The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-12-11

character, contendlng IN favour OF their
liberties, should produce that great ex-
citemeDt and sympathy 10 their favour.
which have been so signaliy displayed
throughout the United States. A strong
hope is entertained that these people
will recover their independence, and re-
sumo their eqsal station among the ma
tons of the earth.
A great effort has been made in
Spain and Portugal, to improve the con-
dition of the people; and it must be very
consoling to all benevolent minds, to see
The extraordinary moderation with which
1t has been conducted. That it may pro-
mote the happiness of both nations, is
the ardent wish of this whole people, to
the expression of which we confine our.
selVes-for, whatever may be the feel
lngs OF sentiments, which every indi-
Vldual under our government has right
TO indulge and express, it is nevertheless
sacred maxim, equally with the GOV
eminent and people, that the destiny of
every independent nation, in what re-
lates to such improvements, of right
belongs, and ought to be left, exclusive
ly TO themselves.
whether we reason from the late
wars, or from those menacing symptoms
which now appear in Europe, il is man
itest, that, if a CONFUSION should take
place in any of those countries, it will
proceed from causes which have no ex-
islence, and are utterly unknown in
these Statess in which there is but one
order, that Of the people, TO whom the
sovereignty exclusively belongs. Should
war break out in any ofthose countries,
who can foreteI the extent to which il
may be carried, or the desolation which
it may spread! Exempt as we are from
these causes, our internal tranquility is
secure; and, distant as we are from the
troubled scene, and faithful to Just prin-
ciples, in regard 10 other powers, we
might reasonably presume that we
should not be molested by them. This,
however, ought not to be calculated on,
as certain. UnProvoked injuries are
often inflicted, and even the peculiar fe-
licity of our situation, might, with some,
be cause for excitement and aggres-
sion. The history of the late wars in
Europe furnishes complete demonstra-
ton, that no system of conduct, how
ever correct in principle, can protect
neutral powers from injury from any
! party; that defenceless position, and
distinguished love of peace, are the
| surest invitations to war and that there
is no way to avoid it, other than by be-
ing always prepared and willing, for
| just cause, TO meet it. If there be peos
pie on earth, whose more especial duty
it is to be at all times prepared to defend
the rights with which they are blessed,
and to snrpass all others in sustaining
the necessary burtbens,+ and in submit
ting to sacrifices, to make such prepara-
tons, it is undoubtedly the people Of
these States.
When we see that civil war of the
most frlghtiul character, RACES from the
Adratick to the Black Sea; that strong
symptoms of war appear in other parts,
proceeding from causes, which, should
It break out, may become general, and
be OF long duration; that the war still
continues between Spain and the indie
pendent governments, her late provin-
ces, IN this hemisphere-that it is like
| wise menaced between Portugal and
Brazil, in consequence of the attempt of
the latter to dismember itself from the
former and that system of piracy, OF
| great extent. is maintained in the neigh
! bourlng seas, which will require equal
vigilance and decision to suppress it, the
reasons for sustaining the attitude which
we now hold, and for pushing forward
all our measures of defence with the ut.
most vigour, appear to me to acquire
new force.
The United States owe TO the world
a great example, and, by means thereof,
to the cause Of liberty and humanity,
generous support. They have so far
succeeded, to the satisfaction of the vir-
tuous and enlightened of every country;
there is no reason to doubt, that their
whole movement will be regulated by
sacred regard to principle, all our insti-
tutions being founded on that basis. The
ability to support our own cause, under
any trial to which it may be exposed, is
the great point on which the puhlick
solicitude rests. 1t has been often
charged against free governments, that
they have neither the foresight nor the
virtue to provide, at the proper season,
great emergencies that their course