Rhode Island American And Gazette

We set a glorious example to the nations of Europe, which some of them eagerly followed, with at least equal zeal, but unfortunately, in most cases, with very unequal success.

France, after the loss of above a million of lives, hundreds of millions of money, and two revolutions, appears to be under a government more arbitrary than that of Louis XVI.

Spain, which at one time had a noble form of government, that guarded equally against the iron hand of despotism and the lawless ravages of anarchy, has succumbed to the arbitrary sway of a despot, who, with base ingratitude, destroyed a large portion of the illustrious men who risked their lives and property, and spilled their blood to pave his way to the throne.

Portugal had, for a short time, a free and liberal Constitution, but has groaned for a year or two beneath the sway of a modern Nero or Tiberius.

Italy made some noble efforts at the resuscitation of her ancient glory and liberties, which unhappily eventuated in the exile, the incarceration in subterraneous dungeons, the cruel tortures, and the ignominious death of some of the most enlightened men of modern times.

Poland, after the most heroic struggles in the same glorious cause, met with a still more lamentable fate. Not satisfied with the banishment of many of her noble defenders to the wilds of Siberia—the incarceration of others—the disgraceful execution of a portion—the janissary arrangement of scattering thousands of her children through the provinces and among the serfs of Russia, the Autocrat has blotted her out of the map of Europe.

And, to crown the whole, the late winds from Europe have brought us the appalling intelligence, that the mighty powers, Austria and Prussia, have conspired with the petty princes of Germany, to put down forever all chance of the liberation of that noble country, the birth-place of some of the most exalted of the human race, almost without the hope of relief: for this unholy conspiracy has the command of such prodigious standing armies, as must be utterly irresistible by any of those desultory movements which, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the people can adopt—and as all despots make common cause, should the forces of Austria and Prussia be insufficient at any future day, to crush the rising spirit of Germany, those of Russia will be ready to unite with them in the unhallowed crusade against the rights of man.