Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-16

ecS' ,"us vei'ng ano thus perceyiug, /, fell 70 hr
10 eau Tue Wiling or unwilling councils of his country
ID her manifestations of kindness 10 the new Govern
nens aud 10 her Seasonaoe recognons of their indie
pendence; II 1t be this, which honorable rnerbe,
'mputeSto nl0' II It be by this course public con
quot that ne has identified his with the cause Of
South American liberty, he ought to be esteemed one
on the most fortunate OF the age. II all Es be 5
10 now represented, he has acquired fame enough 1t is
enough LOT any In2: thus to have connected himself
with The greatest of the are in which he lives
ana 10 nave been foremost in measures which reflect
high honour Ga his country, III tie Judgment of man
kind Sir IL is always with great reluctance that am
Drawn to speak, IN my Place here, OF individuals, but
could not iorbear what have sand, when hear in
'hc House OF Representatives, ana tins land of free
spirits, that il is made matter Of nrua,ion and Of
reproach to have been FIRST to reach forth tie hand of
weccfne, and OF succour 20 born nations. strug-
Cling TO obtain, and TO enjoy, the blessings liberty.
are told that the country Is deu0cd and deceived
by cabalisc words Cabastic words! II we express
emotion of pleasure at the results of this great action
OF the spirit political liberty if we rejoice at the birth
OF new Republican nations, and express our-ov By the
common terms of regard and sympathy; five feel and
SIGNIFY high qualification that, throughout this whole
Continent likely TO be blessed by free and
popular institutions; and If in uttciuG of these senti
mens, we happen ospeai of sister Republics of the
great American family ofnaons of1e political
TEN and forms OF government of this Hemisphere then
ndeed 1t seems deal in senSeless iaroiI or
on the Judgment and feeling othe community BY cab
alistic words! Sir, what by tso Is il intended
that the People of tue United States ought TO be totally
indifferent TO the fortunes Of these neghbors? Is DO
change in the lights III which we are TO view them TO
be wrought, by their having thrown off foreign dom
MON, established independence and instituted on cur
very borders. republican governments, essentially after
our example,
Sir, do not wish 70 ovcrrac do not cvcrrate tLc
progress OF these States in the great work of es
taoshlnS well secured popular liberty. know that
10 oe great attainment and know that they are bui
pupils IN the school, But thank God they are in the
school They called 10 meet difficulties such as
neither we our fathers encountered. For these we
ought to make large allowances. What have we ever
Known like the colonial vassalagc of these Staes?-
" Nen uid We or our ancestors feel like them, the
weight OF political despotisn that presses men to the
earth, or of that religious intolerance which would shut
up heaven to ali but the bigotted? Sir we sprung from
another stock. We belong TO another race We have
Known nothing-we have felt nothing of the political
dcsposn OF Spain nor Of the heat OF her fires of in
tolerance. No rational man expects tha; the South
can run the rapid career as the North or that an
nSuGcnt province OF Spain is in the same condition as
the English colonies, when they first asserted their in
dependence There is, doubtless, much more TO be
DONE IN the first than IN the last case. But on that &C
count the honor of the attempt not less and if all diff
hcuItIes shall be IN time surnouned il will be greater
Inc Work may be arduous-it is not less noble, be-
Cause ihere may be more of ignorance TO cnlghten;
more OF oigotry TO subduei more of prejudice to erad
cafe. Ii II be weakness to feel strong interest in
the success OF these great revolutions confess myself
guilty OF that weakness. If it DC weak To feel ibot
am an American, 10 think that recent events have not
only opened new modes OF intercourse, but have Crea
ted also grounds of regard and sympatly between
ourselves and neighbors; if be weak to feel that
te SOUTH III her present state is somewhat more eul-
patca!y part of America than when she law obscure
oppressed, and unknown, under the grinding bondage
OF foreign power; fit be weak TO rejoice when even
IN any corner OF the earth, human beings are able 10 get
up from beneath oppression erect themselves and TO
ENJOY the proper happiness of their intelligent natures
this bcwcak, It weakness from which claim no
exemption.
day ossolenn retribution visits the once proud
monarchy of Spain. The prediction is fulfilled, The
spirit of Montezuma and oftbc Incas might DOW well say
"Art thou TOO fallen, Iberia? Do we see
The robber and the murderer weak as we,
Thou. that has wasted earth; and dar red desp;se
Alike the wrath and mercy of the skies.
Thy pomp Is IN the grave; thy glory laid
Low IN the pit thine avatIce has made"
MIR. Chairman will dctaiu you only with one more
reflection on this subject. We cannot be so blnd-wc
cannot so shut up senses aud smother our faculties
not to that in the progress aad Establishment OF
South American liberty, our example has been
among the most stimulating That great light
"a light which never be hd-thc light of our own
glorious revolution has sODe the path of the South
American patriots, from the beginning of their course
In their emergencies they have followed or models
in their deliberations they have invoked the presiding
spirit OF our own liberty. They have looked steadily
in every adversely, to the GREAT NoRTHTRH LIGHT In
(
fields which have been consecrated by tie blood of our
own fathers and when they haze fallen they have wished
only 10 be remembered with them men who had act
ed their parts brayel for The cause OF liberty 10 the
Western World
Sir have done, II IT be weakness to feel the SYM
patty Of ones nature excited for such men, in such
cause, am guilty oftbat weakness. Hit be prudence
to meet their pToered civy, with reciprocal kind
ness, but with GOODNESS with insult; choose still 10
follow where natural impulse lead, and to give up that
false and mistaken prudence, for the voluntary senti
ments OF my heart.
To THE EDITORS THE ETQUGRER.
Gentlemen: In compliance with the request of num-
Der Of the freehoIders in this county; and also Of
number Of other gentlemen, who we've present en- the
occasion, forward you for publication copy Of
my address TO the people the election day for Ame-
liza county, the 9th inst. &c pleased gentIemen. TO
accept my respectful and friendly regard.
VM. Il. GILES.
Wigwam, Amelia County, Aprl29, 1926.
Fcllotc-C Citizens, and Friio1c Couatrer.
FPrcsume, It cannot be necessary tJr TIC, fellow