Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-08-13

narchs for ages past, enkipdled the flames of
that neNtingushable rage, thai, at this mo
ment burns 18th such fury in both these great
aud powerful nations. No human foresight
can predict the fatal consequences to unborn
millions from The casual incuIsion we now
permit 10 be made into the Spanish territories.
Man is too prone to proudly contemn the dis
tant danger, aud to undervalue others /; il has
become caut to speak contumeIioasly OF the
SpauiardS, though hourly experience demOl-
straies the falsity of The caumuy. In after
times, when our species has multiplied upon
this continent, snfhclcnt TO bill every region
with inhabitants, II spirit of national ammo
sity Is fostered by mutual injuries, the Anglo
American and Spanish Mexican people will
exhaust their hnarces in destructive inroads
upon each other; aud the future history of
these nations like that of Rome and Carthage.
Rome and Persia, and that of France aud En-
gland, will be a tissue OF folly and crimes
The apparent indifference with which the go
vetnment and people OF The United States
have beheld the changes in Spanish America,
Is really IA subject of wonder. We seem TO re-
gard with apathy, the incipieni Osements Of
nation. which, IN future Times, must have the
closest interest in common, or the most vio-
leni rivalry, with our own.
When u rs reflected, that the effect that ma
tons have upon each other, really depends bat
itiie, upon their respective forms or govern
ment il may he IA subject OF minor impor-
lance To us, whether Mexico and the internal
provinces should become IL republic, or mo-
iiaichy. Men, under all forms OF civil socie-
", are prone To war, rapiNe and violence
Nose, tumnlt and revenge are cougeDial to
the human heart; and IL demands all the res
traints OF power, th' aluiemeuts of society,
and the accustomed sweets OF repose, to pre-
serve the world from eternal strife. Tie best
knowledge philosophy can instil, aud the best
uuiy that legislation can impose, or man can
practice, is The principle of universal benevo-
| lcHce towards not his own countrymen alone,
but also the whole human race. Ii is OF pri-
mary importance, that in America man should
Pfohtf from the sanguiiiary lessons that the ira
gic history OF the east have afforded. Those
know but little of human nature, or its utter
eSts who teach the necessity of distrust. The
dissmulation, hatred and envy natural to hti-
mdn beings. will always produce amp'e nstan
ces 10 put ms on our guard against each other.
Nations, like individuals, have "A tendency to
mallspity. The most desolating wars have
been undertaken as much II not more from re-
Venge than ambition
Ii 10 engender confidence FRIENDSHIP and re-
| ciprocai forbearance. be anindispensabe duty,
| IN those who regulate the conduct, or who
'oim the morals OF prlvats persons ;how much
more incumOentis the obligation on the rulers
oil nationS, TO preserve and foster spirit of
| anity, probity, and urbanity, betw cen contigu-
| Gus states. The unlicensed plundeIer, er ma
RAIDER, that roams, at this moment, from the
United States into Texas. prevents or retards
the peaceable approach towards general in
tercouise. Against Spain, the Udited States
| may have complaints that would warrant deci-
slVe measures, but with the natives of Mexico
or the Prormcids Internes, Internal ProvinceS,)
our government has never been involved -
The idea Of one nation having. either the right
To attempt, or the power TO effect, BY force a
ny beneficial change III the condition of auo-
tner, deserves contempt. The established o.
pnIons and customs OF nations. are too sinh
porn 10 yield all Instant submission TO reason
clad IN Its most seductive attire-mDcl less to
fail PROSTATE before foreign armed force.
. Inc relative position Of the two great boz
dies OF civilized men Oh this continent is pc
h..f,t
| ana civil government present an interesting
| contrast. Ia the United States, from the an.
| cient establishments, coeval with the settle
inent OF the country, there is difiused into the
oouy OF the society, an extensive political
knowledge, strong sense OF right, and
Wakeiul attention 10 the couduct of men i'm
! ONCE. Religion, however il may conduce 10
amend ,he heart, oppressive the moral princ-
pies, rather tends TO weak en-. than enforce a
spirit OF independence !; but in the British CO.
ionies, 10y single diversity frsm common oc-
currence, even religion inspired strong on
position TO the encrOachments OF power. The
ioeriy OF ihe press though often tending to
righteousness, by continually reviving reflec-
IONS Oh pubic affairs, exciies universal attep-
tiOn TO passing events. No measure of gov
| eminent can remain secret, or free from scrH-
tiny' consequently The people and their off,
| GERS stand continually in awe Of each other
ihe trial by jury, by constantly calling into
| courts OF Justice, the common individuals of
society, instii amongst them knowledge of
.he complications of property, and The subtle
| Ties of legal disquisitions. This so much and
| IN many respects justly boosted mode of trial
possesses no one advantage, however, so une-
qniVocal over other forms of distrihuiive JUS
tee, as Tie informationit superinduces in So
cIeties OF It's duties and tights.
ihe extensive commerce always cnsyed nv
the United States, has enhanced the value of
Landed, and created a vast accession of per
sonai property ;-and has gwen the whole
community hopes OF wealth, aud asprandize-
he he IL
from its great profits, has carried the fondness
for show, luxury, aud accumulation, into the
remotest region of our empire--ln fine. no
people perhaps ever possessed so exteusiy civ
| the benefits arising from independence of sen,
| timent, unceasing enquiry, and possession of
wealth, as do the inhabitants Of the United
States whilst they have, and must continue to
suffer the evils, and ENJOY tile benefits of unli-
| ceused expression Of opinion, which controls
and oVerawes pubic men; hui, also, freunept
~ distracts public men We must, also, feel the
denioralIzIns consequences Of sudden accunu-
| latiOn of wealth,
| The people of New Spain, are as different
| from those OF the United States, az the circum.
| stances OF their history are variant At the
PTa of the discovery of America the power of
| SPAIN had greatly augmented the different
1 Kingdoms that had formerly existed on the
| Spanish Peninsula, had been united by uarri-
| age, conquest, and Other casualties iuto two
| states; Portugal, and the one who from its
| superior power, and extent oftierfitcry. had at
| that lime assumed, and ever since preserved
| the prominent appellation Of Spain. But a
spirit of enquiry in the sciences. al enIighten-
| ed, liberal system of government, and COM
! meTce, had never been introduced among the
| Spaniards. Slavsh submission to the power
/ of their manarchS ard prelates, gradually OBJ
| liberated all traces of that freedom, their con-
| situation Inherited from its Gothic origin
| i hOush rather more liberty was ciuoyed i'm
! TIE colonies, than in the mother country. the
d neTeuce infavOr eff the former, proceeded
mCre from Tie local position OF distant, and TN.
| connected settlements, iRaU from any legal
| compact, either dtciafatiye, OF tacit, between
! the public iUnctioparies aud the people,