46!)
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAl\IAR
No. 2804. ON CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. LAMAR [Translation from the Spanish J [Richmond? Texas, about 185- ?] · While I was in :M:exico during the last war with that nation, I re- member conversing freely and frankly concerning the events of the day, with the worthy Alcalde of Sabinas, when he said to me that what grieved him more than any other thing in connection with the struggle pending, was the evil which the war was producing on the established religion of the country. The influence which it exercised over the Church was very great indeed; but whether this was for good or evil is a debatable question.- My friend thought in the manner of all Roman Catholics, that religious tolerance or free worship, and civil liberty are two things entirely incompatible, that they cannot exist together simultaneously. Of the truth of this, he was firmly per- suaded; while in reality, the contrary is the true manner of thinking_; since nothing can be clearer and more certain than that no people can be free politically, and enslaved religiously, at the same time.-
No. 2805. ON PRUDENCE. LAMAR
[Translation from the Spanish]
[Richmond? Texas, about 185- ?l Before burying this question, I shall advance a few observations that> though they appear as paradoxes at first sight, embrace much truth.. In the first place I must confess that I cannot agree with the world in its appreciation of what is called "prudent men." According to my idea the world owes them sufficiently little. Their merit is negative; it consists in not doing evil:- ·Never do they attempt great under- takings for the good of humanity. They work only. for their own in- terest, and leave the rest to take care of themselves. Their character is indicated in the signification of the term "prudent," which always carried with it the idea of not endangering anything. The principal which guides them in all their actions is that of gaining the most and losing the least that they can. It is their habit to look well before they leap; they calculate the cost of a thing· before they do it.; and take care that no harm results to them. Content with doing what the law requires, they do not aspire to anything further. Never do they do more than what the most rigorous obligation requires. It is evident that men of this class are not capable of running risks and making the sacrifices which are required for forming great patriots and benefactors of their ·country. To oppose a popular error, or to run counter to a prejudice of the people is too dangerous a business for them. No. 2810. BIOGRAPHY OF 'GUTIERREZ DE LARA. LAMAR [Richmond? Texas, 185- ?l BERNARDO GUITEREZ. One of the earliest heroes ·who took th!) field in Texas, in favor of Independence was Bernardo Guiterez a Mexican who had suffered much in the revolt of 1808 in which the celebrated Delgardo lost his head and his adherents were forced to fly their country. The first account
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