Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-15
rRox tn. AURORA.
THE ACE OF REVOLUTIONS.

, terate abuses and corruptions of an ancient
Sovernment--the vices of Degenerate dv.
uasty--the enormities of a rapacious hier.
archy, and consuming noblesse--in the
trced torpor of the human mind. in the
midst of the finest country in Europe.
Ibis reyolution has. during its existence.
exhibited greater variety Of proaipious e.
vents than is to be found ih all ancient histo
ny. =
Every civilized nation has felt its effects.
and been directly or remotely brought with
The elements of social order have hen
: at times totally dissolved-partially restor
ed-again broken down, and again new SUI
perstfucturcs established upon Sounfiatiop.
presumed co be durable, but in a short time
destined to be shaken to their bases.
Absolute and arbitrary power and leeis.
iation. have temporised with popular com.
plant and the compromise appeared for an
instant suspicious to mankind-but a new
shock plunged the whole into disorder. and
the unbridied licence of the human passions
prevailed through whole people. where a
single will had been the law.
The convulsien affected the whole of Eu.
rope and all the vices of ambition and
avarice, rapacity, envy and prit,e-the pre-.
!uuices OF ages, came ia conflict, with the
iaoors and the light of inteliect--the institu
lions OF oar0arous ages assailed, shrunk be-
lore the might OF the mind Instructed by.
reason and phiiosophy-the powers of sei-
ehce ana genius prevailed over those of bru,
.ai force directed only by partial interests
rby ancient nabits.
But the ignorant became experienced. and
by being beat were taught; the public ;m;.
tated the teachers, and at the end Of TWEEN.
ty four years the account stands between
nations balanced by total loss.
LIE Bourbons, whom every nation in Fin.
rope was taught to fear in the 18th century
were Frustrated in the 18th. and, after
twenty years of exile, are restored in the
18TH Century
ihe house of Austria, which in the 1sth
century was the dread of Europe. three
umcs condemned to make peace with its
hereditary rival, in its own capital-after
having given queen to the Bourbons, ard
fought tor them against revolutionary
france gives an empress to the hero of the
FRENCH revolution and extraordinary to
TELL becomes'a powerful agent in dethroning
his empress daughter, and restoring the
ancient dynasty Gifts rivals.
The Russians, unknown until the l7th5
century among civilized nations-after in
vadlpg and being driven from Italy and Hell
~~'e~-.~t'~h cShiS OOdtC1 tTOUt Tic lJ2nuOe
70 the Neimen, after conflagrating the CAPT.
tai of the ancient princes of Moscow, to
defeat the glory of its assailant--- pours forth
into Its deserts torrent If fierce barbarians
through Germany, and into the bosom of
France land in the capital of the nation
Which has triumphed over all that the an
Gent Romans and the most renowned of mo-
dern nations ever achieved or ruled--in that
very Capita dictates thedethronement of the
herh OF France, and the restoration of the
ancient dynasty.
Such is the simple bat astonishing exterior
OF the revolution of twenty tour years-wbich
replaces France within its ancient limits and
under its ancient lords-and leaves the mon
archs OF Europe to regulate the fate and for
tunes, the liberties, and the condition, of the
people, uncontrolled.
But this picture, so amazing on the exterior,
possesses characteristics more interesting 10
mankind-the manner III which these operations
have been brought to bear---thc influence Of
that manner upon the late of natons-the conse-
quencts which must flow from these reyoIu.
tions-the l@iitude and range of their collate.
raj effects-will they be wholesome or perni-
cious to mankind Will peace be the neces.
sary effect, as it has been held to be the propos-
ed object OF the great coalition Wilt OBJ.
Jects Tor which the coalition against France
was begun and conducted, be accomplished by
the restoration Of tie Bourbons Will the ma.
tions who have triumphed, use their success
with moderation and magnsnmity, or with inso.
lence and tyrannyl
Will the spirit of commerce be restrained
or abridged! Will the internal industry of
nations be enlarged or limtedi Will the
navy of France be tolerated-wiIi the ships
at Antwerp be carried to Brest or to
Pcrtsmouth--or will Antwerp itself remain
with Francei Will the feet taken by ca
pitulation at Toulon in 1000, be restored
Will Mauritius and ST. Domingo return to
the Bourbons viii the nations Of Europe
consent to abridge their internal manufac.
tures-to Cease to be their own carriers at
scar
thousand such enquiries are naturally
involved in the recent fevolution--and teach
us to expect that the revolutions Of the age
arc not yet tcrminated-but
But How stands the account of our for
tunes and prospects in this eventful time
What are we TO expect will be the result
e. the u. States In this great crisis Of human
affairs.
tive possess virtue as nation, we are a.
dequate to meet every issue.
But whether vir,uous or depraved, we
can m longer fold our arms and wait for c
yents--we must make our own fortunes, or
we shall be unmade--
The 'Musion and the deinsion of French
influence no longer remains.
What have we To expect as a republic
from the monarchs of Europef
The lever of Archimedes could not be
more powerful than the influence Of England;
1t has moved the universe.