Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-05-13

V. j Bradley, p. NJ. Jsd10PeHceTkHe ff2'f'ff'f' ..
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Ertracts Of letter fran Mr.. ,4auats
Secretary Of STATE, 10 nr Emerson,
Minister Plenihotentiary TO Coiomtia,
dated 27sh May, 1928.
"The revolution which has severed
the colonies of Spanish America frem
European thraldom, and LEFT them 10
form self-dependent governments as
members of the society OF civilized ma
tions,is among the most important evsnts
in modern history. AS a general move
ment in human affairs, it is perhaps no
more than development OF principles
FIRST brought into action by The separation
of these States from Great Britain, and
by the practical illustration given in the
formation and estsblishm ent oil our y nion,
to The doctrine tina, voluntary agreemen,
is the only legitimate source OF authori-
ty among men; and that all just govern.
ment is compact. 1t was impossible
that such system as Spain had establish
ed over her colonies, should stand before
the progressive improvement OF the un-
Outstanding in this age, or that the light
shed upon the whole earth by the results
Of our Revolution should leave in utter
darkness the regions Immediately adjo;n-
ing upon ourselves. The independence
of the Spanish colonies, however, has
proceeded from other causes, and has
been achieved upon principles in many
respects dlfieren, from ours. In our
revolution the principle OF the social
compact was from the beginning, in i'm
mediate issue. 1t originated in ques-
ton of right, between the government in
Europe and the subject in America
Our INDEPENDENCE was declared in de-
fence oil our liberties, and The attempt TO
make The yoke yoke of oppression was
the cause and justification for casting 1t
off.
The revolution Of the Spanish colo
MES was not caused by the oppression
under which they had been held, howev.
er great it had been. Their indepen.
dence was first forced upon them by the
temporary subjuga,ion of Spain herself
to foreign power. They were by thai,
event, cast upon themselves. and COM
PEELED to establish governments Of their
own. Spain, through all the viscissi-
tudes Of her own revolutions, has chung
TO the desperate hope, OF retaining, or OF
rec laimlng them TO her own control and
has waged, 10 the extent OF her power, a
disastrous war 10 that intent. In the mind
Of every rational man, it has been for
wears apparent that Spain can never
succeed TO recover her dominion where
j, has been abjured, nor is it probable
that she can long MAINTAIN / he small rem
nant OF her authority ys, acknowledged
in some spots OF the South American
continent.
The political course of the United
States, tromlhe first dawnng OF South
American independence, has been SUCH
. as was prescribed by their relative dn-
ties to all the parties. Being on terms
OF peace and amiy with Spain through
all the changes Of her own government, ;
they have considered the strugg les ot the
colonies for independence as case Of
civil war, to which their national obliga-
lions prescribed to them to remain neu-
trail. Their policy, their interest, and
their feelings, all concurred to favor the
cause Of The colonies; and the princi-
Piles upon which the right Of indepen-
dence has been maintained by the South
American patriots, have been approved,
no, only as identical with those upon
which our own independence was assert
cd and achieved, but as involving the
whole theory of government on the EN-.
pha,ically alienable rights Of man. To
a cause reposing upon this basis, the
people Of this country never could be
Indifferent, and their sympsthies have ac-
cordingly been, with great unanimity and
consistency, enlisted in it's favor. The