Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-26
The Divine Right" Of Kings Dsv...


In reply to the reproach made bv ....
members OF the opposition that the B,,.
ministers had unjustly abandoned the ,'i..&
ished sovereisns Of the Italian Durbir. i..
John Russell. in the British House a, =, -
mons, indicated himself and his eolle., -'
in the following words, and boldly ,,,r.'
the doctrine which every American viii
plaud, that the right of the people !. HAY
than and should prevail against. the all.
divine right of kings and princes.
Now. sir, with regard to that future d.
honorable gentleman. the member far n.
sham, says that while spoke Of the ,i,,,
of the people of Tuscany and Modena, am.
ted to notice the rights of the sovereign, 49,
reign over them. am afraid that IN >,
eyes Of the honorable gentleman. ANA
hereto in that respect because. althou,.
have q great respect for soyercIgnS who h..
for generations maintained tLcm,clye, ~,
their thrones. and received the Ioyal re.,...
Of their subjects, have no belief IN the
trine such rs the University of CsmLriJ,.
once affirmed, which gives 10 the soyprr,,
an Inherent ight to reign, tina; no fauIr -
alter or diminish. Hear, hear. | cam.
subscribe to doctrine of that kind aud /,
look up to the sovereigns of Europe, ,eem,,,
of them who could never subscribe a n,
doctrine that Il people have no right u,.,
fault or upon offence, to declare that ill.,,
will no longer give their obedience to -.
ereign who has not afforded them pro,ec,ir
and who has rightly forfeited their ae,
ance. To take the latest instance first. n.
King Of the Belgians owes his crown to
popular revolution. Such. too. though a.,
more remote date, is the foundation OF ,.
right Of the King of Holland, who owe, h,
throne to u popular revolt against the crova
Of Spain. Such is the foundation of the ri,.,
of the King of Sweden, to whose crown thr,.
il even now pretender. Such, in fact.
the right Of the Emperor of the French toll,
throne. Hear, hear. If the right of leg,
imacy were to prevail, who but the Duke
Bordeaux could claim the allegiance Of To.
people of France. and yet they pay no s.-.
glance to him, but yield their willing ,c.-
mission TO the Emperor who now rule, Oy-:
them. Such, likewise, is the foundation
the right Of our own dynasty. Cheer.
Our sovereign can claim no right superior
that derived from the decision of the PSI
Lament and people of Great Britain, tbs,
the throne was forfeited 10y the HOUSE
Stuart, in consequence OF their violation d.
the rights of the people and their Withdraw
ing from the country over which they reigue..
If such is the case, is ltal y 10 be the only
country the people OF which are not 10 exerc,s
this power? Hear, hear. Are the people
of Italy. who, as nave SAID, have been :.
moderate and 81 just in their proceeding.
who have committed no Outrage. who ha,.
taken part in no violence, To be deprived i
that right, Of that power which had been e1er.
cised in Belgium, in Holland, III sweden 90
France, and in Great Britain? cannot b.
party to denying them that right. Hear
hear. On the contrary. believe that ii y.I
allow the people of ltal y Ia settle their owa
concerns hear, hear and that is the d.,
trine which my noble friend and myself base
always held in this House, especially during
the whole course of the present session.
you will allow the people of Italy, Whether
they have hitherto lived under the rule o thr
King of Sardinia, or of the Grand Duke 4
Tuscany, or of the Duke Of Modena. under
the Pope. or under the King Of the Two Sci
lies, to settle with their sovereigns On VIA!
terms they shall pay their allegiance, there
will no longer exist the irritation and dlscJa
tent which has so long prevailed but theyw.l
proceed, with peace and order, To establish
the foundations Of good government. VIZ
respect to our conduct i'll these natter !
have no wish to interfere prematurely, OFT
keep up constant intervention in the a'ilr'
Of other nations, but, Ut the same TIM
| cannot forget the history of my countr!.
connot be blind to her greatness, nor can
forget her duties She has duties to Fury
rs she has duties to her own people"