In our estimate of
Bonaparte, I suspect we differ. I view him as a political engine only,
and a very wicked one; you, I believe, as both political and religious,
and obeying, as an instrument, an unseen hand. I still deprecate his
becoming sole lord of the continent of Europe, which he would have been,
had he reached in triumph the gates of Petersburg. The establishment in
our day of another Roman. empire, spreading vassalage and depravity over
the face of the globe, is not, I hope, within the purposes of Heaven.
Nor does the return of Bonaparte give me pleasure unmixed; I see in his
expulsion of the Bourbons, a valuable lesson to the world, as showing
that its ancient dynasties may be changed for their misrule. Should the
allied powers presume to dictate a ruler and government to France, and
follow the example he had set of parcelling and usurping to themselves
their neighbor nations, I hope he will give them another lesson in
vindication of the rights of independence and self-government, which
himself had heretofore so much abused, and that in this contest he
will wear down the maritime power of England to limitable and safe
dimensions. So far, good. It cannot be denied, on the other hand, that
his successful perversion of the force (committed to him for vindicating
the rights and liberties of his country) to usurp its government, and
to enchain it under an hereditary despotism, is of baneful effect in
encouraging future usurpations, and deterring those under oppression
from rising to redress themselves.
Pages:
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449