Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-10-11
From The Liverpoo' 5tercny, Jujy 25.
P0LlTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

PlObiolY CIpSc ulc IlOiiLlCal existence OF man
VINO has sustained greater part OH the theatre
OF Europe than any polentate, statesman or war
rior, ct modern times. The concluding events
ct his career have passed with AN Astonishing
rapldlty. In the short space of four months, we
have beheld HIM in exile, an emperor, a fugitive
and captive. These four months contain mat
ter not only OF interest to- the Philosopher, and
OF deep research 10 the future historian, but o
The highest importance to him who looks for
ward to The progress ofihe cause of FREEDOM
The overthrow Of Bonaparte both now and N the
spring or last year, ought to be closely nvesti-
,Saled, and tee more we discover It's causes, the
more VIII the great lessen exhibited by 1T both to
sov2reigGs and TO nations, be understood. The
prominent circumstance N his fall is his insatia-
bic ambitiOn. lie was furnished with power by
Tie .'rencl people which he abused to their des-
traction and ms own. lie could not content
himsefwi,h the character of the champion of
freedom: he sought only for military renown
conomed with sovereign power his recent tenn
poraTy possession Of ,hc French throne, his at
tachment to tile nominal RANK OF imperial dig1I-
~, seems TO have been tenacious even to degree
or infatuated obs-nacy: ms rum IS probably u
be entirely attributed TO the reluctance winch the
patriotic party iii France must have felt against
assisting III ms views for little is that party
had TO expect from the Bourbons, still less con-
hdence was due 10 the idol OF victorious soldi-
cry, who seemed resolved to defend the national
independence of France, only that he might pos
sess 1t IN entire sovereignty, and transmit It's crown
to his own dynasty. Whether the patriotic par
ty are able to improve the cI. cumstances OF his
fall 10 the benefit OF mankind, TO the establish
mcnt uf any one OF these principles OF liberty for
which the human race have been con, ending
with the preiudiCes of ancient and ignorant lnsti.
tutions, Is aquesuon OK difficult solution. Bul
on examining the appearance that France 1T pre-
sent offers TO us, we see no reason to despair.
Log nanI IN, ~ 4.
provinces, lherea large foreign armies. Tn.
object OF the potentates to whom such extended
forces appertaln, are security against the opera
ton OF popular pr.nc piles, and personal ag6rau-
dizement. They have, however, opponent
20 the first Of these OBJ ects, which the force nei-
tner OF bayonets or artillery can subdue: Ms
increase Of political kno7vLedge. IL is also prob;-
bic, that If n their other oDJect, they am at d.
vidng France, they viii rouse spirit through
out that country, which viii strengthen the ar
mics under DaNo and Suchet, and originate
other war, otas sanSunary Character, as that
which they hope 10 have terminated with SO much
glory.
After contest offve and twenty years, the
European sovegegns have succeeded IN destroy
ing government IN France, which, whatever was
ITS orIgn, sIeatlyresembled their own despotism
and was weak exactly in proportion as it approx
mated in character to them. They have gained
no victory over those principles, which at the
beginning Of the French revolution Ihcy pledged
themselves TO counterfeit On the contrary,
those PRINCIPLES have become every where more
prevalent. Russia, i'll receiving the DOMINION Of
Poland, has acknowledged the Representatives sys-
TEN, and has engaged herself TO introduce II lu;o
those parts of ,Aat Kingdom, which have been 50
long under the despotic authority CT Austria and
Prussia. Even the military tyranny OF Prussia
has been Obliged 70 concede much to the yoicc o,
apeopIe, and legislature body composed Of depa-
Ties, chosen by the inhabitants OF the various
states, IS TO form part OF the PrGsslan govern
ment. The ieUda! system Is completely broken
up Saxon and Prussia have mutually surren-
dered what were termed their .tsHdaL righ.s--.
rights founded entirely upon the oppression OF the
people. The Netherlands iii RECEIVING mon
arch, with authority extended over the turmei
aristocrauc republic oiHyiiGnd, and the miXed &
ambiguous governments CtF!u.degS, are 20 nave
the reprcGeHLGHvs system on an eE ,cusye plan,
each deputy to be elected by ABOUT two thousand
persons Ii some fragments OF iGUdaiIsln arc 10
be found IN the new German confederation, they
are to be attributed 20 the cOmp.cG situation OF
the states that compose 1t; and the trends Of
freedom will still have reason 10 congratulate
themselves, thai popHiar rights, haze, there,
been acknowledged mnong ~. the dlscorC!ant
Claims OF thousand pe,ty sOv-re.su..es From,
Sicily TO Norway, The RIGHT Oh tie people 10 par
ticipate IN tEe.r own gov e.nneut nUs ycen s.sser-
aluHttcdA The great western peninsula OF Eu
rope, containing the superst.tJuS t.IrOnes OF
SPAN and Portugal IS the only portion OF the
most civilized quarter OF the globe, ia which
10 ELECTS otthe British represcJ,tahUs Sysfem o.
freedom appear to nave t...cn Foot.--Ine cOase-
queices OF the wm IN that cs,0n asainst lie la
vasion oil Bonaparle, have bee. ,rwiscIent Tie
principles winch tire cortes endcav0ged 10 propa-
gate, lad nothing to support thein against the
return cf superstition and despOtsn-
In tins genera. vIcw OF ice progress Of the
Representatives. SysssH aud OF the S,e"s,ye &o.now.
iedSment thai ne people oubh., ufoUgi TIA.
s. ten, TO participate al The government, we nave
80 conclude that tic cause " k5syty has been eni
nentiy Ultsui0Hs. 1. ms Ob,aHcC pernaps,
much as II - possible for 1t to Obtain, the pc.
sent circumstances OF mankind. knowledge,
tltough dey d.tiused, has NOT sc. removed some
q! thc strongest prCludces. Men stiLI revere
the most oeDisJIg institutions ihe s-nctity Oi
aHt,quity stl gives IN awe 20 ignorance and 70
error: Inc speudOr OF COUqucYt, and the Cnthu
siasm Of military rcuogn reduced thousands ~
France, at the moment that her freedom was
making itself ic.t 10 eFcry corner Oh Europe, 10
tie 5efviic admiration Of successful genera, and
drew 10 an imperial throne, that hoaOr winch WAS
due 10 the energies OF arcpublc. Tie precedence
u HejFy 10 therefore Gmiiedb By the ssaRt n RHue,-
SCI kHo.yiedgc; even knowledge itseii, RON Tie
yefl iInpcfiCctJHS Of human nature, must sc 81
ways huctWtlng; II may sometimes rccede as
wei as incrcasc; but Tie political Improvements
that accompany that increase are SD many fixed
and rernpaent advantage gained by n,tnSind.--
They Az Ike strong holds, ,he f0rue5ses, Of hu-
man WciTuF. and it e the business OF an those