Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-06-12
EONEIGN.
.Ans7Oer Of the President Of the .Neafloh-
tan Parliament to the sheech Of the
Prince Royal.

1TiHCe ACyHt.
Your royal highness--Polished and
civilized communities are, doubtless,
they who, rising above the other nations
which cover the surface OF the earth,
love those laws and constitutions which
secure their tranquility, their industry
and their enjoyment of the arts and SCI
ences, by which they are distinguished
from barbarians. An Industrious and
cultivated nation is naturally pacific, and
useful to its neighbors-it envies not
their glory nor their greatness--conti-
nually occupied in improving its own in
situations, protected by wise and liberal
legislation, it loves its actual condition,
it seeks not to change that for doubt
full iuturity--it respects the rights OF
others, because it comprehends all the
advantages which fow from system of
peace and moderation.
1t is on these bases that our ancestors
founded their laws, and built up their
institutions. They we're the foremost
among the most celebrated people Of
the universe to distinguish themselves
throughout long period ofcivilization.
The errors into which mankind have fall
len from the influence of time, from the
neglect Of religion, and the corruption OF
morals, impaired amongst ourselves
those noble principles, on which depend
the power, the splendor, the celebrity
of nations. But an active, magnani-
nous, generous people can no longer
remain plunged in the thick darkness
which has surrounded them. They
have reused themselves from their le-
thargy, and within few short months
have run the career of ages, yet with
out any violent shock, yet without de-
stroying at single blow, all their an
cient institutions ; but uniting to this
unlocked for impulse the consent of the
lawful sovereign, twice testified on oath,
and consecra.ing the legitimacy Of the
throne, and of the reigning dynasty, by
vows no less spontaneous than sincere.
Heroic Spain applauds our magnani-
nous enterprise; the liberal govern
ments OF Europe, for the most part, APP
proveit; but dense cloud begins to rise
from the banks of the Danube, the tenn
pest precedes it, and threatens to extin-
guish that radiant light which springs
from the extreme bounds OF Sicily and
of Italy. We hasten to meet the tenn
pest: we strive TO appease it by prayers
and protestations all means are tried +;
every expedient is resorted to, except
| those only which belong to people al
ready vanquished and enslaved. All is
fruitless They ask us for guarantees
we offer them, for assurances of safety,
we give them. They summon our soye-
reign to the congress at Laybach: he re-
pairs thither. They require explanations
of our conduct, political and civil, nay
almost of our secret thoughts. We make
every sacrifice consistent with the honor
and dignity Of the nation; and l will add,
of the constitutional throne itself, but we
are wholly unsuccessful. What more
could we do What security was it pos
sible for us TO tender, beyond such a
composure as we exhibited; such re-
signation, such respect for the rights
of all nations and all monarchs But, |
repeat it, all was in vain--and unless the
Supreme Being, the protector of inno-
cence and Justice, should enlighten the
minds of kings, and touch the hearts of
their counsellors, it would be difficult to
preserve peace.
Rumor, (sad messenger Of the calami-
ties which impend over nations,) had
long since announced, that cloud
charged with lightning and tempest, was
approaching our native country. Your
royal highness, in calling together. an ex-
traordinary parliament, has still added
strength to our suspicions.--The dis
course which, with so much feeling, you
have delivered from the throne of your
ancestors, has changed our doubts into
certainty. The contents of the official do.
cuments which accompany your speech,
are for us melancholy augury; and
perhaps, the whole nation will be com.
PEELED to throw aside the system of mo.
Iteration which has distinguished it, tc
enforce all its rights, and to display it
self in full dignity before the face o
Europe.
AS for US, we wanted nothing at thu
hands of neighboring nations. We re
spect all governments, however contrast
ed may be their constitutions with ou
own; VIC wish to live at peace in ou