Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-08-02

Opposite COnOuCts ne 1MHt d1ate pfeSCT-
walton of the Austrian monarchy was the
emperor's first and hottest duty and on
the mcurnful concurrence Of events which
had taken place, this WAS become the ccm.
mon interest OF all regents and nations which.
had not altogether and forever renowned
the felicity Of Independents existence. In
the situation of the emperor at that epoch,
to have set the existence Of Austria on a
throw would have been manifest contra
diction to what his majesty owed to himself
and his faithful subjects, and would besides
have broken in upon all the prospects and
hopes of redemption entertained by all fell.
low-sufferers with himself.
His majesty thought himself so muchth
more entitled 10 adopt as the basis Of his
policy, system Of a temporary renuncia-
ton of all resistance which might compro-
mise the repose of the monarchy at SO dan.
gerous moment, as the earlier history and
uniformly consistent character of his 60
'vernment must forever absolye his majesty
from the suspicion Of considering exclusive
II his private interest, and INDUCING self
ism Indifference 70 the welfare Of nsighbor-
Ing States. What the emperor had done,
during long series Of Years, to oppose a
barrier against the torrent of universal ruin
which had been rushing in, was known J;
what had frustrated his Efforts was not less
notorious. Now it was of moment to yield
to necessity. An insulated and untimely
resistance would have been then as assured
~ and essentially calamitous to Austria,
Germany and Europe, as at an earlier peri
cd the inactivity OF other powers, and their
deplorable system OF separation.
His majesty therefore resolved to prevent
all useless and painful discussions of sub
ject, the bearings OF which were, besides,
SUBJECT to no doubt. This resolution was
facilitated by the unqualified subservienoy
and subjection which appeared to promote,
on all sides the success OF SO violent re.
voutlon, through the silence of all other
lowers, and especially the marked noliffer-
ence with which aconHderal lie part of Ger
many btheio the destruction OF the ancient
institutions. &C be compelled to maintain
+, aims, crown which had been entrusted
20 him by the legal election Of the imperial
states, which had been worn with glory for
centuries BY his lllustrious anct stors, for the
protection ant! welfare OF the empire, would,
under less oppressive circumstances, have
put The dignity and sensibilty Of his mates.
ty to a painful trial. He laid down this
crown.
Ii might have been believed that so i'm
poTtant a step would at least not have failed
TO improve his relations towards France. -
But the state OF things remained the same.
None OF the outsta, ding conditions of the
peace were performed every attempt to
procure their execution was answered with
reproaches and threats. Far from any way
taking into account all that Austria had
done for the maintenance OF peace, the |
French cabinet seemed, on the contrary, re-
solved to avail itself Of every proof she had
given OF moderator and submission, as a
basis and step TO make still severer demands |
and it is hard to determine whether this con-
slant and hostile irritation might, even then
have led, in spite of all the efforts of his ma
lesty, if the breaking out of war with
Prussia had not occasioneda necessary pause.
His majesty could not possibly behold with
indifference the progress and issue Of this
war. The fate which had befallen the Prus-
sian monarchy and the royal house of It's So
yereign, was in itself severe enough to a.
wake the liyeliest sympathy; and the easily
calculated consequences ct this event affect
ed the interests OF the Austrian States on SO
many and such critical points, that the
gloomiest apprehensions for the future APP
peared to be justified on all sides. Totake
share in such a conflict, at any other period
would from the most urgent and landable
motives, have been his duty but now mo-
tives to which all others were forced to weld I
had imposed the necessity of following a