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.
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