Las Cortes de Cádiz and Freemasonry
(Posted in Law No. 267 of September 8, 2009)
The illustrious brother Mason, lawyer, politician and poet Peruvian José Gálvez Barrenechea (Tarma 1885-Lima 1957), wrote "Independence was the work of masons and were all, almost everyone you know and revere your fathers country, and among them, as you'll discover later, even priests was" (... ) "Masonry served beautifully to the work of freedom. "(1) The absolute truth has always been overlooked by historians officers, officials and, especially, by the dogmatic Catholic masters of their own fears have not wanted to deal with this issue scientifically, regardless of favoring or not Masonry. Masonic Presence
Without prejudice to the above stated, we can cite the English Jorge Blaschke and James River, a noted journalist and prominent brother Mason, respectively, who say: "The Masonic presence was evident in the Cortes of Cadiz, of which Masons were part renowned, as Augustine of Argüelles and Antonio Alcalá Galiano. "(2) In fact, it was. To confirm this assertion, it suffices to recall the origin, establishment, development and achievements of this great assembly constituent constitutionalised liberalism and imposed, in part, the three fundamental principles of Freemasonry: liberty, equality and fraternity. Let's see.
In fact, the first two as natural rights (iusnaturalis), where God (G:. A:. D:. U:.) Has created man and gave him full liberty, so that Freemasonry is the enemy of slavery and tyranny (outside the system of government, monarchy now, now Republic). The third approach is universal union of men through tolerance and rationality, ie true friendship among men regardless of their contrary religious or political ideas, making possible the formation of a fraternal chain. It is true that this is not fully achieved, however, was legally and formally start Masonic development in Spain.
In sum, the Masons had collected from the Encyclopedists and political thinkers of that time, many of them brother Masons, the ideal of promoting the concept of sovereignty of the people in those nations where there was absolutism, dictatorship and intolerance. In this vein, for Freemasonry sovereignty was "the right of the people to enact laws and establish the form of government that best suits the interests of society. "That was their north and purpose in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. That was his contribution to the independence of the thirteen Anglo-American colonies in the French Revolution, the struggle of the Hispanic kingdoms for their freedom and the stubborn resistance of the liberal English Spain to build a modern, independent of France, a monarchy favors constitutional fundamental human rights.
Origin of Cortes de Cádiz
's in the will of the English patriots, the pair of rejecting the Constitution of Bayonne of Charter 1809-sponsored by Napoleon to which Spain has a fundamental law of a liberal- also sought a constitutional solution to the political crisis in the peninsula against the invasion of France in 1808. While the "Gallic" are accommodated with the Napoleonic armies, liberal patriots and royalists were revealed in operating the Governing Board, created by King Ferdinand VII, prisoner before leaving Valencay (France). In this way, "the king wanted" returned "legitimate" power to the people, represented in the Board. Undoubtedly, this will ensure the legitimacy of power.
In this context, the "Provincial Board" decided to create a "Central Board", consisting of 35 members. This began to sit in Aranjuez, on 09/25/1808, under the chairmanship of the older brother Mason, and Conde de Floridablanca (José Moniga and Redondo, 1728-1808), who acted legally and fidelity. There, died this distinguished politician who had initiated at large in the Age of Enlightenment. Beside him, in his last moments was his close friend and brother Mason, despite the age difference, Lord Holland, the celebrated Henry Richard Vassal Fox, ... third Baron Holland (1773-1840), brother Mason York, seen above.
The Central Board members demanded the convening of Parliament, so the corresponding decree was issued (22-05-1809) and was sent to the viceroys to elect their representatives. Moreover, the 8-06, the same year, the Board established a "Commission on Courts" which although was chaired by the Archbishop of Laodicea, Juan Delgado Acisclo Vera and is no less true that it was composed of five members, of which Mason was a notorious brother, the Spaniard Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. This committee, in turn, appointed other, which came to involve other illustrious brother Masons, as Augustine of Argüelles Álvarez, José Blanco-White, etc.
other words less words, the fact was that De Jovellanos became conspicuous by his talent the leader of the "realists" and his opinion was highly regarded and respected. The Spaniard celebrated as a good "Anglophile", copied the British model of the two chambers-type estates, and the most absolute respect for fundamental rights, representation incorporation of new cities and towns in Parliament, making room for the people of Latin America, etc.. In particular, we can say that the position of Asturias De Jovellanos was undoubtedly Aguna, pro-American in his position clear realistic.
Gaspar Melchor's position, no doubt, there was present the influence of Lord Holland - triumphed in the bosom of the Board Central, which, by decree of 29.01.1810, convened the meeting of General and Special Courts, composed of two chambers, for 1-03, the same year. By then, the Board had moved from Seville to Isla de León, opposite the port of Cadiz. The decree of the call was written by the same De Jovellanos. On 31/01/1810, the Board established a "Council of Regency" that he transferred all his power and authority of government without any limitation and, consequently, decided to dissolve itself. Without doubt, resulted in illegitimacy but its decision was legal, as we have seen above. This was the cornerstone on which relied on government boards Caracas and Buenos Aires, the requirement that such legitimacy is the people's "popular sovereignty" and that it was illegitimate transfer of power from the Board to the Council of Regency. In short, had distorted the legitimacy that the king had granted to the Board and it had committed the crime or dissolve itself error.
In this context, the 14/02/1810, the Council of Regency sent American viceroyalties proclamation convening and inviting councils in each capital to elect their representatives, in a trio, and be elected by ballot. These elections were conducted only in Mexico, Central America and Peru. As was questioned in some realms Hispanic and primarily rejected first by the Supreme Board of Governors of Caracas, and then by the Buenos Aires, also seen above.
Unfortunately, shortly after the Council of Regency officials did not find the decree of 01/29/1810, and when people gathered in Parliament, did so in a single chamber. This strong and deeply resented De Jovellanos, who publicly denounced the mysterious fact. The aforementioned decree bid announcement recently appeared in October 1810 (3) As noted by the eminent English jurist and historian Joaquín Varela constitutional Suanzes-Carpegna.
First meeting of the Cortes
On 24/09/1810, met for the first time, 104 Members in General and Extraordinary Cortes in Cadiz, the Andalusian port protected by the powerful British squad. After a year and a half, 03.19.1812, 184 signed the adoption of the Constitution. And a year and a half later, on 14.09.1813, 220 signed the minutes of dissolution. Of this total, the jurist and historian of Peruvian law, Juan Vicente Ugarte del Pino (Lima, b. 1923), notes that Americans were 49 members. Nine of whom recorded their origin in the Viceroyalty of New Castile (Peru): lawyers and Masonic brothers Vicente and Ramon Morales and Duarez Olaguer Feliu (born in Chile), the canon Ostolaza Blas, the real blood Cuzco Inca Dionisio Yupanqui, Antonio Suazo, José Lorenzo Bermudez, Pedro García Coronel, Francisco Salazar and Jose Antonio Navarro, who was secretary of the Courts. (4) Incidentally, Ugarte del Pino made a great contribution to the historiography of Peru's constitutional right to note the amount of nine fellow members who participated in this great assembly, given that, before him, all writers indicated that Peruvians were only five deputies in the Cortes de Cádiz (Vid. Law No. 241 of 10.03.2009).
Discussions were intense and deep. Surfaced doctrine, legal philosophy, political history, reality and suffering of the peoples of the both sides of the Atlantic-Hispanic-Americans, as were the subject of deeper analysis, the correct interpretation and conviction to legislate in favor of them, under the influence of natural law, freedom and equality. In this cultural background, the children of light, the brother Masons, as the Conde de Toreno, de Argüelles, were teachers and yet his intellectual superiority and training, awarded, by the very nature Masonic some aspects that go hand in hand with the "intolerance" as the recognition of Catholicism as the only and official of the state (monarchy), in order not to hurt "the feeling traditional religion of the English people, however, much progress was made to approve the fundamental rights which, no doubt, laid the cornerstone of Latin American freedom.
In this context, we point out that the Constitutional Commission of the Parliament, responsible for drafting the "Constitution of the English Monarchy" was based on it prepared by the Central Board, in other words, produced by De Jovellanos. It was established on 03.02.1811 and was composed of 15 members. Among them, the Spaniard flashed Argüelles and Peruvian Lima lawyer and brother Mason, Vicente Morales and Duarez (Lima 1757-Cadiz, Spain 1812. Vid. Law No. 75 of 06.12.2005), who came to exercise the vice presidency and presidency of the Courts, between 1811-1812.
Masonry and liberalism were stronger and more united than ever in the development of the English Constitution of 1812, also known as Constitution of Cadiz, Cadiz Constitution, characterized by being a "real Constitution, liberal and revolutionary." For example, by the way, Morales and Duarez promoted equal treatment of Indians and mestizos, halves suppression motion proposed by the deputy and brother Mason Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo Maruri (1780-1847) and approved the 12-08-1812), freedom of the press (Decree of 10/10/1810 and enshrined in Article 312 of the Constitution), by which established the right to print without prior restraint (censorship) of any kind and was subject only to legal liability of print.
British Masonry Failure
However, it should be noted that, despite Lord Holland and de Argüelles, the "most prominent members of the Cortes of Cadiz did not follow the British constitutional path, but they had drawn the French revolutionaries 1791. "(5) No doubt this was considered a partial failure of the British Masonry (York), inviting further temperance and moderation, and the preeminence of a constitutional monarchy with an estate society (Position "Jovellanos") While Scottish Freemasonry, more French influence, became more and more revolutionary, more radical, more liberal. She was a member of the Conde de Toreno, who fervently and strongly defended "the ideas of nature and state of incorporation or the natural rights theory of checks and balances, which were liked by most members of Courts ", as rightly pointed Varela Suanzes-Carpegna.
is obvious that this author does not mention the Masons and their relationship the Cortes of Cadiz, however, the fact is that two separate Masonic groups had logial activity, ie work in workshops. Those who were under the jurisdiction and influence of the Supreme Council of England met at "Grand Chapter", while the dependent or linked to the ritual "Ancient and Accepted Scottish," they did in "Philosophical Council." However, both the beginning and the end of the work in the "workshop", both made it to the strains of "Masonic Cantatas," as the "Day of the lodge or Gesellenreise", "Joy Maurerfreude Masonic or Die" or "The praise of friendship." Important works such as the Masonic opera "The Magic Flute", which is the great teacher of composition or creation brother Mason Austrian Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756-1791). Masonic
This distinction-not-call difference was concern the Venezuelan De Miranda, so precisely intended to overcome with the creation of his three Grand Lodges-American Meeting, Knights Rational and Lautaro ", bringing together brothers Masons two separate rites, rule of patriotism and dedication in the struggle for independence. Situation that obviously failed, given that he himself was the victim of temperaments incubated in both rites (De Miranda vs. De Bolívar). This, undoubtedly, was also evident in the American liberators and brother Masons: San Martín De Matos (York) and de Bolívar y Palacios (Scottish), whose difference was present in the "Interview of Guayaquil" (26 and 27-07-1822), as we shall see below, and in due course.
Mutatis mutandis, this distinction had its own effect on the final achievement of American independence, that is, in Peru. Claims that do under some testimonies collected by our uncle, lawyer and politician, Pedro del Solar Gaváz Alexandria (Lima 1829-1909), when he traveled to Europe 1878 and ratified in 1892, in his capacity as ambassador of Peru in Spain and first vice president (1890-1894).
Specifically, between Masonic contributions to the Constitution of Cadiz, can be identified as follows: fundamental rights, both civil and political, who consecrated the first Constitution of France (1791), however, without a specific chapter to them, Given that the deputies did not want doceañista were called "French style." This Charter, specifically in regard to these rights, also known as first generation human rights, had the support of the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen (1789). Declaration took the liberty, equality and fraternity as a banner of the French Revolution and the republic, as a new system of popular and democratic government. Where, obviously, was Scottish Masonic influence. The representation of this important fact was subsequently captured by the English painter Salvador historicist Viniegra y Lasso de la Vega (1862-1915), born in Cadiz, and his painting titled "The promulgation of the Constitution of 1812" (Museum Cadiz City).
However, jealousy and animosity against Freemasonry reborn again. Near the end of approval Cadieux Charter (19-03-1812), extreme conservative deputies promoted an agreement to ban Freemasonry in Spain and their kingdoms, given that the Scottish Rite had been drinking too much importance, along with Creole or English Americans in peninsula. Approved the motion, "the Council of Regency of Spain and the Indies, temporarily authorized by the General and Special Courts, the Masons decided to pursue regardless of rank or privilege of any kind. It did so by Order of 19/01/1812, signed by Pedro de Agar and Silvestre Collar. (6)
Anything else, historical coincidence or causality criminal as a result of this situation, was almost three months after the order allegedly poisoned died Peruvian brother Mason and president of the Cortes, and Duarez Morales (02/04/1812).
Term of Cadiz Constitution
The Constitution of Cadiz was valid until 04/05/1814, when King Ferdinand VII, the ignored and the more absolutist said: "I am the Constitution." It was a blow to the Liberals and Masons, who immediately, were persecuted and imprisoned. One of them was the famous English jurist and Judge José María Calatrava (1780-1846). Others died in the dungeons or prisons Court restored Holy Inquisition (Decree 24/05/1814). Hence, this evil king passed the "desired" to "rejected."
Among other famous brother Masons who died shackled, in addition to General de Miranda, Lima found the lawyer and elected Member of Parliament, José Javier Leandro Baquijano and Carrillo de Córdoba (Lima 1751-Sevilla, Spain 1817. Vid. Law No. 124, of 22-12-2006) and the Peruvian lawyer born in Chile, Ramón Olaguer Feliu, who as deputy to Cortes, was a member of the committee to welcome the arrival of Ferdinand VII of Spain, which had been recently released by Napoleon. The king received the commission and, shortly thereafter, ordered deputies to apprehend. Olaguer was unfairly tried and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in the castle from the town. Died there, ignored and forgotten. Consequences
If it is true that the Constitution did not have much time Gaditana effective as we have noted, the fact remains that she forged in the crucible of freedom and in the hearts of men of good will, the firm conviction live under a constitutional legal order guaranteed to live and develop politically, socially and economically to all people within the royal regime to respect "fundamental rights of man and citizen." This honorable group of men was made up of liberals and freemasons, who stood out as intellectuals, politicians, soldiers and merchants, who identified themselves as "constitutional."
other words Words least one hand, they were the ones who promote and strengthen the ideals of freedom and autonomy of the kingdoms against the metropolis, without breaking the links with the English monarchy, following the originally proposed motions put forward in 1810, the relationship was altered by the American creoles with vengeful attitude, reactionary and authoritarian Fernando VII, to return to monarchical rule. And, on the other hand, the disappointment of the new elite who had fought for the return of the king, finally convinced that the observance and respect for the constitution was vital to live in peace and achieve progress and development of the Kingdom of Spain.
In fact, six years later, the military promoted peninsular liberals and freemasons 01/01/1820 revolution in Spain itself, and demanded that the re-implanted doceañista Charter, to which was granted by the monarch, against their will against the overwhelming victory of General Mason and brother Rafael del Riego y Nunez (1784-1823), as we have seen above. Unfortunately, this was only a constitutional and democratic spring (1820-1823), collected in the history of Spain as the "constitutional triennium, seen above.
Unfortunately for freedom, liberalism and Freemasonry, this short experience concluded with treason against Del Riego, and ordered his death by Ferdinand VII, who restored his despotic rule until 1833, which, obviously, is another subject. However, it is worth noting that the king issued the Royal Decree of 08/01/1824, in Sacedón, through which strictly banned in the kingdom and dominion of India all congregations of Freemasons and other secret societies.
The basis of this standard and earlier was in the "Report of the King, 12/06/1823, before the Crown Council, which stated that "a major cause of the revolution in Spain and America, and the most effective of the springs that were used to carry it out had been the secret societies which were under different names introduced some time now between us, frustrating the government surveillance, and acquiring a degree of malignancy, ignoring even in countries where they had their original source "(7) -----------
-------------- (1) Galvez Barrenechea, José. "These terrible Masons" in magazine "Fraternity", special edition of the Grand Lodge of Peru, Lima, 1996, pp. 30 to 32.
(2) Blasch, Jorge and RIO, Santiago. The true story of the Masons. Editorial Planeta. Barcelona, \u200b\u200bSpain. 2006, p. 185.
(3) SUANZES-CARPEGNA VARELA, Joaquín. Three essays on constitutional history. Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Rector's Cuadrenos No. 12. Lima. 2008. p. 82 et seq.
(4) PINE Ugarte, Juan Vicente. History of the Constitutions of Peru. Editorial Andina SA, Lima. 1978. pp. 29-30.
(5) SUANZES-CARPEGNA VARELA, Joaquín. Op. p. 130.
(6) NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF COLOMBIA. Bogotá. Volume XXXVIII. Royal Decrees and Orders. File. Annex, page 313.
(7) Carnicelli, Américo. Masonry American independence in 1810-1830. Two volumes. Bogotá. Colombia. 1970. Volume II, p. 45.
