Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-10-03
ALEXANDRIA,:
SATURDAY,, OCTOBER 3, 1918.
SPAIN


impressive illustration Of the emptiness and
instability of human grandeur cannot be
imagined than might be supplied by well
drawn comparison between the character
of ihat country and its people at one time OF
their history and that which they now main
tain in the world. This would be felt by
every man who read the annals of nations
10 true moral effect but il is most to be
feared that the venom OF politics too often
prevents us from making the use we ought
of the study of history. Could ii be be-
lieved. except by well versed master oil
that science, that Spain was tor ages as
much greater than any nation in the world,
as any nation in the world is now greater
than her Yet such is the fact. A war OF
little less than eight hundredye duration
against the Saracens, with yery few and
short intervals, nourished in the Spaniards
a vicor of character, love of their coun-
try, and passion for glory, that has never
been surpassed. The necessity OF CONT
nualy engaging formed as many heroes as
were there men among them. While they
lived exposed 10 continual dangers, they
acquired that gravity of department, deli
berate valor, perseverance and diligence,
which long distinguished them. Before the
ambitious and warlike reigns of Ferdinand,
the emperor, and Charles II. the sagacity,
proves, and vigilance of the Spaniards
appeared formidable TO all Europe. Ma
chiavel says, in his account OF the state OF
France, that the French were afraid OF the
Spaniards on those accounts ; and the reigns
lust mentioned continued 10 call forth and
exercise the spirit of the nation, and to sup
port, if not heighten that national character
which had been formed by the wars with
the Moors.-And ills national character
still shone forth with undimnished lustre,
after the Imprudence of its court, and ex-
hausted resources had undermined the foun-
dations of the grandeur Of the empre.--As
prosperous war rouses the genius of ma
ton, the glory Of letters would have cores
pended with that of the Spanish arms, had
not the progress Of taste and knowledge
been checked by the tyranny of the inqui-
siton and the hateful despotism which was
introduced into the government. But al
though these circumstances have prevented
among them the growth of sound phlo-
sophy, in their poetry, their history, their
romances, and their commentaries upon
Aristotle, whose metaphysical notions were
deemed so orthodox by the Catholic church,
we cannot fail To recognize that boldness
and invention, that subtlety and refinement,
which were conspicuous for aeesin the mi
li,ary and political conduct of Spain.
Thus that power of genius and valor OF
the Spaniards, which at once adorned and
disgraced the feeble reign of Philip III.
seems deducibe from a train OF moral
causes. as ohviou, in their existence as po-
tent in their naturc.--At all times genius
and bravery were allowed 20 ennohle the
character Of the Spaniards. Not the robust
German, ;mpelei by the fury OF a savage
religion, displayed such enthusiasm in arms,
and contempt of death, as shonc forth in
the invincible resolution of the inhabitants
of Numantia, Astapa, and Saguntum-nor
did tIat surpass the constancy and courage
they displayed on several occasions during
their cOnyulsive efforts TO throw off the
Of Bonaparte. Where is there
to be pointed out, even in the history Of an
cent Pome, greater hero than Niriatus,
who tor twenty years resisted the Roman
arms, >and was deemed invincible, till he
was insidioasly cut off by his body guards,
who had been bribel for that purpose by
the Romans. Between the times of the |
Scipios and that of Augustus, there inter- |
vened period Of two hundred years, and
during all that time Spain maintained such
a firm contest with the knavish policy and
disciplined bravery Ct Rome that it seemed
doubtful which master the world was to
obey, the Spaniards or the Romans, till
the destiny OF Rome to give law TO the ma
tons nnally subdued all resistance, and
Spain had the glory OF being the last that
yielded 10 the Roman yoke. But it was
the fortune of the vansuished to receive IL
terature and refinement from the conqurors
Of the world and in return, TrajGn, ma
tive of Spain, added glory to the sceptre Of
Rome, and the names OF Quintilian, Mar
LII Mala Incan Sannca aud ElnrmS