The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-05-23
THE STATE OF EUROPE.

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arrivals from Europe fnlcd 10 bring con
hrmailou ofth declaration faarby France
against Spain. AID the commencement of
hustillties. Because their confident predle-
lions have been disappointed, that the war
had actually begun, and the capital of Spain
IRE tins occupied by the French iorces,so
of the journals now insist oD H. there will
heuo war. We feel disposed To ascrihe the
delay 10 ether causes. and t0percelsc III II,
an increase of hostility, aud desire OF fur
taer and storn.r preparation. This war is
dictated by none Of those accidental aud
transient causes, which, originating VA tri-
fles, the personal riyalslip of inonarchs, or
the pique, the jealousy and resentment of
their fa,ouriles, have so often dcs0latcd Eu-
ripe with blood. Mar is it undertaken 10
establish the memorable, bat visionary po-
liry OF Queen Elizabeth aud Henry the 4th,
who sought to protect the Independence Of
ailnallons, by forming and preserving d
balance Of power, ,nd whlch iar nearly two
centuries involved Europe IN iocessant
wa So ol rs il yet dictated by the desire
ol ,ctritorld conquest and acquisitions
Dat II is produced by The same fears of the
extension OF liberal principles, Y the colse-
qaeut overthrow al the ancient SYSTEMS OF
.Eur.ye, which from the commencement Of
ine French revolution, to the linal expulsion
OF Bonararte,,rr.lp ita,rd uiitrdEWope up
VI the devoted republic ol France. THIS war
has not been suddenly determined on, 4 will
not, therefore, be lightly abandoned. Il is
not The peculiar Offspring Of French policy,
bnt the Joint conclusion of thr Holy ALI
Ance. II Will NOT be commenced simply,
To- rr,nyest Ferdinand the 1tl, IN the pfrro-
gatis,-s al which he has been shorn by the
republican spirit of his Cortcs, but to re-
press every where the spread OF political
illumination, to ehdstise she daring leaders of
spanish re5ruerailon, and strike Il terror lll-
10 that desire uf revohdiru whoa "A known
t1 have lis secret and nuncrous adherents
Ia every corner of Europe. From her To-
catty, France has been srlrcledby the Al
ltanee' to begin the war, IA the prosecution
OF whseh, # necessary, all of lis members
are feahy' assist. II wohre right Ia these
specalaleps, II the motives of thls war have
not been furnished by temporary causes,
which could be removed Without aD APP
peal 10 Tie sw"ra, hy compromise or nego-
fIaiion--and IL il is rendered necessary, by
~'f', y ''N'' VI F'h' Which plhP'Sf9 "
rtiain mankind In perpetual sassti4ge aud
degradation, our conclusion lhat war will
TAKE place, is inevitable -Many cunsidcra-
tons may Interfere 10 rctard lis commence
mrni--it seems Ia Us that il eau only cer-
tflnlt be prevented by one event, and pos
sbly by two others.
Tue hrst OF these IS, the removal of the
'catlsc Of war, by the unconditional submits
sion Of tbe Spanish people to the terms Of
the Holy Alliance. In Judging Of the proba-
ole course el SPUN IN her present emergcn-
-cy, We can only appeal for information 10
The national character OF the people, and 10
the spirit which seems to animate her
councils. Or the two, the first IS probably
the safest criterion, and unless that char.
aeter has materially altered, the phian.
thropist has every thing 10 nope from lis
ancient dlgnity, pride and gallautry. uniil
TIE age of Charles the 9th, the Spaliards
Were more tenacious OF theirpolitlcal rights
ana enloyed more ,praeucal liberty than
any people ia EeSupe. The subtle policy
OF That Emperor, assisted by the Goods OF
wealth wtirli brgun to pou~ IN fre,a the
newly discovered mines of America, sue
Needed Ia envvatine that manly spirit
winch was ever ready To assert its rough
ana violent Independence, indilIcrently "a
gainst the oppression Of native refers and
tllt aggression of foreign invadcrs-Natu-
Faliy INDECENT from the facilitating tempe
Failure OF their climate, and the abundant
fertility of their sol,enervated by the train
of luxurirs which the wealth OF The world
introduced into their country aud degra
drd by Centuries Of submission to the most
abseHle tepporai and spiritual bondage,
tiiefe IS jet no reason ~ believe that the
opaaIards have forfeited their pretentions
70 boast of their lofty descent, aud the he
Ioic chiyalry oftheir ancestors, or that they
cannot be reused to corresponding eaergy,
oy the presence and influence Of a great
nalianal crisis. The devotion ofthe Span-
iards has induced them to submit with hu.
nifty to n superstition and a priesthood,
winch they firmly believed were given 10
them by the immediate act ol cod himself,
and Their hlga sense OF loyalty aud honour
to adhere with mistaken consistency, in its
weakness and ITS drsputsn, TO a govern
menf chosen by their ancestors. But err
rvr must ultimately yield 10 truth, and the
events VI the last fifty years, which have 80
rapidly accelerated the march of political
knowledge Throughout cIristendom, can
mol fail 10 ha.e dispeleo much of the rei-
gious and political darkness which 50
a .eply cnseloped Spain. Once informed
Of their rights aud their Injuries. the haugh-
~ pride of their character will impeI them
To action, their devotion 10 honor will sup
ply them with courage, AND their gravity
WI. un5ieidiDg perseverance,. These pr :
diciohs arr strengthened by the gallant re
sis3gncc made against the Overwhelming