The Sun.
London, England, 1829-08-25 00:00:00

THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE (PARIS) GLOBE.

Lausanne, July 25.

Gentlemen,—The credit which the Globe
enjoys is so justly merited, that it cannot be
matter of in-difference to see it express an opinion
on facts which are not sufficiently authenticated.
The 53d number of the seventh volume fr-
nishes au instance of the negligence of which I
complain, in the article headed " Holy Alliance,"
the materials of which appear to have been ex-
clusively drawn from a pamphlet of M. Empeta,
an ecclesiastic of Geneva, formerly a disciple,
or auxiliary, of Madame de Krudener, and who,
about a dozen years after the period of the form-
ation of the Holy Alliance, made all the haste
be could to reveal to the public the secrets of
that epoch, and the hand which he had in that holy
work, by his prayers and his influence with
Heaven.

When this pamphlet appeared in Switzerland,
where people understand the hocus pocus of
those men, who feed themselves upon a manna
a little more substantial than the manna of
Heaven, the virtues of which, however, they ex-
tol to the faithful, it was recognized as the trial
of a new engine destined to revive a zeal, which
had much need of resuscitation, by the recital of
great events performed by Divine grace, through
their interposition. It was, besides, observed
that the assertions of the author of the pamphlet
were not accompanied by any document calcu-
lated to confirm them ; and what ought to com-
plete their discredit was, that the Pythoness
whose miraculous influence had been extolled
by the author, had not found, on her return to
St. Petersburgh, what she might have hoped
from that influence had it been real and merited.

Being considered with that calm impartiality
which the Globe professes, it does appear to me
that the pamphlet of M. Empeta could not fur-
nish it with sufficiently accurate data.
Without at all prejudging the Holy Alliance,
as it appeared to the civilized world in its results,
still it may be acknowledged that its first con-
ception did not merit the reproaches which .were
so liberally heaped upon it upon its subsequent
developments.
Though intrepid in the midst of dangers,
Alexander I. had a horror of war. Being
thoroughly acquainted with the abuses which
caused the discontent of nations, lie hoped that
during the continuance of a long peace, the want
of which began generally to be felt, the European
Governments, recognizing the necessity of un-
dertaking the reforms which the wants of the age
called for, would seriously employ themselves in
executing them.
To accomplish this purpose, a profound tran-
quillity was indispensable; and as the disorders
which had followed each other during nearly 30
years, appealed to have greatly weakened the old
ideas of order and subordination, lie thought
that he could supply their influence by making
.a solemn appeal to religion.
On the part of this monarch, at least, there
can be no doubt but that this appeal emanated
from the pure impulse of his noble heart ; and I
shall shortly have occasion to state to you some
facts in proof of his sincerity ; but the genius of
evil quickly attacked these philanthropic concep-
tions, and turned them perversely against their
benevolent author.
The assemblage in the plain of Vertus of a
Russian army, Amounting to 160,000 men,
ready fur service, had struck .with stupor the di-
plomatists of Europe, who were present at the
imposinu spectacle ; but this display of the
military forces of a great empire caused much less
terror, than the invisible and moral power, which
had created the magnanimity and the well-known
principles of the Monarch who commanded these
troops. At this moment it was that from the
north to the south, and from the west to the
east, the eyes of the oppressed were directed to-
v;ards Alexander I.; but from this moment is
also to be dated the conspiracy which was con-
certed in ;'fcret to despoil him of that formidable
moral power, which had given to him, as auxili-
aries, all the friends of knowletlgc and humanity,
in a word all good men.
Disposed from his innate moderation to POP'
sent to every thing which might inspire confi-
dence against his preponderating influence, and
willing at any price to dissipate the terrors which
it was pretended were experienced, he agreed to
the formation of an Areopagean Court, where
the simple plurality of suffrages should decide
upon the measures to be taken in common for
the maintenance of the general tranquillity.
The genius of evil quickly perceived what
might be gained from this generous abnegation
of a preponderating influence. To the odious
direction which was given to the march of pub-
lic affairs, is to be imputed the change Which
took place in the confidence of nations, and the
magnanimous monarch who had so just a title to
it saw it pass away from him, amidst the impious
Applause of the enemies of his glory, who dared
to impute to his all-powerful will the most un-
pcnu/ar measures which they had themselves dic-
tated at their Areopagus. Europe knows now
whom to blame for those deeds, and posterity,
ever just, %cal mark with its ineffaceable seal the
guilty.
I have promised to relate facts which would
prove that Alexander I. availed himself of the
peace created by the Holy Alliance, to apply
himself to the reform of abuses.
On the 16th of May, 1816, the ukase was
signed which enfranchized the serfs of Esthonia,
as well as the organic law which fixed their rights
and duties—a difficult measure, which had been
in preparation from the commencement of the
reign of Alexander 1., and prosecuted by him
with indefatigable perseverance—a measure which
demanded equal respect for the rights of all, on
which account it was supported by the noble who
had extolled his philanthropy.
On the 25th of August, 1817, a similar mea-
sure was adopted in favour of the serfs of Cour-
land, anttaie Emperor, passing through Mittau
on the 30th 0,1 the same month, at the moment
when the deputies of the serfs were assembled
to hear their enfranchisement proclaimed, with
his accustomed kindness took the trouble to ex-
plain to them himself the real nature of the ukase.
In January, 1819, he repealed ate ancient
laws which prohibited certain classes of his s:,lb-
jects from the exercise of trades and manufactures.
A decree of amnesty, published on the 12th
of December, 1812, in favour of the poh,ol in-
surgents who had joined Napoleon, repealed Oita
sequestration of their property, commanded eter-
nal forgetfulness of die past, and prohibited for
the future all inquiry as to that affair. The re-
generation of Poland followed in 1818. On
the 27th of March in the same wear, on open-
ing the Diet, Alexander pronouri.ced these me-
morable words The organization which was
itl Action in your country has permitted the int,
mediate establishment of that which I have given
you, and the putting into practice -of the prin-
ciples of those liberal institutions which have
conktantly been the object of my solicitude, and