To bring about a general organization and a general union, much delicacy of handling was necessary.  The sentiment of extreme Catholicism and Monarchism was not to be suddenly scared into opposition.  The Prince, therefore, in all his addresses and documents was careful to disclaim any intention of disturbing the established religion, or of making any rash political changes.  “Let no man think,” said he, to the authorities of Brabant, “that, against the will of the estates, we desire to bring about any change in religion.  Let no one suspect us capable of prejudicing the rights of any man.  We have long since taken up arms to maintain a legal and constitutional freedom, founded upon law.  God forbid that we should now attempt to introduce novelties, by which the face of liberty should be defiled.”

In a brief and very spirited letter to Count Lalain, a Catholic and a loyalist, but a friend of his country and fervent hater of foreign oppression, he thus appealed to his sense of chivalry and justice:  “Although the honorable house from which you spring,” he said, “and the virtue and courage of your ancestors have always impressed me with the conviction that you would follow in their footsteps, yet am I glad to have received proofs that my anticipations were correct.  I cannot help, therefore, entreating you to maintain the same high heart, and to accomplish that which you have so worthily begun.  Be not deluded by false masks, mumming faces, and borrowed titles, which people assume for their own profit, persuading others that the King’s service consists in the destruction of his subjects.”

While thus careful to offend no man’s religious convictions, to startle no man’s loyalty, he made skillful use of the general indignation felt at, the atrocities of the mutinous army.  This chord he struck boldly, powerfully, passionately, for he felt sure of the depth and strength of its vibrations.  In his address to the estates of Gelderland, he used vigorous language, inflaming and directing to a practical purpose the just wrath which was felt in that, as in every other province.  “I write to warn you,” he said, “to seize this present opportunity.  Shake from your necks the yoke of the godless Spanish tyranny, join yourselves at once to the lovers of the fatherland, to the defenders of freedom.  According to the example of your own ancestors and ours, redeem for the country its ancient laws, traditions, and privileges.  Permit no longer, to your shame and ours, a band of Spanish landloupers and other foreigners, together with three or four self-seeking enemies of their own land, to keep their feet upon our necks.  Let them no longer, in the very wantonness of tyranny, drive us about like a herd of cattle—­like a gang of well-tamed slaves.”