History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 4 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
Every thing which the head of
such a man could contrive, or the arm execute, would be combined and
concentrated into one vast effort, and that effort would be strained
for the humiliation and destruction of this country. Universal dominion
is, and will continue to be, the aim of all French governments; but
it is pre-eminently the object to which such a mind as Buonaparte’s
will aspire. England alone stands in the way of the accomplishment
of that design, and England he has therefore resolved to strike down
and extirpate. How then were these daring projects to be met? How,
but by cherishing, wherever it may be found, but particularly in the
Peninsula, the spirit of resistance to the usurpations of France? If
we have saved the navy of Portugal; if we have saved the Spanish ships
at Ferrol; if we have enabled the Portugueze government to migrate to
their colonies; if we have succeeded in yet securing the naval and
colonial resources both of Portugal and Spain; how have these important
objects been achieved, but by fomenting in both these kingdoms a spirit
of resistance to the overwhelming ambition of Buonaparte? To this end
must all our efforts be now directed. This is the only engine which
now remains for us to work in opposition to Buonaparte’s gigantic
designs. Why then should we depart from that salutary line of policy?
what is there to dissuade or discourage us from adhering to it? I can
discover nothing in the aspect of Spanish affairs that wears any thing
like the hue and complexion of despair. If, indeed, it had appeared
that this spirit began to languish in the breast of the Spaniards, if
miscarriages, disasters, and defeats had been observed to damp the
ardour and break down the energies of the Spanish mind, then might it
be believed that further assistance to the Spanish cause would prove
unavailing. But, fortunately for this country, not only is there life
still in Spain, but her patriotic heart still continues to beat high:
the generous and exalted sentiment, which first prompted us to lend our
aid to the cause of Spain, should therefore be still maintained in full
force, and should still inspirit us to continue that aid to the last
moment of her resistance. The struggle in which Spain is now engaged
is not merely a Spanish struggle. In that struggle are committed the
best, the very vital interests of England. With the fate of Spain the
fate of England is now inseparably blended. Should we not therefore
stand by her to the last? For my part, my lords, as an adviser of the
crown, I shall not cease to recommend to my sovereign to continue to
assist Spain to the latest moment of her resistance. It should not
dishearten us that Spain appears to be in the very crisis of her fate;
we should, on the contrary, extend a more anxious care over her at a
moment so critical. For in nations, and above all in Spain, how often
have the apparent symptoms of dissolution been the presages of new
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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