Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-06-17

All tnROttdut QuSsuUu Itstil
10 the minds of Ministers; whether they
were to stand forward to protect the Con
sitution OF Spain agains. which part OF
the Spanish people were arrayed, or whe.
tber they were called on to act, in conse.
suence OF the mode in which that Constitu-
ton bad been externally interfered with {?
The Noble Earl bad said, that he was for
peace. So was be Lord Liverpool.} T. so
be though; every man should be. But then
came the question-"Will you rem ain long
at peace" He would say that a great
country like this should always be prepar-
ed for war. He was ready to admit, that
when war arose in any part OF Europe,
particularly in countries so contiguous to
them as France and Spain, such contin-
gencies might happen that England should
be prepared for war. But if he were to
look al this question with reference TO the
interests of the country land what other
view should he take OF it,) be would en-.
quirs, before he adopted positive evil,
what were the chances OF war occurring?
II was on question OF that sort that the
proprety OF going to war must be discuss
ed. He knew very we'll that small pre-
sent danger might be incurred for The pur-
pose OF escaping greater evil at future
period. That bad always been consider
ed sound policy. But the question here
was-"What are the chances OF war -
The noble Earl seemed to think that
France would acquire dominion over SPAN
as easily as he Lord Liverpool) could
move from one part Of that house to ano-
Their. This vas not correct view OF the
case; and before he came TO any such con-
cIusiOn, he would ask, "What are the
chances OF war being carried on success
fully" What would France get by her
endeavor to make conquest OF Spain?-
He would answer absolutely nothing; IN
less the whole country rose in their favor
IA circumstance which no person could
contemPlate-5ut which, If it happened,
must entirely alter the whole question:
The noble Earl did not seem TO reflect
on the situation OF Spain. That country
was nearly as large as France; Astounding
in military positions-and, from its noun
famous nature, the strongest state perhaps
in Europe. IL was different in every re
spect from Poland, to which the noble
Lord had adverted. The virtues, and e..
ven what might be deemed the defects OF
Spanish character, gave to the latter peo-
pie greater me ans OF defence and resist
ance than could be found in any other
country in Europe. What. then, was the
prospect of France obtaining that sort OF
forclble dominion over Spain; which would
not be Iuinous, but might be pre}udicial
10 this country? He stated. on the first
day OF the session, that abhorring this war
between France and Spain, be looked at
il with more apprehension as II regarded
France than as II respected Spain He
considered the success OF France as most
unlikely, and he looked, With great ap
prehension, TO The eff, cts which the con-
test would produce on France, if her arms
did not succeed II was said, that France
would take the chance OF assuming do
-minion in Spain; and then came the ques
tion-was there any reason to suppose
that that dominion could possibly CONT
nue.? They were told that the Preach ar
my was to pay for all its provisions; and
that IL was to be provided with extensive
supplies from France. Now be must say,
that if France chose TO adhere to that po>
licy land he knew OF no other which she
could pursue,) II would be completely ru-
inous, and she would soon be placed in
such situation as would put il out OF her
power TO modest any other state. When
in 1909 and 1910 the war in the Peninsu-
Ia was going on, he had said to those who
despouded--'Lookt to the extent of Spain,
look 10 her resources The same thing
which occurred to US with respect 10 our
North American Colonies, will now take
place in Spain. France may get posses
sion of some positions, but she will not
be able to bold Jingle point, except. what
is occupied By her armies Hear hear
That opinion proved TO have been a cor
rect one: and he thought the same thing
was likely to turn out IN the present case,
with this difference, which should never
be lost sight OF, that 10 l809-lO, Span
was a united country; but that now u was
a d,pided one. (Hear.) Therefore the
question really came TO this, not what the
conquest would be worth II II were gam
ed, but what was the probability of lts be
ing gained? That point must be hrs' DE
cided The next question was, whether
II would not be better tor this country TO
remain at peace. taking the chance OF the
failure OF the French force rather than
rashly to encounter the evils aud incOnve.
niences of war? He was puzzled at the
course OF policy advocated by the noble
Earl He could understand those who
( sald-'You formerly took part in the
war of the Peninsula, and you came on,
of it glorIousiy, by driving the French
from that country. Having done so, will you
now suffer France TO exercise dom'nioI
over that people!' He thought very pow
ful appeal might be made to the Judgmen
as well as the feeling Of the British PEG
pie on that score. But let not Parliament
tribe with the question. Ii it were the
policy of this country to assist Spain, u
must be done with all the means IN then
power. They must send an army there