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cepts of Christianity for their sole * ide , i shall select a few of them , that all pe rsons , by comparing their conduct towards their own subjects and other nations with these rules , may be ihle to determine for themselves
whether they fulfil or violate their engagements : " " Thouslialt love thy neighbour as thyself / ' " Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so to them . " * ' Take my yoke upon
you and learn of me , " says our revered Master , Jesus Christ , " for I am meek and lowly in heart / ' " Mind not high tilings , but condescend to men of low estate . " " Study to be quiet , and mind your own business . " " If it be
possible , as much as lieth in you , live peaceably with all men . " " Be not overcome of evil , but overcome evil with good . " It may be said , that these precepts are applicable to private individuals
only in their intercoi * rse and transactions with each other , but not to kings and potentates to regulate their conduct towards those whom they govern , or to influence their political relations to other states—for these must be
founded on different maxims . I can produce high , authority against this position , even the authority of the leading powers of Europe . Referring
m the Holy Alliance to the precepts bf . Justice , Christian Charity and Peace , they say , < c which far from being applicable only to private concerns , must have an immediate influence on the
couacih of princes , and guide all their steps . " Consistentl y with these declarations , H'liat may we reasonably expect will he the conduct of the associated soverei gns towards Spain , ( and to this point merely would I confine my
observations , ) in consequence of the restoration of the representative Government of 1812 ? Let it be remembered that this Constitution was favoured with their sanction . It was violated by the King , and is now re-established by the people , with the declared
concurrence of liis Majesty , who gives ^ very possible proof of his sincerity . } . an < ^ the Cortes are going on cordiully ^ gether in their endeavours to remove those evils which were prod uced by misgovernment , and to bring : ? ^ rgies of the nation into operation for the settlement of their finan-
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ces , and the promotion of industry , public prosperity and happiness . These laudable objects they are pursuing , without giving any disturbance to their neighbours . In these circumstances have appeared those two documents from the Court of St . Petersburg which srive so much alarm to the
friends of peace . The Emperor Alexander calls on the other sovereigns of Europe to join with him in some measures respecting Spain , but of what nature he gives no intimation . By
their professedly taking , however , tke precepts of Christianity for their guides they subject their conduct to a decision which the meanest of those they govern are as well able to make as
themselves . It will not require the sagacity of the philosopher or the political skill of the statesman , to determine whether or not in their treatment of Spain , they adhere to the resolutions expressed in the Holy Alliance . If they so interpose in the internal concerns of an
independent nation , as to endeavour by force to oblige it to change the government approved by both the King and people , and thus to introduce all the horrors of war and desolation , it will be evident to the whole world that they are the aggressors . If it be said , they
are induced to take this step by deep political reasons of state , of the propriety of which none can judge but themselves and their privy councillorsthis would not avail to their justification , for they reject and condemn the old maxims bv which Europe has been
a long time governed , and profess ta adopt the new principle of administration , namely , the precepts of the Christian revelation , and particularly specify the precepts of Justice , Christian Charity and Peace . If these be violated by them , awful is the responsibility they will incur . They must for it at the tribunal of an-/ i
answer m aiiowc ; i jl vj * ii > « t tiic luuunai v * . «**« - kind , and of their God , the Supreme Sovereign , " who is no respecter of persons / ' Their solemn declarations iu the Holy Alliance will be generally considered as hypocritical cant , for tlm purpose of deception , and they will furnish an additional ground for the admonition of the Psalmist , "Put not
your trust in princes . " Let ttyem consider also , that sound , policy—as welt as Justice , Christian Charity and Peace , —warns them to bewarq how they
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Mr , Howe * s Comments on the Holy Alliance . 636
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1820, page 535, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2492/page/35/
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