The National Register.
London, England, 1808-07-24 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

serving of out praise, than the vigour by which they coun-
teracted the possible treachery of Denmark. Most men
aie capable of an energetic measure; but to adhere to it
and its consequencei, in spite of obloquy, is an undeniable
proof of genius.

But now the situation of Europe is completely reversed.
The energy and firmness we displayed in the most a,%ful
crisis in which a nation had been ever placed, would, in the
present happy change, be justly condemned as tyranny and
impolicy. Our action was solely justifiable, as it was
dictated by the most imperious necessity. This necessity
now no longer exists, and we can fulfil the duties of
honour and integrity, without running any risk, that our
concession will be attributed to weakness or fear. As no-
thing shews a Government in a more contemptible light,
than want of firmness in a dangerous and doubtful crisis,
so no one circumstance raises the esteem and admiration
of mankind more, than when it displays moderation and
magnanimity in the midst of triumph. The Romans af-
ford us here, as on almost every other occasion, a great
lesson. It was a general maxim of the policy of that
magnanimous community, to consider the slightest con-
cession as tantamount to ruin, whenever a public calamity,
or danker, ga• e their enemies an opportunity of dictating
conditions. This proud, unyielding policy, was observed
by them in the lowest. ebb of their fortunes. After the to-
tal destruction of several armies, after having been aban-
doned by all their Allies, after Hannibal had deprived
them, in the course of three or four campaigns, of all
the glorious fruits of 500 years of the most unexampled
prowess and public virtue. After they had nothing left
but their city, they rejected every overture of Hannibal,
as scornfully as if they had been masters of Italy, Sicily,
and Spain. This same policy they observed in their war
against Perseus. The Macedonian Monarch, after having
defeated a Roman army, thought the opportunity fa-
vourable for negociating with the Republic. The con-
ions were so advantageous to the Romans, that the
would not have dictated any others themselves, had they
been in possession of that Monarch's capital. But the
Senate was too enlightened, as not to see through the
motives of Perseus. Their concession would have im-
pressed on the several States of Greece and Asia, the su-
periority of he Macedonian Phalanx over their Legions.
They therefore haughtily refused to listen to any other
condition, but an unconditional surrender of Perseus to
neir discretion. Hence their famous maxim : Parcere
SuOjectiv, debeildre Superbos.

Though we make no pretensions, as they did, to found
our greatness on the subjection of mankind, let us, 110 -

. _
ever, adopt their enlightened policy ; for it is still more
conducive to the security of a state, than it is to its ag-
grandisement. As ministers have adopted the same
hanghty, unyielding firmness after the peace of Tilsit ;
and as the present fortunate Revolution ►n the affairs of
Europe stamps on their conduct the highest political sa-
gacity ; they will adopt the second maxim of Roman
policy, and magnanimously say to the Danes, " We have
• taken your fleet, because you were not able to secure it
64 from the grasp of our enemy. When our safety,
44 your own, and that of Europe, rendered it a measure
• Gf imperious necessity, you obstinately refused to listen
"to any compromise. As our conduct on that oc-
" cas-on was dictated by motives very different from
" ambition or rapacity, we easily overlooked The ex-
" travaganee of your enmity : and whilst we commis-
" ended your fatal delusion, we made a just allowance
" for the resentment you felt. You become the instrument
gi of an ambitious tyrant, from whom you had more to
4" apprehend than we had. You have now acquired some
gg experience of what von have to expect from this non-
" strous alliance ; aml we suppose your resentments will
" not render you indifferent to the fate of the Spanish
" family, and of the sovereign Pontiff, who had inure