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putc this position . Its truth is as evident as the light at noon-day . Happy would it have been for this part of the World , if the political relations here referred to , had been always regulated according to those principles of equity ,
peace and mutual good-will which are recommended by divine revelation 1 The inconsistency of the former with the latter , now acknowledged by these united sovereigns , has been clearly pointed out , and established by irrefragable arguments , attended with such
keen remonstrances against such proceedings , by the enlightened advocates for the rights of nations , as have produced correspondent feelings in every heart duly impressed with a sense of justice and humanity . The partition
of Poland , and various other partitions , aggressions and wars , both before and since that memorable act of flagrant injustice , might , if needful , be quoted by way of illustration . The conviction of error , however , is the first step towards amendment .
The object of this Holy Alliance is thus stated : " They solemnly declare that the present Act has no other object than to publish in the face of the whole world their fixed resolution , both in the administration of their
respective states , and in their political relations with every other government , tO'take for their sole guide the precepts of that holy religion , namely , the precepts cf Justice , Christian Charity and Peace , which , far from being applicable only to private concerns , must h .-. / e an immediate influence on the councils
of princes and guide all their steps , as being the only means of consolidating human institutions and remedying their imperfections . " No sentiment advanced by the most
enlightened Christian philosopher was ever more just or more consonant with reason , the feelings of humanity , and the principles of divine revelation , and no resolution could possibly do the coalesced monarchs more real honour .
Ihc Three Articles of this AHiance are in unison with the above declaration . The -concluding clause , indeed , of the 1 st Article , furnishes ground for
apprehension in the minds of some persons , of its " -not being favourable to the cause of civil and relig ious liberty : ** Regarding themselves towards their subjects and armies as fathers of families , thdy will lead them in the aamc
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spirit -of fraternity with which they are animated to protect religion , peace and justice . " " The protection of religion , " it is well known , has been the pretext for erecting the horrid tribunal of the Holv
Inquisition , and of all the blood y per , secutions which stain the annals of the Christian church . Many persoas understand hereby political religion merely , which has as various complexions as there are governments in the world . The civil power has often
stepped out of its province to prevent , by the force it can command , the spread of the religious sentiments it dislikes , and to protect , by the same means , those which it approves . If
this be really se the protection of religion" nicant by the Holy Alliance , no enlightened mind can view it with complacency , and the description of it given by a writer in the Morning Chronicle cannot be far from the truth .
that < r it is a strong league made , in the name of God , against liberal opinions . " ( Mon . Repos . XIV . 304 , ) As , however , there is a sense to be affixed to it which is not merely justifiable , but the sacred duty of every professing Christian , from the king in his
splendid palace to the peasant in his lowly cottage , " charity , which hopeth all things , " will put the most favourable construction on the phrase , as used by these high contracting parties , till their conduct evince that candour was
deceived . The protection of religion , peace and justice , except it be in the . spirit and by the means which are sanctioned by religion , pence and justice , would lead to religious persecution , tyrannical restraints , and flagrant vio hit ions of civil rights . As an additional ground for confidence in the siueeritv , peaceable views , and
Christian benevolence of these sovereigns , let it be considered that Alexander , the Emperor of Russia , who is at the head of the confederacy—Alexander , celebrated throughout the world for his piety , his regard for the education dis
of youth , and his laudable zeal in - seminating the Sacred Scriptures , when at Aix-la-Chapelie in 1818 , expressed the highest satisfaction at the communications made to him of " the Societ ) established upon principles conducive to permanent and universal peace /' As they solemnly declare it to be their fixed resolution to take the pi *'
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634 Mr . Howe ' s Comments on the Holy Alliance .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1820, page 534, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2492/page/34/
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