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the French is the native language ; and they who , when they had the power , used ad libitum the right of annexation , cannot justly complain if a similar power is exercised on the side of deprivation . The treaty of Paris will now excite all the
attention of the public , and it will be the fault of the united sovereigns , if France is for some time at least capable of disturbing the peace ofEu-Tope . Now perhaps is an opportunity given for examiningthe nature for that
military system under which Europe has so long groaned . A nation kept tinder by the bayonet cannot be said to possess a legitimate government , which is a union of people under laws which it is the general , interest to qbey . Louis the XIV . introduced
large standing armies , and from that time Europe has presented the appearance of a frightful barrack . Men did not live in a state of peace but of truce : for the great policy of nations was to be prepared for war , that state which is a disgrace to rational beings .
It is now high time to act upon better principles , and if such should be adopted , the calamities of the last ( JUarter of a century will not have been fruitless . May it be recollected , at last , that all the nations engaged in the late struggles profess to be
disciples of our Saviour , and pray daily for the coming of his kingdom . But his kingdom is a kingdom of peace , and he is emphatically called the Prince of Peace . May the sovereigns of the earth learn at last to
imbibe his principles , and to make peace internal and external tlie end of their government . This is the age of reform . France attempted it , but overstepped the bounds of moderation and fell into
despotism . It is now likely to settle into a representative government . She has always been the giver of fashions , and even despotic sovereigns have adopted this from her . Prussia has now a constitution , the basis of
which is the representation of the people- This is an unexpected measure , but tJie king has given it his " sanction , and he will soon see established in his kingdom a legislature upon this foundation . Hanover had
preceded him in this goodly work , and Germany itself is formed into a confederation , in which every state has its proportioned number of representatives . This large country must remain weak , but not on that account
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the less happy : and it will be s < w whether its various states can settl their differences by fair arbitral instead of the vulgar and beastly al ' peal to force . The experiment is a noble one , and every well-wisher to peace must wish its success , o main point in the new code of Ge ^ many is , that religious or > inmnc »\> I »
- w x ~ . anal not be a cause for deprivation of civil rights . Every prince will be allowed to employ his subjects of every denomination of religion : but it is not to to be expected that England will allow for a long time this right to its
sovereign . Probably , when Spain has set the example , this county will be its tardy follower , and , in the mean time , the United Kingdom will present to the world the strange sight of a sect retaining its power , though two thirds of the population should be of a differeut opinion .
Poland also , though united with Russia , is held under a peculiar tenure . It is a separate kingdom and to be governed by its own laws , ani a principal feature of its new
constitution is freedom of religion . It has the advantage also of being under a sovereign of a different religion from that of a very great majority of his new subjects , and the different sects
of those extensive regions , not receding any particular countenance from the throne , will be prevented from oppressing each other . The people also will wot be in so bad a state as is generally imagined . The liberty , of which the nobles of Poland made so
much their boast , was confined to their cast ; the people were under numberless despots . Their power will now be curbed , and the throne will be a protection to the multitude against the few . In the midst then of ail this
confusion , the dawn of hope appears intlie horizon . The Christian , indeed , wiN not fear , though the earth be moved and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea . His heart is fixed , and he knoweth in whom his confidence is placed . The worldly politician may lay his plans , but we have —~ r ^^ ~^ " ^ ^^ ~^ " ^ ^^ ^^ ^ " ivk p ^ ^^^^ v y ^^ " »» ™ w 41 ^ m tmmw ^^ H ^^^ — —^ ^* i fabric oi
seen how soon the mighty vice is destroyed . Let us hail the prospect of a new era , and continue to pray , that God may insp ire tlie minds of princes with true wisdom , that they may make his laws the rule pf their conduct , and by undeviatwg submission to our Saviour be an example to their subjects and lead U \ eta the way to happiness .
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464 State of Public Affairs .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1815, page 464, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1762/page/64/
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