PULITICAL CHAH0E8. 
145 
®'^'glibouring monarchies the provinces that adjoin each 
present those striking demarcations which are the 
^jiect of great centralization of power- in federal repub- 
states situated at the extremities of each system are 
some time before they acquire a stable equillbi-ium. It 
''■Quid be almost a matter of iiidift’ereiicc to the provinces 
‘^fitween Arkansas and the liio del Norte, whether they 
^eiid their deputies to Mexico or to Washington. Were 
^Panish America one day to shew a more ujiiform tendency 
owrirds the spirit of federalism, which the example of the 
United States has created on several points, there would 
•■esult from the contact of so many sj-atems, or groups 
states, confederations variously graduated. I here only 
touch on the relations that arise from this assemblage of 
Colonies on an uninterrupted line of 1<>00 leagues iii length. 
'^0 have seen, in North America, one of the old Atlantic 
**t‘ites divided into two, and each having a diiferent re- 
Presentation. The separation of Maine and Massachu- 
^ots, ill 1^20, was eftected in the most peaceable manner, 
‘^oliisnis of tins kind will, it may be feared, render sueli 
O'lauges turbulent. It may also he observed, that the im- 
portance of the geographical divisions of Spanish America, 
ouiided at the same time on the relations of local position 
'’-^d the habits of several centuries, have prevented the 
Joother-country from retarding the separation of the coloiiies 
attempting to establish Siiauish princes in the New 
y^^orld. 
ha 
In order to rule sueli vast possessions it would 
ave been requisite to form six or seven centres of goveru- 
; and that multiplicity of centres was liostile to tlie 
sjablishment of new dynasties, at the period when tliey 
*"ght still have been salutary to the motlier country. 
Bacon somewhere observes, that it would be happy if 
Rations would always follow the example of time, the 
b'>;eatcst of all innovators, but who acts calmly, and almost 
^ uhout being perceived. This happiness does not belong 
? colonies when they reach the critical jniicture of eman- 
cipation ; and least of all to Spanish America, engaged in 
^ 6 struggle at first, not to obtain complete independence, 
j, . ^9 escape from a foreign yoke. May these party 
‘ g'tations be succeeded by a lasting tranquillity ! May the 
feCrin of civil discord, disseminated during three centuries 
‘'’’on. III. I, 
