=Source.=--_The Political Life of George Canning_, by A. G.
Stapleton. London, 1831. Vol. III. p. 222.
"Some years ago," said Mr. Canning, "in the discussion of the
negotiations respecting the French war against Spain, I took
the liberty of adverting to this topick. I then stated that the
position of this country in the present state of the world, was one
of neutrality, not only between contending nations, but between
conflicting principles; and that it was by neutrality alone that we
could maintain that balance, the preservation of which I believed
to be essential to the welfare of mankind. I then said that I
feared that the next war which should be kindled in Europe, would
be a war not so much of armies, as of opinions. Not four years
have elapsed, and behold my apprehension realised! It is, to be
sure, within narrow limits that this war of opinion is at present
confined: but it is a war of opinion, that Spain (whether as
Government, or as nation), is now waging against Portugal; it is
a war which has commenced in hatred of the new institutions of
Portugal. How long is it reasonable to expect that Portugal will
abstain from retaliation? If into that war this country shall be
compelled to enter, we shall enter into it, with a sincere and
anxious desire to mitigate, rather than exasperate--and to mingle
only in the conflict of arms, not in the more fatal conflict of
opinions. But I much fear that this country (however earnestly
she may endeavour to avoid it), could not, in such case, avoid
seeing ranked under her banners, all the restless and dissatisfied
of any nation with which she might come in conflict. It is the
contemplation of this new _power_ in any future war, which excites
my most anxious apprehension. It is one thing to have a giant's
strength, but it would be another to use it like a giant. The
consciousness of such strength is, undoubtedly, a source of
confidence and security; but in the situation in which this country
stands, our business is not to seek opportunities of displaying it,
but to content ourselves with letting the professors of violent
and exaggerated doctrines on both sides feel that it is not their
interest to convert an umpire, into an adversary. The situation of
England, amidst the struggle of political opinions, which agitates
more or less sensibly different countries of the world, may be
compared to that of the Ruler of the Winds, as described by the
poet:
"'Celsâ sedet Aeolus arce,
Sceptra tenens; mollitque animos et temperat iras;
Ni faciat, maria ac terras caelumque profundum
Quippe ferant rapidi secum, verrantque per auras.'
"The consequence of letting loose the passions at present chained
and confined, would be to produce a scene of desolation, which no
man can contemplate without horror: and I should not sleep easy on
my couch, if I were conscious that I had contributed to precipitate
it by a single moment.
"This, then, is the reason--a reason very different from fear--the
reverse of a consciousness of disability,--why I dread the
recurrence of hostilities in any part of Europe: why I would bear
much, and would forbear long; why I would (as I have said) put up
with almost anything that did not touch national faith and national
honour;--rather than let slip the furies of war, the leash of which
we hold in our hands,--not knowing whom they may reach, or how far
their ravages may be carried. Such is the love of peace which the
British Government acknowledges, and such the necessity of peace
which the circumstances of the world inculcate.
"Let us fly," said Mr. Canning, in conclusion, "to the aid of
Portugal by whomsoever attacked; because it is our duty to do
so: and let us cease our interference where that duty ends. We
go to Portugal not to rule, not to dictate, not to prescribe
Constitutions, but to defend and to preserve the independence of
an ally. We go to plant the standard of England on the well-known
heights of Lisbon. Where that standard is planted foreign dominion
shall not come."