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

conquering Spain The former country
/ would send Der loo to 200, 900 soldiers TO
| effect that object. And what course was
rec commended for England? She, il seem
/ ed, was not to send soldier to the Fen
| insuIa, but her fleets were 10 seize the
merchant vessels ofFrsnce. Hear, hear.
That was to be the extent of their opera
tions. But il they engaged in war with
France, il would be contest OF that ma
ture 10 which such an Intervention as that
which he bad described could have mo
effect. (Hear The question then was,
what course ought England then to pur-
sue? The government had decided for a
neutral course. Their judgment went
shortly TO these points, "Are you prepar-
ed, looking to all the contingencies, to
enter into this war COW, or to take the
chance Of events by which war may be
prevented? or are you ready to make
war effec,ual TO its objects, instead Of a.
dopting that course which would not ac-
complish lbem?" (Hear. hear.) He wouId
now say few words on topic which
had been adverted to by several noble
Lords in the course OF the debate, and
more particularly by the noble Lord who
moved the mendment-namely, the gen.
eral policy o! the country. The decla-
ration OF l808-S was OF very great i'm.
ports nee, as it affected the general policy
OF thi. country, not only With reference
to the present case, but with respect to
the general conduct of our government.
The noble Lord said, the question was
"whether we should walk in the train Of
despotism. or appear as the protectors OF
constitutional liberty?" Now the policy
Of this country was stated in the circular
OF the late Marquis Of Londonderry, Of
the 9lst of January. 1892. The principle to
which II referred was that OF democracy On
one side; and OF arbitrary power Oh
the other. That subject had never before
been brought TO such a point a. ii was
IN that unfortunate circular II stated very
distinctly on what principle this govern
ment intended to act. He had then de-
clared. and he felt it necessary, in the
present crisis of the world, again TO do so,
thai, looking to the state of Europe-look
ing 10 the bearings OF what were called IL
beral principles 10 different states mark
ing the extremes to which they bad untor.
Iunately been carried in this country Of
Spain-and in consequence OF which sx'
tremes be maintained that any person
who desired Inc amelIoration Of those con-
stitutions, 50 far from being An enemy to
liberty. was really friend TO the con.
tended, looking to those principles, and
to the principles Of the British constitu.
uon. which was a compromise between
The principles Of democracy and that Of
monarchy that IN this conflict Of opinion,
the neutral course was the proper course.
(Hear, he He felt the danger that
would accrue to this country by lending
itself to either side on this question
They might think that justice lay on the
one side or on the other according to The
particular special case that was laid be-
fore them but without considering what
the interest Of his country might require.
il did appear to him that the wisest and
safest policy was to keep free from either
extreme. Happy in the enjoyment OF
their own constitution, they ought to
make the world feel that they duly appre
cisted its benefits. Hear, hear. Amid
die course was the proper one tor them to
pursue. They ought not to act as the a.
bet,ors of despotism on the one hand, nor
the supporters OF wild and impracticable
theories on the other. There was one
very serious consideration connected with
this subject: was, what might be the
effect of our taking part in this contest,
with reference to other cases which might
grow out of IT With respect to the for
eign policy Of this country, they ought.
when deciding on that point, to inquire
what was their own interest? The ques-
ton was, whether it was or was not tor the
interest Of this teun ~ 10 20 10 war on
account OF Spain He believed that ques-
ton, if put thus shortly, would be answer.
ed 10 the negative by SO out Of every 100
individuals IN this country II Hear. y
What might grow out OF the contest be.
tween France and Spain no man could say,
II was the duty of this country TO be pre-
pared TOR any thing that might occur: but
al present il was mere question OF
chance, chance OF preserving peace at
least equal to the chance OF gong to
war. tHear