The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-11-28
G. y. 1LglD g
PORTLAND. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER "a.
FOR THE GAZETTE.
EMPEROR ALEXANDER.


Monarchs, who for years, have had The rep
uIaiion OF possessing talents, learning, and hui
manly, nave at last been found imbecile,
ignorant, and barbarous; their communications,
which have indicated much intellect, turn on.
10 have been written by some able minister.
Alexander, the Emperor of Russia, has been
considered not only one Of the most powerful
but one of the most humane of Monarchs--a
sovereign, who sought not solely his own
good or that of his nation, but The good OF all
mankind. He has been thought 10 be the
advocate Of freedoom--ihe trIenJ OF peace
the supporter Of learning. and Of religion. In
his character were supposed to be blended the
firmness of the hero and the sympathy OF the
ph;lanibropis, the talents, that command
respect abroad, and the kindlier feeli,g. that
ensure affection at home. His state papers
have been remarkable for their pacific char.
acisr--a strain Of piety runs through them
that ha. iniu1ed many TO think he was \
sincere christian. 1t was hoped he would
continue TO support this character; but we re-
greet To say, that since the late revoui>n in
Spain and Naples. his paper, have developed
feelings Of different cast--,hey are not the
language of a heart anxious for the extension
Of freedom and the rights Of man. They
breathe spirit Of despolism--a dstefrniaa-
ten ,osupport the existing stale Of things in
Europe, however bad that state may be. He
plainly in,imates that the people ought to
make no effort to recover their liberty, or in
any manner change their government. though
their rulers may be bigoled and tyrannical.
Whether Alexander has in reality changed
hi. sentiments, or been acting a secret part,
to deceive the world, IN order to strengthen
his own power, ans to mature plans Of con-
quest, it might be difficult 10 determine but
his late osmoria to the Spanish minister, and
his speech to this Diet Of Poland Together
with the numerous forces. which be is said 10
have on the borders of Persia, speak the Ian
guage Of one ambitious OF unlimited authority.
When Spain threw Of the French yske, and
placed Ferdinand on the throne, every free
man rejoiced-it was TO have been expected
that he would have remunerated those brave
men, who sacrificed thar property and hax-
arded THAR lives for their kisg. But how did
10 reward them? Why, with chains, dun
geons, and bani,hnent. Weakness, ingraii-
tude, cruelty and superstition have marked
the reign Of Ferdinand. When The m.eries
Of the Spanish people became too great for
endurance, they rose and demanded SiSair
rigSts-dsnasde that constitution, which
they obtained at so gtea, an expense Of blood
and treasure. Thsn il was that the mighty
auiocrat OF Russia lifted his Voice against them,
and said, they ought to return to their for
mer state Of suffering lie cannot bear that
kings should hsve any limit, Sc! 10 their pow
err aud no sooner does the light Of indePen-
dence begin to DAVIS Oh Spain, than Alsxaa-
der declares that" the future, for Spain, aP-
pears under sombrous and disturbed aspect.
No sooner does liberty begin to arouse from
her sunbers, than he SAYS that well founded
d,squistude must be awakened throughout
Europe"
Truly his memorial and bis speech in the
Diet OF Poland, place the character Of Alex
ander in an odious light. If he be real
lover of religion, why does he not rejoice at
the overthrow OF that most abomlnable OF all
tribunals, and most horrid of all tor,ures, the
Ingmsition A tribunal, whose deeds have
been alike revolving to humanity and reason.
The Emperor, indeed, talks to the Poles Of
religion, and "pure liberty" but that liber-
ty must consist in obeyins him implicitly, for
he declares thai regulations once laid down,
shall be strictly adhered to--that he will new
er negotiate about his principles, nor ever
submit to consent 10 any Thing, that may OPP
pose ,hem." J.