5644. NATIONS, Jefferson's prayer for all.—[continued].
Notwithstanding all the
French and British atrocities, which will forever
disgrace the present era of history,
their shameless prostration of all the laws
of morality which constitute the security,
the peace and comfort of man—notwithstanding
the waste of human life, and measure of
human suffering which they have inflicted on
the world—nations hitherto in slavery have
desired through all this bloody mist a glimmering
of their own rights have dared to
open their eyes, and to see that their own
power will suffice for their emancipation.
Their tyrants must now give them more
moderate forms of government, and they
seem now to be sensible of this themselves.
Instead of the parricide treason of Bonaparte
in employing the means confided to him as a
republican magistrate to the overthrow of
that republic, and establishment of a military
despotism in himself and his descendants, to
the subversion of the neighboring governments,
and erection of thrones for his
brothers, his sisters and sycophants, had he
honestly employed that power in the establishment
and support of the freedom of his
own country, there is not a nation in Europe
which would not at this day have had
a more rational government, one in which the
will of the people should have had a moderating
and salutary influence. The work
will now be longer, will swell more rivers
with blood, produce more sufferings and more
crimes. But it will be consummated; and
that it may be will be the theme of my constant
prayers while I shall remain on the
earth beneath, or in the heavens above.—
To William Bentley. Washington ed. vi, 503.
(M.
1815)
