Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-05

Kind, as well as ourselves. attend 10 our OWE CON
Germs in,prove the gifts OF Providence, WIN
which we have been crowned-periect and puiiu
up our political institutions, by every means oil
Moderation which time and experience may supply,
that they may remain TO our posterity, ana STAND
in the eyes of the world, at once monument
and n model of human freedom. Let us, above
all things avoid the danger OF being drawn into
unnecessary foreign wars, which nave, IN al ages
been the grave OF republican liberty W. 90, IN
deed owe n solemn responsibility TO all 'nanSiho'
in this and future ages, tor the tate OF 'he eAPe
ment of free government, which has been commit
,e1 IN our hands The success of this experiment
does, in my opinion mainly depend upon our keep
ing clear of entaneing connexions with o'her
People, who may be less blessed with an aptitude
and capacity for freedom than ourselves, ana
whose interests or passions might involve US !" eh
erprses foreign our sober and peaceiui pursuits
Sir. if other nations are destined to lose fher ~
berries; let as acquit ourselves OF the hish "us'
which Provi,lenceIhas devoved upon US, and Gu
deav our 10 preserve oW o'cni that one oe"eo"
light at least may be left TO cheer The darkness OF
the political world, and to guide those nations wEo
may have lost their liberties, through that sea Oh
revolution, upon which they must emoafN W 'e
cover them.
But. Sir, our sympathy is challenged tor our
Spanish American brethren. One would suppose
that their condition longer presented case ior
sympathy. They have passed through the pefhous
crisis of their fortunes, and are now reposih6 au
/ triur,phs and successes. Their independence Is
achieved and the war between them and the parent
country has ceased in every thing but the name
But If the case were otherwise have not the claims
! of sympathy been satisfied to the uttermost, by
! what we have already done? We were the hrst 10
acknowledge their independence, and establish di-
pomatic relations with them, by sending ministers
to their respective Governments; and even before
| we made a formal acknowledgment OF their moe
penience, Gas early as the year lSiS,) we applied
To Great Britain 10 1lite tcith in some act OF
recognition, and by doing gave serious "meIase
to the allied soveregns of Europe, then convened
in Congress at Aixla Chapclle- Two years ago,
a memorable declaration was issued III the name
of the u. States, which was supposed 10 ha"@ Us
concerted hostile designs, at that time, medita,ed
against the IL BY these soveregns. We have
more recently gone from Court to Court III Europe
Nleading their cause and soliciting intercessons IN
their behalf and have even urged our expos,uia-
tons and Inconsistencies with the King OF Spain
himself, tll we obviously provoked his resentment
at our o6ciOusnsSs. Sir is there be no limit 10
our enev o!ence for these people: There is point
beyond which even parental bounty and natural
affection cease to impose obligation. That point
has been attained with the States OF Spanish Anne
RIGA. They have received their political patrmo-
MES, and been literally established in the world
and they should take care OF what they have
, and provide for themselves. Sir, however lauda-
, bic virtue sympathy may be, in private indvd-
uals il furnishes fallacious and often pernicous
rule of conduct for Governments. Government:
are trustees for the happiness and advantage o
those who subject to their authority, and thc
first and highest duty is to their people
They are not at liberty to engage in enterprises o
mere beneyolence on behslf OF others, VIXEN thos
enterprises may involve consequences detrimental
i TO the interests of the societies, with whose wei
o fare they are charged.
el Sir Fictitious enthusiasm has been gottel
an in regard 10 Spanish America, which, in m.
II opinion, has no foundation in any just conception
: OF public duty or national policy. 1t has not bee
If nbibed from the People. On the contrary, it ha
e the People have been signally Intellectual. A
u this enthusiasm has exerted its influence chief
j. here, beg leave to read 10 the committee pas
:, sage from that venerable paper often appeale
II 10 upon the present occasion, which seems 10 hay
= escaped the attention of the Executive who ha
o tavoured us with elaborate commentary upo
n other parts OF t-a passage originally addressed
n the People, but iuil OF Instructive adnopition l.
e their representatives,, and at this time particular
IS applicable to Them a passionate attachment q
>, one nation for another produces variety of evil.
sympathy Tor the iavourite nation, f0ciHtatins TIL
: tH'st01t 81 an imaginary common interest, a
II cases toheTe no real common interest erists an
iniusng into the enmities Of the other be
trays he former into participation of the quarrel
1
e meat or Justification 1t leads also to concession
:, to the tavourite ration of privileges denied #
e others, which is apt douby 10 iniure the natio
If making the concessions, by unnecessarily partin
e with what ought TO have been retained and b.
;: exciting jealousy, i'll will, and disposition to re-
j. aiate, In the parties from whom equal privilege
: are withheld; and it gives 10 ambitious, corrupteJ
st deiuded citizens, (OhO deuote Themselves to tn
i tacourite matio") facility to beiray or sacrifice
# the interests of their country, without odu,n
h sometimes with even popularity; gliding with tn
e appearances of virtGous sense of obligation.
II commendable Difference for public opinion. or Ian
e dable zeal for public good, the base or foolish com
e piances OF ambition, corruption, or nfatuation
j. Sir, the current events OF the times fIrnish SC
If striking commentary upon tbs passage, as &c
supersede the necessity Of s. remarks rom me- IN
> illustrate mr. applv il, commend it 10 the sob.,
r reflections OF III -'4'"'itce.
=. Amothc 'sument urged in favour of the es,.t-
nsl,- al OF more intimate relations with tho So
..mericsn States is, that, bv doiro '' SPan 'sh
secure their good WHY, which is hipIIv irr snan
,o u.s. both IN commercial and poii,icaI ,;.
" ma, success IS likely TO attend this evpor;,s
may De inferred from that which has fojoysJ a
past ehorts, OF similar nature | hs,e al,oaJ
oriehy alluded to the various Offices OF knidnoa'
and manifestations OF friendship, wbiN soc 80 |
! exhibited towards these people yYitttvba, - 'e
have they ever met? Let any gentlonan ,s.t 't Is
late Message OF the President of Mexico ~ II
Congress, and then let his feelings q rnorti;eJ ~.
'''u'Sn'nt P'iue give the answer. Sir, we ha,s
amy imagined that, by The acfsG disinteresal
friendship, and the solid ami useful s.rv;ca 49, 'i
rendered our Southern neilhbours coo L ita'e
gratitude and confidence; dat they looked
as their patron and guide AID regarded ms viii Crie
reVeTenee-to use the language of a oentIsr,a,J
from kentucky, MIR. Metalfs y 40 IL 1f,i