re with the internal institutions or regulations of any
state whatever.
To thåt constitution, sanctioned in its outset by those
who were destined to live under it — to that consti-
tution, founded on principles, in a great degree simi-
lar to those of our own constitutiop, though different-
ly modified, it was impossible for Englishmen not to
pay a tribute of admiration. Sull, they had no right
to force that constitution on the people of Portugal, if
they were unwilling to receive it — they had no
right to fight for the purposes of upholding it, if there
were schisms among the Portuguese themselves relative to it.
An approximation to the danger of a war was cer-
tainly to be apprehended, and avoided if possible. He
did not wish to be understeod as dreading our being
engaged in war in a good cause, through any distrust
of our pow r or resources; his apprehensions were quite
of a different nature, and arose from reflecting on the
tremendous power which this country possessed, and
that if a war should be tbe result of the measures now
adopted, we should have ranged on our side the dis-
affected and discontended of every nation in Europe.
Some years ago, when the subject of the mnegociation
with Spain had come under discussion, he had adver-
ted to a topic of this nature, and expressed it as his
opinion, that the true policy of this country was to
maintain a neutrality between contending nations and
conflicting principles, and that by this neutrality we
should preserve the balance of power and contribute
to the safety of Europe. Four years had served to con-
vince him of the correctness of this opinion, and he
feared, that the next war, which should be kindled in
Europe, would be a war of most. tremendous consequen-
ces — il would not only be a war of contending for-
ce, but of conflicting opinions. If this country should
enter into such a contest, it would be chiefly wilh a
view of mitigating its severity and restraining the vio-
lence of tbe other powers of Europe. There was m
the hands of this country a tremendous power, but it
was one thing to have a giants strength, aud another to
make a good use of it. It was not our business to
seek for an opportunity of displaying it. Britain ought
rather to act the part of an wmnpire than a competitor;
it:should be her office to assuage the animosities and
restrain the aggressions of contending nations; her con-
duct should be such, that it might be said of her in
the words of the poet:
- Mollitque aånimos ac temperat iras.
Ni faciet, maria ac terras coelumque profaundum
Quippe ferant rapidi secum verrantqve per auras.
It was impossible to say, what might be the direful
consequences of letting loose angry passions which were
ill sealed up; no man could -contemplate them whithout
horror. For his owu part he could not sleep on his
couch, if he were voluntarily and unnecessarily to pre-
cipitate measures which might lead to such muomeutous
consequences. —
Huru har åter Årgus låtit Canning yttra sig, enligt
artikeln den 21: Oktober ?:
Ar 1824 förklarade Canining i Parlamentet såsom
utrikes minister, då han förebråddes att hafva låtit
Franska regeringen företaga expeditionen till Spanien
år 1823, att om Kontinentalpolitiken antoge en för
Englands intressen hotande karakter, så skulle Engel-
ska regeringen begagna sig af de frön till söndringar
och missnöjen, som funnes i de Europeiska staterna,
för att öfverallt tanda upprorslågan och inhemska krig
emellan Regeringar och undersåter. Från sin ö i
hafvet skulle, såsom han uttryckte sig, (märk val
läsare) ? Engelska regeringen, likt Eolus, Sppna den säck,
som inneslöt stormarne, och lössläppa dessa, för att
vända upp och ned på alktihg.
Må nu läsaren sjelf jemföra, om det är möjligt att
på ett mera oförsynt sätt vända upp och ned på ett
historiskt dokument. i stället att hela Cannings tal just
går ut på att uttrycka en far håga, att de missnöjde i
alla länder skulle rangera sig på Englands sida i hän-
delse af ett krig, och yttrar att Englands role porde vara
att förmildra bitterheterna och förhindra utbrotten,
så låter Argus honom begagna sig af de frön till sön-
dringar och missnöjen, som funnos, för att tända upp-
rorslågan. Men icke nog härmed; sjelfve den latinske
poetens vers har blifvit lika förvriden. Då hela andan
af Cannings tal låg sammanfattad i den första
versen om Eolus och orden: Ni faciat, låter Argus
honom deremot öppna den säck, som inneslöt stor-
marna. Det är således icke nog med att Argus ljugit
på Canning; utan äfven på den hederlige Vitgilins. Hvad
tro bör man då sätta till hans citationer en annan gång?