3758. HOLY ALLIANCE, Napoleon and.—
Had Bonaparte reflected that such is the
moral construction of the world that no
national crime passes unpunished in the long
run, he would not now be in the cage of St.
Helena; and were your present oppressors to
reflect on the same truth, they would spare to
their own countries the penalties on their
present wrongs which will be inflicted on
them in future times. The seeds of hatred
and revenge which they are now sowing with
a large hand will not fail to produce their
fruits in time. Like their brother robbers on
the highway, they suppose the escape of the
moment a final escape, and deem infamy and
future risk countervailed by present gain.—
To M. de Marbois. Washington ed. vii, 76.
(M.
1817)
