Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-26

III st'tlc III ana uiSSeutlpu. ne
Cortes, on its part, will omit no opportunity
tn propose and adopt measures nrcessa5y Tor
the observance IF he constitution and reSio,a-
ton Of trdHquIhty an those countries, TO he elid
that the Span of5oH iCoriiS may Nius form
single and h0ppyJ dndiy"
Although the ultra marine PROVINCES are
not here encouraged to expect absoIHe indie
pendence, yet they no longer treated us
vassal colonies, or threatenedwith sublugation,
but are actually recognized as brothers in the
great constitutional and free family OF Spain.
a report made to the Cortes on the cath OF
June, 1891, by committee appointed by thar
body, not only nanilestly corroborates the
policy above stated, but sufficiently intimates
that the recognition al the Independence Of
Spanish America by Spain herself, had nearly
been the measure recommended by that COM
mittee.
That report ayers, that " tranquility as mol
sufficient, even if it should extend throughout
America, with "A prospect of perranency:
Void fills a!ort ef The aciShes Of The JiicnGSof
humanity"
In speaking of the measure demanded by
the crisis, it says, that this measure was not
only 'car7nly approved by TIE committee, bur,
otrSt, entirely aSseRted to Jy The ministers, with
whom it had been discussed, aud failed ONLY Ia
he proposed by the Cories by these ministers
hart,,g, on account cf pecuti0r occurrences, Su$-
pended their JUDGMENT" 1t speaks of this
measure as indicative of new and glorious re-
solution that il was demanded by America
and the true interests ofthe Peninsula that
from it Spain might reap advantages which
otherwise she could never expect: and that
the tieS Of kindred and the uniformity Of rcIi-
gion, with commtroi0i relations, and those
cmanating from free institutions, would be the
SureSt pledge Of mutual harmony and close UNI
ion.
Your committee do not feel themselves a,i-
thoriZed To say, positively, what that measure
was, but they do not hesitate to declare their
entire conviction that no pleasure, short ui =;
full recognition of unconditional independence,
could have deserved the character, nor been
capable of producing the effects ascrbed to it,
1t Is, therefore, sufficiently manifest that
SPAN, far from wishing 10 call into action her
means of prosecuting hostlties against die
people of Spanish America, has rtnouRcca
eren The feelings Of an enemy to,cords them,
and, but for" peculiar occurrences" had been
prepared, nearly year ago, 10 consent 10 their
independence.
She has not only practically discontinued,
and even emPhatically deprecated, the en-
poyment of force to restore tranquility 10
spanish America. but she has declared that
even uni'erSnl and permanent tranquility
there, falls snort Of the wishes of the friends
of humanity"
While she appeals to the ties OF Kindred
she undoubtedly feels them and if she has
not abandoned her desire, often avowcd, ui
mere constitutional union, and equal CONNER
cia intercourse, with her former colonies, a-;
Iefncen proCinceS q the same empire, Z, union
at'd an Intercourse which Intervening Andes
and oceans seem to render highly inconvtni-
enl, II not utterly impracticahlc, she evidently
refers the accomplishment of,ihs desire to tn,
uGawed deliberations, and 10 the conceui;8
and kindred feelings Of the peorIe of those
colonies, and thus substantially acknowledges
their independence.
Whatever may be the policy of SPAR, how
ever, In respect 10 her former American colo,
MES, our recognition of their independence
can neither affect her rights, nor impair her
means, III the accomplishment of tllat policy.
We cannot, for this, be Justly accused of aid
| ms the attainment OF indcpt ndcnce which
has already been established without our as
sIsiancc. Besides, our recognition must me-
cessarly be co-eXistent only with he fact or
which 1t is founded, and cannot survive it,
While the nations of Spanish America are ac-
iually Independent, it is simply to speak the
truth 10 acknowledge ,hrm to be so.
| Should Spain, contrary to berav0@ed prin-
cipies and acknowledge interests, renew the
war for The conquest of South Amorica, we
shall, indeed, rrgretit, but we shah observe, az
we have dOnr, between the indep ndeDt par
ties, an honest and impartial ncutrdlity but,
on the other hand, should Spaa, faithful to
her own glory and prosperity, consent that
her offspring in the new world should enjoy
the right OF self governments equally with their
brethren in the old, we shall sincerely rejoice
and W. shall cherish. with equ i salts action.and
'culiiyate With equal assiduity, the friendship
ofrcgenerated Spain and Of emancipatcd A.
merica.
Your committee, M Justice to their own
feelings and 10 the feelings Oftheir fellow citl-
4 ZeDs have made this declaration without dis
guisr, Gnd they trust that the uniform cha.
racter and conduct Of Ibis people viii save Is
! from all liability TO misintcrprelatiOn.
Happy IN CIR own institutions, we claim NJ
! privilege we indulge no ambition to extend
! them To other nations; We admit tie equal
rights of all nations 10 form their own govern
ments and 20 administer their own inicrnA
affairs as they may Judge proper add, how
ever they may, in these respects, differ iron,
US, Se do not, Ou that aCcOuat, regard with
the less satisfaction their tranquility and hap
plncss.
fOur committee having thus considered the
subject referred to- them, in III Us aspects,are.
unanimously, Of opinion that il is jsI5i and e..
pedicnt TO acknowledge the indrp &c
the several nations Of Spanish Aincrica with.
out any reference to the diversity IN the forms
of their governments and in accordance with
this opinion, they respectfully submit +he fui-
lowing resolutions:
4 ResoiUed, That tbe House Of Representa-
tites concur IN the opinion expressed by the
President, in his message of the 9Th OF March
1922, that the American provinces of Spain,
which have declared their Independence, and
. orn a.