The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-01-17

His Majesty makes this communica-
ton TO the House of Lords, with the full
and entire confidence. that the House Of
Lords will afford to his Majesty their
cordial concurrence and support in main
tanning the faith of treaties, and in Sc
curing, against foreign hostility, the
safety and independence of the kingdom
of Portrgal-the Oldest ally of Great
Britain. G. r.
The answer 10 the Kings Message
was carried without a dissenting voice
in either House Of Parliamen., and e.
vinces greater degree Of union and
determination on the part of the British
Government, that we ever recollect to
have noticed on any former similar &C.
casion. The message does not call for
declaration of war against Spain. II
is founded on formal application from
the Princess Regent of Portugal to
at-Britain, as the ancient ally of that
kingdom, TO defend her dominions a.
gainst hostile aggression on the part
of Spain. At the close of the discussion,
which took place in the House of Com
mons, upon the motion of Mr.. Canning,
the object of which was to pledge the
House TO support has Majesty IN any meas
urs for the preservation aud we!fare Of
Portugal, Mr.. Canning said" The OBJ
Ject of this measure Is not oar. The
| object of this measure is TO take the last
chance of peace. If England does not
promptly go TO the aid of Portugal, Por-
tugal will be trampled upon, and then
war will come, and come, too, in the
train of degradation. If we wait uD,il
Spain have courage TO ripen her secret
Vaccinations into open hostility, we
shall have war-we shall have the war
of the paciicators. and who then can say
when that war will end %
Mr. Canning's speech. upon proposing
the answer TO the Kings message, is a
most able and eloquent perform.nce.-
After giving history Of the Alliance
between England and Portugal, md de-
scrIblng the present condition Of Spain
and Portugal, and enforcing the necessity
OF attording to the latter the assistance
which the ezigencies of her case re-
CURED, he became extremely snimai-
ed, especially in adverling TO the pos
slble consequences Of the presen stale
OF things. 4" Let me be distinctly
understood" said he, "as not mean
ing that | dread war in good cause
that J dread war from distrust of
our powers and our resources to meet
1t. No-I dread it upon far othel
grounds dread it, because am con-
scious of the tremendous power which
this country possesses, of pushing away
war in which she may now be engaged,
TO consequences, at the bare conCemuIa-
tlen of which, shudder. II will be re-
collected that when, some years ago.
took the liberty OF adverting to topic
of this nature, when il was referred to
in this House, with respect TO the posi-
ton Of this country at the present time,
| then stated. tina: our position was not
merely one of neutrality between con-
tending nations. but betoueen contending
principles and opinaonS--that it was a
position of neutrality, which alone pre-
served the balance Of power, the main
tenance of which | believed necessary
10 the safety and welfare Of Europe
Nearly four years of experience have
confirmed. and not altered the opinion
then declared; and | still fear that the
next war 10 Europe, if it should spread
beyond The narrow compass of Portugal
aud Spain. sil be war of the most
tremendous nature, because ii will be a
war OF conflicting opinions. know
that this country could not avoid seeing
ranked under her banners all the rest
less, and all the dissatisfied, whether
with cause, or without cause, of every
nation with which che might be placed
at variance. | say, the consciousness of
this fact--the knowledge that there is
in the hands of this country such a ire
mensous power, induces me to feel as
do feel. But it is one thing ito have
giants strength" and another thing
TO use it like giant" The con.
sciousness that we have this power
keeps US safe. Our business is not TO
seek out opportunities of displaying it,
bat TO keep it, SO that il may be hereaf-
ter shewn that we knew its proper use,
and TO shrink from converting the UNI.
pire into the oppressor. The conse-
quences of the letting loose of those pas.
sions which are all chained up, may be
such as would lead 10 scene of desoa-
tioD, such as no one can, for moment,
contemplate without terror, aud such,
as could never lie easy upon my
couch. if | had the consciousness of hay-
ing, by one hour. precipItated it. This,
then, is the reason-a reason the re-