The Wilmingtonian., 1823-12-25
From the London Courier Of Nov. 10.

view our sentiments upon the South Ame-
rcan States as breathing either war or de-
6ance. 1t is policy upon which we con-
tend, other European powers nave no
right to interfere with us-nor do we pre-
tend to interfere with them.-They may
or may not acknowledge and treat with
those states that is their business. Butt
they cannot Justly complain OF our exerc'-
sing the same privilege. And here, in or
der to clear away the ground OF some oo-I
jections that have been urged, we must de-
ire the public to bear this in mind-that
it is not the case of an incipient insurrcc-
ton Of the colonies against the parent
,tate-that it is not struggle IN which,
the power of one side is balanced by the
other, and the issue doubtful-it is not al
case in which third party stepping in,|
turns the scale and decides the conflict mi
favor Of the side to which it carries its
weight. 1t bears no resemblance to thel
case of our American colonies, when
France and Spain interfered; the conflict
lis decided, the issue is arrived, and SpalnI
lis not more divided by the seas from herI
ancient possessions than she is by thelr|
respective institutions; nor has she morel
sovereignty over them than we had over|
France, though we continued to bear the
empty title Of her king. The question has
been we'll put by one Of our cotemporarles:
|" As to independence, the question is, att
rest, the states are free; the acknowledge
ment by Spain is not worth straw to-
England-all colonies are de Jure sove-
reign states, the moment in which they
achieve their independence, de ,facto.-
This, for the clearest of all reasons--be-
cause the foundation of their allegiance is
their enjoyment of protection from the
parept state. When the colonies cease to
fIwant protection they are no longer bound
to pay the price of it: and this is one of a
''Iclass of cases in which power becomes the
-evdence of right"
/, This is what we wish to lay down. The
South American states are to all ntents
, and purposes free and independent States,
with which any other State may treat and
tnegocate, and form alliances, without any
fviolation of treaty or good faith towards
q ANY other Power.
!. But it is said, Spain has not acknowledg
i led their independence, and therefore 'yo'
= are guilty of au attack upon her sovereign
Ity.' Indeed! Letus see the absurdity tt
;, which this position would lead. Th'
;. South American States might have esta
D. blished, as they have, their independence
6 might have exercised all the acts of
= sovereign and independent power-msh
have entered into commercial and politl
|cal relations with other nations-Spail
70 would not be able to take any step, to d.
: any act, calculated to resume her forme
a., authority over the States, OF to arrest for
!; moment the march and exercise oftheir in
y eldependence---nay, might remain total
- linactice and supine; yet, because she r,
:" fused to acknowledge them as free State
we are to refuse all intercourse, all pol
tical relations with them whatever! VIII
=; does not every one see the utter absur,
;;,,lity of such reasoning, if reasoning it ca
4 . be called?
y But we are told of a congress Of Eur
- pean powers to settle the fate of the Am
.clrcan colonies. We shonld like to 81
w. what sort of a preamble such a congre
'"' would draw up to their deliberations
=. /" Whereas a certain tract of country son
III thousands of miles distant from EuroE
,rt v containing about 100000 square league
,"a w. and population Of seventeen million
90 's' has determined that it will be governed
30, 80 its own Institutions, and will no long
~ continue in dependence (Which they
l;c not want and which is injurious to the
So 'a best interests) upon nation containir
~, ~" a5, 900 square leagues, and ten millions
g. ,n inhabitants We, the Powers of EuroT
-. ,;,,, are assembled in Congress to devise t
"" best means of putting an end to SO uns;
Iisfactory situation Of affairs, and of CO
'as 40 Guiding some arrangement that will
; -; more congenial to the policy, &c. &C.. !"
No. No. Congress may deliberate and delibera
''e pass protocol upon protocol, multiply CO
u, ference upon conference, but what wou
oI, the seventeen millions on the other ST
-" of the Atlantic say? Or what means wou
b;s the Congress possess of enforcing their
.i'a M ldictss TO frame resolutions which y
,.o ,n have no means OF executing, or, to use
Wv old proyerb, "to shew your teeth VIII
=. YOU cannot bite" is, in private concer
,';sL aa, not a very wise proceeding; but in pub
vain matters, in the intercourse between nato
lad not only idle, but positively dangerous.
'"' We think the continental powers "
:. ac pause before they hold any such congre.
!, o ~ but whether they do or not, we shall n
was tb ar ha a Darfv to it. nor send a Minis