Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-08-21

:
in which he was engaged. Represented !
to him that be alone must be answerable |
for all the consequences of war; TO avoid
which proposed TO him to convene the
principal inhabitants of Lima, and to re-
present TO them the sincere wish Of the
government of Chill and of the United
Provinces, to accede to the declaration
of their rights, and to allow themto adopt
such a form government as they should
decree, promising that | would submit
to their decisions, which would regulate
my operations. This liberal proposition
was rejected with contemptuous threats,
and am thus driven by justice and COM
mon right to the last resort of force
The blood which shall be shed in this
conflict, will recoil ON the tyrants and
their proud satellites.
| The sincerity ofmy intentions has been
equally conspicuous since the battle Of
Chacabuco. The Spanish army was
completely defeated. Chill declared
herself an Independent state, and her in
habitants began to enjoy in safety their
property and the fruits of liberty. This
example is the surest pledge of my con-
duct. The tyrants accustomed to mis-
represent facts in order TO light the torch
OF discord, have unblushingly asserted
that the moderation of the victorious
army In Chill, was prompted only by
their interest. BE it SO. Does it not
prove that our interest is in unison with
the liberty Of the people? Can there be
a safer foundation for confidence? The
| effect doubtless will be the expulsion OF
the tyrants from Lima; and as the result
of victory, the capital of Peru will be-
hold, for the first time, her citizens as
sembling to adopta government Of their
| free choice, and to take their seat among
the nations of the earth. The union of
the three Independent states will inspire
Spain with a sentiment of her imbecility,
and all other nations with respect Let
a central congress, composed of the re-
representatives. from the new states, inpart
new yigor TO their respective organiza-
tons, and let the constitution of each
state be established in the midst of in
ltelligence, Of concord, and of universal
hope.-1he annals Of time exhibit no
revolution SO splendid in its obiect,.so
Indispensable to a people, SO illustrious
in the united wishes of SO many hearts
| Let us follow with confidence the
bright career which destiny untolds to
us. Under the empire of new laws and
new authorities, the same activity which
achieved the revolution, will sustain US
in every species of labor, and multiply
the blessings Cd. society. In the FIRST days
of peace the ruins which these grand
political commissions shall have spread
over the continent, shall become like
volcanic lava, which in time fertilizcs
the same fields over which it has roll.d
its devastating torrents. Then shall
your land smile in all the luxuriancy of
nature-then shall splendid cities arise
embellished with the monuments of arts
and science-then shall commerce
spread his benign influence over the i'm
mcnse regions nature has allotted to us.
Americans the armies of an insolent
tyrant spread terror among a people
whom they Cypress; but those have
the honor to command, compelled to
fight against tyranny, promise only friend
ship and protection to their brethren, and
wish only to deliver them from bondage. |
| pledge my sacred honor for the faith
full fulfilment of this promise. have
made known to you my intentions and my
duty-your conduct will show whether
you know your own, and whether you
deserve to be as the true sons of Peru.
European Spaniards come not for
your destruction. / come not to spread
devastation. The object of the war is to
protect the honest and peaceful inhabi-
tants, and to promote their welfare
Your future happiness depends on the
prosperity and independence of America.
You are sensible that Spain is reduced
to the last stage of weakness and corrup-
ton. The revenues are exhausted; the
state is burthened with an enormous
debt, and, what is still worse, terror and
distrust forming the basis of her public
measures, have reduced the nation to
state of gloomy pusillanimity and mute
dependency. The liberty of Peru alone
can afford you retreat. Who of you is
without friends in America? 1t depends
only on yourselves to constitute a family
OF brothers. Respect to persons, to pro-
perry, and to the holy catholic faith, arc
the principles Of the United Provinces,
and these now solemnly guarantee.
Inhabitants of Peru The eyes of all
the world are fixed upon you. You will
destroy the prejudices which have ex-
listed against you for nine years. Should