889. BONAPARTE (N.), Self-government and.—
I see in Bonaparte's expulsion
of the Bourbons, a valuable lesson to the
world, as showing that its ancient dynasties
may be changed for their misrule. Should
the allied powers presume to dictate a ruler
and government to France, and follow the
example he had set of parcelling and usurping
to themselves their neighbor nations, I hope
he will give them another lesson in vindication
of the rights of independence and self-government,
which himself had hitherto so
much abused, and that in this contest he will
wear down the maritime power of England
to limitable and safe dimensions. So far,
good. It cannot be denied, on the other hand,
that his successful perversion of the force
(committed to him for vindicating the rights
and liberties of his country) to usurp its government,
and to enchain it under an hereditary
despotism, is of baneful effect in encouraging
future usurpations, and deterring
those under oppression from rising to redress
themselves.—
To Thomas Leiper. Washington ed. vi, 464.
Ford ed., ix, 519.
(M.
1815)
