The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-09-14
The Righ Of Re v OlutiON II &C ognized
tT In EurOue, ..-.

The Right OF Rev OlutiOu II Recognized
I'm Europe.
Lurd John Russell in recent debate in
the British Parliament boldly proclaimed
the right of the people to depose their
sovereigns and elect others. 1t is one of the
strongest evidences of the progress of free
principles in Europe, to hear minister of
the crown declaiming the right of the peo-
pie to revolutionize an established Govern
ment. In reply to the reproach made by
certain members of the opposition, that the
British ministers had unjustly abandoned
the banished sovereignS of the Italian Ouch
les, Lord John Russell vindieated himself
and his colleagues in the following words,
and boldly asserted the doctrine that the
right of the people is higher than, and
should prevail against, the alleged "divine
right" of kings and princes:
"Now, sir, with regard to that future,
the honorable gentleman, the member for
Horsham, says that while l spoke of the
rights of the people of Tuscany and Modena
| omitted to notice the rights of the SOW
ereigns who reign over them. am afraid
that in the eyes of the honorable gentleman
| am great hereto in that respect, because,
although Ihave great respectfor sOvereigns
who have for generations maintained them
selves on their thrones, and received the
loyal respect of their subjects, have no be-
lief in the doctrine, such as the University
of Cambridge once affirmed, which gives to
the sovereign an inhe: ent right to reign,
that no fault can alter or diminish. Hear,
hear. | cannot subscribe to doctrine Of
that kind; and if Ido look up to the sovereigns
of Europe, | see many of them who could
never subscribe to the doctrine that a people
have no right upon fault or upon offence, to
declare that they will no longer give their
obedience to a sovereign who has not afford
ed them protection, and who has rightly
forfeited their allegiance.
To take the latest instance first the King
Of the Belgians owes his crown to a pOpu-
lar revolution. Such, too, though at a more
remote date, is the foundation of the right
of the King of Holland, who oweshis throne
to a popular revolt against the srown of
Spain. Such is the foundation of the right
of the King of Sweden, TO whose crown
there is even now pretender. Such, in
fact, is the right of the Emperor of the
French TO his throne. Hear, hear. If
the rightof Legitimacy were to prevail, who
but the Duke Of Bordeaux could claim the
allegiance of the people Of France? and yet
they pay no allegiance to him, but yield
their willing submission to the Emperor who
now rules over them. Such, likewise, is the
foundation of the right of our own dynasty.
TCheers.1 Oursovereign can claim no right
superior to that derived from the decision OF
the Parliament and people of Great Britain
that the throne was forfeited by the House
Of Stuart, in consequence of their violation
of the rights of the people and their with.
drawing from the country over which they
reigned. If such is the case, is Italy to be
the only country, the people of which are
not to exercise this power? Hear, hear.
Are the people of Italy, who, as have
said, have been so moderate and SO just in
their proceedings, who have committed nc
outrages, who have taken part in no VIC.
lence, to be deprived of that right, of that
power which has been exercised in Bel
gium in Holland, in Sweden, in France
and in Great Britain? cannot be party
to denying them that right. Hear, hear.
On the contrary, believe that if you allow
the people OF Italy TO settle their own con-
cern-[ hear, hear land that is the doctrine
which my noble friend and myself have al
ways held in this House, especially during
the whole course Of the present session.
you allow the people of Italy, whether they
have. hitherto lived under the rule of tn,
King of Sardinia, or of the Grand Duke o
Tuscany, or Of the Duke of Modens, unde
the Pope, or under the King of the TIVE
Sicilies, TO settle with their sovereigns OF
what terms they shall pay their allegiance
there will no longer exist the irritation AM
discomfort which has so long prevailed; bu
they will proceed, with peace and order, Il
establish the foundations of good govern
ment. With respect to our conduct in thes
matters, | have no wish TO interfere prema
turely, or to keep up constant Intervention
in the affairs of other nations, but at tn
same time, I cannot forget the history o
my country. cannot be blind to he
greatness, nor can forget her duties. Sh
has duties to Europe as she has duties u
her own people"