[clxii. 13]

1820. July 28

Emancipation Spanish

Summary

Alas! how heterogeneous, and altogether incongruous a mixture! In both countries the subject many will be sufferers by it: in Spain in one way, in Spanish America in another way. In Spain, Spanish members, in whatever degree be their moral aptitude, can not fail to be more or less acquainted with the state and interests of the subject many in their respective districts, and thus far in a greater or less degree, especially when compared with the influx from the other hemisphere, fit in respect of intellectual aptitude: while, with reference to that same state of things, the Spanish American members will be nearly in the dark. In so far as their Representatives are honest, what then to the subject many in Spain can be the use to see their representatives - what, to those same representatives the satisfaction to see themselves, outvoted on this or that occasion by these strangers who know nothing about the matter? So much for intellectual aptitude. Now as to appropriate probity: appropriate moral aptitude. The constitutional honey moon at an end - the warmth of social sympathy evaporated, and self-regard with its calculation left, what, with reference to the members of the Executive will the Spanish-American Members of the Cortes be? - Instead of vigilant Inspectors , they will be creatures and instruments.

Enter into the Cortes a company of men styling themselves representatives of the several Spanish American Provinces, received as such probably by the representatives of the Spanish Provinces, received as such at any rate by the Members of the Executive Government:- of the Junta by which they were got together. But, in point of fact by whom have they been chosen? By the people of the several provinces of which they are stiled representatives? No: not so much as in a single instance. By whom then? In the instance of each Election by some, or at the best by all, those natives of the provinces in question who at the time happened to be present on the spot. In those several instances was the Election free? That it was so, it can scarcely, on any sufficient grounds be easy for any one to say, even in Spain: here in England it is impossible. Thus much however may be said, and said in any part of the world and with incontestable truth: that in no instance, in which the votes were given in any other than the secret mode, is it possible that the Election should have been free. Be this as it may, in what state of mind is it that they will have entered the chamber of the Cortes? If not of direct promises brim full of hopes and fears imbibed from the two constituted authorities: from the members of the Junta to which they were there both to be received; from their Spanish colleagues to whom they are there being actually received.