Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1804-06-01

Pope and the Emperor, Is swayed BY the
same sceptre, or rather by the same
sword, that regulates the destinies Of
France. Allthe possessions ofthe house
of Austria on the left bank Of the Rhine,
between Zarraeh. and Basic, have been
coded to the Helvetic republic in re-
turn for this, a new constitution has ben
sketched nnt, in the cabinet Of the eonsu-
lar palace, recommended by an imperi-
GUS mandate; = and enforced by republican
bayonets. Such are the triumphs Of q
people whose territories are liberated
from feudaI bondage, whose agriculture
is unfcttered by ecclesiastical imposts,
whose measure Of military glory is COM
plete, and who want civil liberty alone
to rival the splendour and happiness of
the most famous nations of antiquity.
But although the herd ofmankind Is
generally governed by events and consi-
ders nothing unjust provided it be sue:
cessful, it may be necessary to discrimi-
nate, and endeavour, If possible, like
an enlightened and impartial posterity,
to deliberate before we presume either
to censure or 70 praise. The recent his
tory of France presents no less than Eve
grand epochs, all Of which are Interest,"
ing, buteaeh variesin shape and feature
from that which precedes, as well as that
which follows it. The characters too
are entirely different; for while one con-
fers honor on man, considered as So
cial being, another covers the human
species with opprobrium and disgrace.
The gentle reign Of orators, statesmen,
and Legislators is soon forced to yield to
the brutal sway Of demagogues and men
of blood the warriors, accustomed to
rule by the sword, and alike content in
every age and country, then push the
eexecutioners rncircled with civic oak
; from the scaffolds on which they sit en-
throned, and almost etl;terate their own
= misdeeds by the splendor: Of their victo-s
ries. n, - 81:
j" The first period exhibits numerous
body OF men long retained in thraldom
by the despotism Of their mouarchs, a.
rotising from the slumber ofages, indig-
nantly bursting their manacles, and de-
elaring themselves free. The despots
| of the continent, decked in the recent
spoils Of violated Poland, Immediately.
associate, under pretence of assisting i
prince more gentle, more amiable, and
consequently more beloved, than them
selves i; a war ensues, the shock of arms
takes place, and the forests Of Argonde
and the heights of Vaimy; decide a cam
paigu pregnant with the fate Of Frame
| and Of Europe. How glorious the strus-
gle of a liberated nation! how resplen-
dent the victory Of a confederated people
against so mary combined kings But
sudden transition takes place, and all the
horrors of civil seem fated to accom-
pany all the disasters of a foreign war.
A sovereign, revered as martyr by one
portion of the nation, and detested as
traitor by another, perishes by violent
death monarchy itself is annihilated
with Louis XVII. &arepublic proclaim
ed upon his tomb. The founders of the
commonwealth are doomed to perish in
their turn, and that too by the same in
strument employed for the decollation OF
the last Of the Bourbon kings. Robes
pierre, adored BY, the popuiaee during
his life, 3and Marat, dei6ed after his as
sassination, are then waited along san
| culinary torrent to the possession Of su-.
preme power, and rule for while by
means Of spies and executioners.
"A less unfaxorable epoch now pre-
sents itself, and the directorial govern
ment promises to repair the errors and
the crimes Of the: tyrant. Immense ar
mics take the field, decisive battles are
fought, great victories are achieved, and
Germany is prepared for dismembsr-
ment and Italy for subjugation. =,
-,=%ss' At length military leader arises,
and conquers, first for the republic, and
then for himself. In consequence of a
peace, as brilliant as the war. which he
had achieved, he seems to consider Eu.
rope as too small a theatre for his amhi.