Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Decline And Fall Of The Dutch Republic.
II . To solicit the interference of surrounding nations , n . ot only for the establishment of their original independence , but also for the quieting of their subsequent internal commotions , has been , a leading feature in the policy ofthe Dutch , in every period of their history . But _ though the exiles on the Brille , or the citizens of Leyden , might be justified in imploring the assistance of Elizabeth , or Henry the Fourth , against the potent Sovereign of Spain and the Indies yetto
; , tempt the restless ambition of Louis the Fourteenth , or the needy profligacy of Charles the Second , by holding out advantages to be derived from the destruaion of an unpopular Stadtholder , was unwise > unpatriotic , and ruinous . Success , procured by such means , will ultimately lead to the destruaion ofthe party which prevails ; and even its ally , while she sheds a pitying tear on the tomb ofthe antagonist he hel
ped to discomfit , will turn with disgust from the traitor whose views he has forwarded , and whose ends he has answered . It ought ever to be remembered , that the love of our country demands that intestine discord should never provoke an appeal toacommon enemy ; and that the man who can make such appeal , though he may conceal his selfish motives under the garb of moderation and the desire of
tranquillity , is purchasing momentary peace at the expence of national honour and freedom . The happiness of an individual depends on the right ,-and the power of asserting and maintaining independence , though he may obey the voice of gratitude , outrun the claims of friendship ; and satisfy , with fond anxiety , the wishes of kindred
affeaion and of mutual interest ; and it is equally the business of a community , while it attaches itself to those powers which may claim a predilection in their favour from the integrity of their public condua , the similarity of their political sentiments , and a concurrence in the same common objeas , to avoid delegating to any of them authority to quiet internal discord , and thus impose the yoke of servitude of her
upon part subjeas . The steadiness of King William , the revolution in England , and the successful efforts of ° two grand ' alliances , saved Holland from the ambition of France and the machinations of her agents ; and , for a considerable period after the treaty of Utrecht , mankind enjoyed as great a portion of peace and prosperity as the vicissitudes of human affairs , and the conflia of human would admit
passions , . The obsequious assistant of Great Britain , in the course ofthe hostilities which were terminated at Aix la Chapelle ' , — . the unconcerned speaator of the desolation of Germany by the contending hosts of Prussia , Austria , France , and Russia , —the cruel and ungrateful adversary of this country , at the conclusion of the American , contest , Holland , is now become the vassal ofthe French legislators ; and GalliaBeliumand Batavia
, g , , are united together by the strong pressure of military despotism , and the forced , similitude of their revolutionary governments . The Orange cockade of the Stadtholder , and the three-coloured ribbands of Pichegru , are worn with equal and alternate complaisance ; and the indignant mind regards , with indiscriminate contempt , the wretch who shrinks at one moment from 3 Prussian musket or a Gallic pike , and repeats , with approving enthu-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Decline And Fall Of The Dutch Republic.
II . To solicit the interference of surrounding nations , n . ot only for the establishment of their original independence , but also for the quieting of their subsequent internal commotions , has been , a leading feature in the policy ofthe Dutch , in every period of their history . But _ though the exiles on the Brille , or the citizens of Leyden , might be justified in imploring the assistance of Elizabeth , or Henry the Fourth , against the potent Sovereign of Spain and the Indies yetto
; , tempt the restless ambition of Louis the Fourteenth , or the needy profligacy of Charles the Second , by holding out advantages to be derived from the destruaion of an unpopular Stadtholder , was unwise > unpatriotic , and ruinous . Success , procured by such means , will ultimately lead to the destruaion ofthe party which prevails ; and even its ally , while she sheds a pitying tear on the tomb ofthe antagonist he hel
ped to discomfit , will turn with disgust from the traitor whose views he has forwarded , and whose ends he has answered . It ought ever to be remembered , that the love of our country demands that intestine discord should never provoke an appeal toacommon enemy ; and that the man who can make such appeal , though he may conceal his selfish motives under the garb of moderation and the desire of
tranquillity , is purchasing momentary peace at the expence of national honour and freedom . The happiness of an individual depends on the right ,-and the power of asserting and maintaining independence , though he may obey the voice of gratitude , outrun the claims of friendship ; and satisfy , with fond anxiety , the wishes of kindred
affeaion and of mutual interest ; and it is equally the business of a community , while it attaches itself to those powers which may claim a predilection in their favour from the integrity of their public condua , the similarity of their political sentiments , and a concurrence in the same common objeas , to avoid delegating to any of them authority to quiet internal discord , and thus impose the yoke of servitude of her
upon part subjeas . The steadiness of King William , the revolution in England , and the successful efforts of ° two grand ' alliances , saved Holland from the ambition of France and the machinations of her agents ; and , for a considerable period after the treaty of Utrecht , mankind enjoyed as great a portion of peace and prosperity as the vicissitudes of human affairs , and the conflia of human would admit
passions , . The obsequious assistant of Great Britain , in the course ofthe hostilities which were terminated at Aix la Chapelle ' , — . the unconcerned speaator of the desolation of Germany by the contending hosts of Prussia , Austria , France , and Russia , —the cruel and ungrateful adversary of this country , at the conclusion of the American , contest , Holland , is now become the vassal ofthe French legislators ; and GalliaBeliumand Batavia
, g , , are united together by the strong pressure of military despotism , and the forced , similitude of their revolutionary governments . The Orange cockade of the Stadtholder , and the three-coloured ribbands of Pichegru , are worn with equal and alternate complaisance ; and the indignant mind regards , with indiscriminate contempt , the wretch who shrinks at one moment from 3 Prussian musket or a Gallic pike , and repeats , with approving enthu-