Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-06-11
From she Federal Republican,
SPEECH
OF
RcBERT G. HARPER, ESQ.
AT THE cELEBRATroN OF THE
RUSSIAN VIcTORIES.
ON THE 5TH INSTANT.

But opened and warmed as our hearts
must be for the reception OF this senll-
ment, by all that surrounds us, ana all
that we have seen, we can hardly feel II
as VIC ought, unless we recal' more ols'
tinctly to our view, those peculiar fca-
lures of the deiverance which Alexan'
der has been madeline chief instrument
of a merciful providence IN eHectins,
whereby it is characterized as the great
est and most interesting event In the
shistory of mankind.
The consequences which must nave
flowed from the subiugation or the SUD-
mission of Russia, the magnitude OF the
force with which she was assalled, and
the extent of her victory over II, COM
pose the most striking Of these features.
Without considering the subject IN each
of these points of view, it is Impossible
fully to appreciate the deliverance Which
we are assembled to celebrate, or the
claims Of him by whom it was achieved,
to our admiration and gratitude,
The situation of the world when the
attack en- Russia commenced, ard the
character and views of him by whom 1t
was made, will disclose to Us the conse-
quences which must have been produc-
ed, by her overthrow or submission.
She then formed the last barrier OF
continental Europe, Austria had been
crippled and overawed Prussia totally
subdued; the German confederacy dis
solved, the German governments en-
shaved, and the whole physical and mo.
raj force of that numerous, intelligent &
warlike people, which long formed the
coanterpoise Of France, and maintained
the balance of power in Europe, had
been placed I'm Ter the control efthe uni
yersal enemy. The Italians, people
possessing little national character or re-
putation, because they had never pos
sessed national government, but active
robust * acute, Astounding in wealth, at
all times remarkable for genius, patient
and obedient and by no means deficient
in courage, were reduced under his
absolute dominion. Denmark was sub.
missive to his will Sweden, though
reluctant, was compelled to acquiesce
in his designs. That part of Poland
which had formerly belonged to Prussia
was, in fact, though not in form, a part
of his empire, and brought him into
contact with the frontiers of Russia
The Turks were not indeed his allies,
but their policy was wagering, their
future course uncertaiB, and the war in
which they we're engaged with Russia
produced all the effect OF direct co-ope-
ration.
Thus, of all the nations ofcoDtinensal
Europe, Russia, Spain and Portugal a
lone remained exempt from his power.
More than three lourths of Spain was
occupied By his armies /; and although
the Spaniards made constant and
brave resistance, their efforts were yet
so much enfeebled by the divisions a.
monp their chiefs, the treachcry of some,
The incapacity OF many, and the mex
periepce of all; by the imbecility OF their
government, it's want OF authority, and
lis frequent changes that little hope
remained Of their maintaining the ground
shat was left to them, much less OF their
expeliing the. enemy from their country,
and none of their making such diver
sion against him, in his own. territories
or elsewhere, as could materially affect
his operations in other quarters.
The English, under the conduct OF
their Justly celebrated commander,
commander, uho, though be did not
conquer the French, Showed that they
might be conquered, s. by what means;
who in the military art, like Bacon In
science, taught mankind what might be
done, and how it might be done /; the
English, under such a commander, and
with the aid of the Portuguese them
selves, might hope TO exclude the com.
non enemy from Portugal; but this was
I'll that they could hope; and OF that
hope they must be deprived, whenever
he should be left free to turn his nndi-
> sided force against them there.
England and Russia therefore stood
alone. The utmost efforts of England,
ailiag the Spaniards and Portuguese, <
aided by them, were barely sufficient to
exclude the enemy from Portugal, and
keep him at bay in Spain. She could
spare nothing for the direct assistance
Of Russia, except cooperation OF
fleet in the Baltic, and even that aid, not
:ery effectualin itself, would be likeiyto
become wholly Intellectual IN the season
of seycrest trial, by reason OF the ice. q
Such was the situation of Europe at
the moment OF attack; and the war which
at the same moment was declared by
the United States against England, was
so timed, Whatever might have been the
intention of its authors, as to have the
effect Of direct and hot ineonsiderablc
cooperation with France. THIS war of
the United States against Britain was
declared June 18th, 1872. That of
Fr.nce AGAINST Russia, July Sd, 1919.