Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-20
BY LAST EVENINGS MAIL.
From the Baltimore Gazette.
BOLIVAR AND THE CONSTITUTION
OE ROIINIA

OF BOLIVIA.
BOLIVIA is Upper Peru; which took that
name in honor Of Bolivar. who at the head of
Colombian Army, liberated it from the domin-
ion of Spain-It is composed of the Depart
ments Of Potosi, Chuquisaca, La Paz, Santa
Cruz, Cochabamba and Oruro. Since the ex-
pulsion Of the Spaniards, it seems not to have
determined, permanently, on any form of gov
eminent; bit to have edopled some rude and
| imperfect features of representation, and to
have entrusted almost unlimited authority to
Bolivar, under the title Of Dictator. At length
however, convinced Of the necessity of fixed
fundamental laws, the Legislative Body were
empowered to frame a Constitution-Unre
hitting in his attention to their interest, and
possessed, no doubt of all that knowledge of
their situation, character and wants, which such
design supposes, Bolivar has drawn up a
Constitution for them himself, and offered it to
their consideration. 1t is very different, as he
remarks in the address pre6xed to it, from all
preceding ones; containing propositions which
al first starte and alarm the republican ear; and
il has been almost universally reprobated in this
| country. The most improper motives have
| been attributed to him, and conclusive proof of
| the imputatons has been found by the suspi-
ciJus, in every recent event in South-Amerlca--
| From lifting him TO the side Of Washington,
| they have overthrow his statues anG ranked
him with the Catiines and Syllas. He is, ac-
cording to them, no longer the Liberator of
Colombia, Bolivia and Peru, but a siddy child
| of Fortune, turned Usurper, and the dark Sc
cret author OF all the dissatisfaction, revolls and
| dssentions that are tearing the bosom OF the
Southern Continent, and carrying dismay and
anxiety to the heart of every true friend Of re-
publican liberty. Formerly they hailed him
the Architect Of those free institutions, and
now they denounce and curse him as their de-
| slroyer.
But we are not Of their opinion-our conf
dcnce in Bolivar is still unimpaired-We still
| consider him, as long have done, as skHJul
General an intrepid Patriot an enlightened CHI
GEN. and distinguished Statesman. In examin-
ect MS situation. He is not in the midst Of a
people like ourseIves-it is not for such he e
gislates The people Of those countries served
no apprenticeship Of freedom. They passed
suddenly from under despotie Monarch, and
the mos, despotic and illiberal customs in the
world, to the unrestricted exercise Of the right
Of self government, and to the use and enjoy
| ment Of all that had been denied TO them before.
| There was no dawn to their day Of liberty, as
to ours: they came from the dungeon Of despo-
tism into the blaze Of the meridian Sun. 1t is
not at all surprising that they should be feeble
and blind Under our colonial government,
| and in the contemplation OF the British institu-
lions, we were taught what freedom was, how
it is best procured, how enjoyed, how maintain
ed. Our revolution, therefore, was Psaceable,
| like the gradual operation of natural causes.
1t was the work Of men we'll acquainted with
the subject; the premeditated substitution OF a
| better thing TO worse; the skilful demolition
of an edi6ce, that another might be erected in
! It's place. But The Revolution of South Ameri-
ca was an earthquake, overthrowing all, con-
founding all. And Notwithstanding the high
a,tainments Of certain indivi6u ais, and the fa-
vorabie disposition Of the rest, many year
must elapse before those nations can practice
what they nesive, and initiate what they adj
mire. They will have to go through their
| course of studies in the school Of adversely. SO
| far from being surprised at what is happening
| among them, we should wonder how they re-
manned SO long at peace, in their novel and
| imperfect institutions. The great body Of the
people are entirely ignorant, and particularly
so of republican forms and notions. Genera
tons must pass, before they can have imbibed
the true republican spirit. Republcanism is a
feeling, when excited; But when at rest, it is a
habit. lime, therefore, must form ii in them.
No doubt there are many eminent men, superb
or to the others IN this respect But the mass
they have 10 move is vast and incoherent and
they have to control and moderate, as we'll as
move it. They are much divided, too, among
themselves, entertaining various and conflict ting
opinions on the mos, eligible form Of govern
ment. In revolutions like theirs, the mind set
free from restraint, runs wild for time, and in
dulges in extravagant ideas. The wisest men
besldes, are not always those that are heard on
such occasions. All these causes impede the
subsiding of the tumult, and prevent affairs
from assuming that tranquil state towards
which they tend.
Consequently, in comparing our forms Of go
yernment and opinions with tn Sc of South
America, or examining the conduct Of distin-
guished individuals there, we shoule no, pro-
nounce too harshly their condemnation, but
make allowances for the difference Of condtion,
and wait patiently for "the birth Of fate
In the mean time, we have thought, a few
remarks on the constitution proposed by Boil
var, may be useful as well as interesting. They
may induce US to suspend our judgment, and
not condemn precipitately and without hear
ing man, whose patriotism and abilities have
| heret ofore seemed so pure and so exalted