Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-21

ciples That man is capable OF seli-government;
that the people of every country should be left 10
the free selection ofsuch form ofgovernment they
think best adapted TO their situation, and to change
it as their interests, in their own judgments, may
seem to require. Wher Elm consist our objections
to the Holy Alliance Because they confederate
10 maintain Governments similar TO their own by
force OF arms, instead oil the force of reason, and
the will OF the governed. If we, too, confederate
to sustain, by the same means, Governments sim
liar to our own, wherein consists the difference,
except the superiority of our cause VIVA, is
their avowed motive? SeifprcSerrdtion aad the
peace Of Europe. What would be ours Self
preservation andt the peace of .4merica. wish
to be understood. detest as much as any man,
the principles of the Holy Alliance. | Yield 10
no man in my anxious wishes for the success OF
the Spanish American States. / will 20 as far as
think any American citizen ought 10 CO. to Sc
cure TO them the blessings of free Government. /
commend the solicitude which has been manifested
by our Government upon this SUBJECT, and lave of
course no desire TO discourage it. But an against
all alliances, against all armed confederacies, or
confederacies OF any sort. l care not how speci-
Gus, or how disguised; come in wha, shape they
may, / oppose them. The States in iGuestion
have the power and the means, If united add true
their principles to resist any force that E4ope NAV
send against them. 1t is only by being r,creant TO
the principles upon which their ouliopis found
ed; by suffering foreign influence TO street and d.
vide them, that their independence can be endan-
gered. But happen what may, our courseshould be
lett 10 our choice, whenever occasion Tor actinp
shall occur If, in the course of events designs
shall be manifested, steps taken in tbs hcmis
phere by any foreign Power, which so fr affect on,
interest or our honor, 10 make il necessary thai
we should arm in their Defence will be done Their
is no room TO doubt it.
The decision OF that question may sally be left
| to those who come after US. That Low, of coun.
\ Try and oil freedom which now animate. our pub
lie councils, is not confined to us, or likely TO be-
come extinct. We require neither alliance MOI
! agreement TO compel us 10 perform wh,tever ou
duty enjoins. Our national character $ our hes
and should be our only pledge Meanwhile let III
| oestow upon our neighbors, the young Republic
OF the South, the moral aid of a good example
10 make that example more sau,ary, let il eybi
Dit our moderation in success, our frmness in adj
Verslty, our devotion to our country and its insti
tutions, and above all, that sine qua non to tn
existence OF our Republican Gov ernment-ou,- fl.
deity to 1critten Constitution.
The local situation of the States in orestio, 10.
not alter the principle, but only bears upon in
expectancy OF the measure. What is the reaso
why foreign connections were deprecated by Wash
ineton, and have, since his day, been avoided h
our country! 1t Is because, between foreign Go
vernments and our own, there are diversies in stua
ton, interest, feeling, prejudice, and views. wbic
preclude the probability of preserving the relation
we may form with them, and greatly increase tb
contingencies by which eur country NAV becon
involved with others. Apply this reason to Ii
Governments of New Spain. Wherein consis,
The similarity between our condition and theirs ex
cept that we are both in this hemisphere and III,
at this time, most of them have Republican form
OF Government, but with powers yery differer
from ours We are unlike in all other thing,
The difference between US is infinitely greater. an
the intercourse less and more difficult than betwee
us and several OF the Statess of Europe. Reeer
circumstances have nceased the danger of politi
cal connection, IN the form of alliances of anv so,
with them. The supposed pacific views of the FIN
peror Alexander afforded the strongest secur;,v
gainst the interference ofthe powers OF Europe ;
ths!E aifitH6u bt and diiculiy. The aSaly
ment OF the war between Brazil and Buenos Avre
ascertained since this subject has been before ~
has multiplied greatly the danger of the step. nm
should induce us TO pause while the matter is y.
! subject TO our control. Although we have n,
before US the treaty between Colombia and I7ncn,
Ayres, 1t Is understood that similar one IN Tho.
we have, has been entered into between Tho.
Powers. II so, if the confederation is so far cor
pie'ed' thea VIII the other Spanish American Stat,
Ayres In the war with Brazil The Emperor Dc
Pedro is the lawful successor 10 the throne of Pc
tugal; the territory of Brazil is guaranteed bv Pc
tuSal, and that of Portugal by England. II sue
is the case and go, speaking from general reco]
lection, l understand the facts TO below yer
probable is it that the casus flpderis, the Interf,
renee OF any European Power with the affairs
spanish America VIII soon occur; upon the ha,
pening of which, we are to plunge this, now frt
and happy country, the object of the envy and II
admiration OF the world, into war for the protectic
oil the interests OF our neghbors, and to festif,.
mis late day, our deuotiOn to free princi1ies
Sir, our good fortune may guide US in safe,
through these difficulties. hope it may be go ;bI
my tears are stronger than my hopes. pray
Heaven that those fears may never be reaIizsd -,
those who now move Heaven and Earth 10 me-
this M>omened measure TO its consummatiop. NJ.
never have occasion to rue the day of lis ado
tion. 80 "''"