Mention was recently made, in Vol. ix., p. 218., of the valuable character
of many of the leading articles in the continental journals, and a wish
expressed that translations of them were more frequently communicated in
our own papers to English readers. The great newspapers of this country are
too rich in varied talent and worldwide resources of their own, to make it
worth their while in ordinary times to pay much attention to information
and disquisition from foreign politicians, on subjects of the day; but the
infinite importance to England, and to the world, of the present warlike
struggle, renders it a matter of corresponding weight to know how far the
foreign press, in the great centres of movement and intelligence, stand
affected to Great Britain. Perhaps, therefore, as a specimen of this kind
of writing, you will for once admit, among your varied contents, the
following article from the _Koelnische Zeitung_ of May 4:
"While in England, as a preparation for war, a day of humiliation and
prayer is held, on which the Clergy exhort the people to look into
their own breasts, and to discover and forsake those sins which might
provoke God's punishments; while the most powerful nation of the world
commences war by humbling itself before God, on the part of Russia a
new manifesto appears, the arrogance of which can scarcely be exceeded
by anything human. The Czar speaks as if he were the representative of
God upon earth. His affair is God's affair. He carries on war for God,
and for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour. God is for
him, who can be against him!
"Such a document has not proceeded from the cabinet of any European
power since the Middle Ages. It exceeds all which even Russian
diplomacy has accomplished, in its zeal for Christianity, during the
last century. For it is worthy of notice that nowhere is religion so
much publicly talked about, as in the place where least of it remains,
among the higher classes in St. Petersburgh. Religion there is _inter
instrumenta regni_. When Catherine II. permitted her husband Peter III.
to be imprisoned, in order to rob him of his throne and life, the cause
of this was communicated to the Russian people on July 9, 1762, as
follows:--'First of all, the foundation of your orthodox Greek religion
has been shaken and its principles are drawing near to a total
overthrow; so that we ought to dread exceedingly lest we should see a
change in the true ruling faith transmitted from antiquity in Russia,
and a foreign religion introduced.' So wrote Catherine II., 'the
greatest of the queens, and of the ----,' the friend of Voltaire, the
greatest lady-freethinker of her age. But she wrote still
farther:--'Secondly, the honour of Russia as a state, which has been
brought to the highest pinnacle of her victorious arms with the loss of
so much blood, is actually trodden under foot through the
newly-concluded peace _with her bitterest enemy_.' And who is this
bitterest enemy of the orthodox Russia? The King of Prussia, Frederick
II.! Yes, the King of Prussia was once declared to be the bitterest
enemy of orthodox Russia; and nothing stands in the way but at some
future time he may again be declared to be so, just as at the decree of
the incorporation of the provinces of Preutzen and Posen. The
politicians of St. Petersburgh know that the Russian people, living on
in animal dulness, are susceptible of no other intellectual impression
except a religious one; and so without reflection, the cross is torn
from the high altar, and used as a military signal. Religion was
employed as a pretext, in order to lead the unhappy Poles step by step
into ruin; and Russia was just so employed in Turkey, when the
'heathen' undertook to disturb her in her Christian work. Rise up,
therefore, orthodox nation, and fight for the true Christian faith!
"We know not whether such a manifesto is sufficient to lead the
Russians willingly, like a devoutly believing flock, in the name of
Jesus Christ to the battle-field; and to perish in a war projected for
a worldly purpose, to obtain the inheritance of the 'sick man.' But we
do know that the manifesto will make no one believe throughout
civilised Europe in Russia's holy views. Nations which have learned to
think cannot help immediately perceiving the contradiction which
prevails in this manifesto. First of all the struggle is represented as
religious, and immediately after as political. 'England and France' it
says, 'make war on Russia, in order to deprive her of a part of her
territory.' The only logical connexion between the two modes of
statement consists in the words--'their object is to cause our
fatherland to descend from the powerful position to which the hand of
the Almighty has raised it.' And thereupon is mentioned 'the holy
purpose which has been assigned to Russia by divine providence.' And
this holy purpose has been no secret for a long time. 'According to the
design of providence,' wrote Peter the Great, 'the Russian people are
called to universal dominion over Europe for the future.'
"Such a future cannot longer be averted from Europe, except by common
efforts. Prussia has come to an understanding, as to the object in
view, with the other powers; and when an object or purpose is sought to
be attained, the means must also be provided. To make an impression by
words and peaceful means, is quite out of the question, after this
imperial pastoral letter, which proclaims war in the name of God and of
Jesus Christ. Force can only he repelled by force. It was not our wish
to compel our government prematurely. With reference to Prussia's
position, the warlike interference of our troops was not desired until
England and France had concluded a firm alliance between themselves,
and with Turkey; and had commenced the war in earnest. Now, when all
this has taken place, and the thunder of cannon is roaring over sea and
land; now, when Austria, which conceals within herself so many more
dangers, prepares, with manly determination, to advance; what excuse
can Prussia {464} have, called upon by right to the leadership; what
excuse can she make to herself for remaining behind? In the Vienna
protocol of April 9, Prussia has pledged herself, beyond what we could
have dared to hope, towards the Western Powers: in the treaty with
Austria of April 20, Prussia has bound herself, in certain
eventualities that may occur at any moment, to a warlike support of
Austria. Is it not, therefore, high time for Prussia to arouse herself
from her lethargy, in order to undertake the support contracted for by
treaty? If history teaches anywhere an evident lesson, Prussia will
find it in her own past history. Once before Prussia promised to help
Austria, and was not able to perform her engagement. All the misfortune
by which we were attacked in 1806 is to be ascribed to Prussia not
having completed her preparations in 1805, and to her not appearing in
the field before the battle of Austerlitz. It was reported lately to be
the saying of a brave general, that when he heard the enemies'
batteries firing, it always seemed to him that he heard his own name
called out. Does not Prussia also hear her own name loudly pronounced,
in those cannon-shots fired off in the Baltic and Black Sea for the
public law of nations by Europe's brave champions? By what means did
the great Elector establish the honour of the Prussian name, except by
bravely taking the field, as a model of German princes, against the
superior force of Louis XIV.? The policy, to which the Prussian
government has again pledged itself, will be unanimously approved of by
the Prussian people. The abuse which Russia has made of the name of
Religion can deceive none, but such as are willing to be deceived.
Catholic Christendom, with the Pope and the dignitaries of the Catholic
Church in England and France at its head, have declared which side in
this struggle is right, and which is wrong; and Righteousness is God's
earthly name! Not less have the noblest and most pious Protestants
loudly raised their voices as witnesses to the truth, and against the
common oppressor of _every_ Christian church, even his own; Religion,
called upon for aid, denies it to Russia; and political science has
long since pronounced her judgment, that Russia's superiority must be
put an end to by a general opposition. If Prussia would but seize the
opportunity, and proceed in the same path with Austria, Russia's
ambition might be tamed by united Europe in one successful campaign.
Now is the favourable moment for Prussia; and if it is not taken
advantage of, generations unborn may have cause to rue it."