The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 298 pages of information about The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 298 pages of information about The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator.
by Russia, and he did so with success.  He interfered to protect the Italians against the hordes of Austria, and with such effect that the Kingdom of Italy has been called into existence through his action, when there was not another sovereign in the world who would have fired a shot to prevent the whole Italian Peninsula, and the great islands of Sicily and Sardinia, from becoming Austrian provinces.  He interfered to protect the Christians of the East against the fire and sword of the Mussulmans, and it is under the shadow of the French flag alone that Christianity can be preached in the Lebanon and in the Hollow Syria, in the aged Damascus and in the historical Sidon.  He has interfered to assist England in China, whereby there has been a new world, as it were, opened to the enterprise of commerce.  He has falsified the predictions of those who have seen in him only the enemy of England, and who have told us twice a year, for nine years past, that he would attempt to throw his legions into Kent, and to march them upon London.  He has added nothing to the territory of France that has not been honorably acquired.  Having thus redeemed Europe from degradation, and not having justified the fears of those who expected him to renew the old duel between France and England, his continued prosperity may be earnestly desired by Liberals everywhere, and with perfect consistency; for can any intelligent man venture to say that there would be any hope for a better state of things, either for France or for Europe at large, should his rule be changed for that of either branch of the Bourbons, or for that of the Republicans, Red or Blue?  Considering the good that he has done, and the evil that he might have done, and yet has refrained from doing, he will compare advantageously with any living ruler; and mankind can overlook his errors in view of his virtues,—­save and except those men whom he vanquished at their own weapons, and whose chief regret it is, that, being no better political moralists than was the Prince-President, their immorality was fruitless, while his, according to their interpretation of his history, gave him empire.  Other men, whom his success has not consigned to partisan darkness, will judge him more justly, and say that his victory was the proper meed of superior ability, and that whatever was vicious in his manner of acquiring power has been redeemed by the use he has almost invariably made of that power.  He is not without sin; but if he shall not die until he shall be stoned by saints selected from governments and parties, his existence will be prolonged until doomsday.

* * * * *

CONCERNING THINGS SLOWLY LEARNT.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.