“So everything conspires to the great dismemberment, of which
it is not given to foresee the moment. Everything tends to
that,--both the progress of good in the new hemisphere, and the
progress of evil in the old.
“Alas! the sudden and rapid decline of our morals and our
strength, the crimes of kings and the woes of peoples, will
render even universal that fatal catastrophe which is to
detach one world from the other. The mine is prepared beneath
the foundations of our rocking empires.… In proportion as our
peoples are growing weak and all succumbing one to another,
population and agriculture are increasing in America. The
arts transported by our care will quickly spring up there.
That country, risen from nothing, burns to figure in its turn
upon the face of the globe and in the history of the world. O
posterity! thou wilt be more happy, perhaps, than thy sad and
contemptible ancestors!”[413]
The edition of 1780 exhibits his sympathies with the Colonies. In
considering the policy of the House of Bourbon, he recognizes the
grasp of the pending revolution. “The United States,” he says, “have
shown openly the project of drawing to their confederation _all North
America_”; and he mentions especially _the invitation to the people of
Canada_. While questioning the conduct of France and Spain, he adds:--
“_The new hemisphere is to detach itself some day from the
old._ This great disruption is prepared in Europe by the
fermentation and the clashing of our opinions,--by the
overthrow of our rights, which made our courage,--by the
luxury of the court and the misery of the country,--by the
everlasting hate between the effeminate men, who possess all,
and the strong, even virtuous men, who have nothing to lose but
life. It is prepared in America by the growth of population,
of agriculture, of industry, and of enlightenment. _Everything
tends to this scission._”[414]
In a sketch which follows are pictured the resources of “the thirteen
confederate provinces” and their future development. While confessing
that the name of Liberty is sweet,--that it is the cause of the
entire human race,--that revolutions in its name are a lesson to
despots,--that the spirit of justice, which compensates past evils
by future happiness, is pleased to believe that this part of the New
World cannot fail to become one of the most flourishing countries of
the globe,--and that some go so far as to fear _that Europe may some
day find its masters in its children_, he proceeds to facts which may
mitigate anxiety.[415]
The prophetic words of Raynal differ from others already quoted.
Instead of letters or papers buried in secrecy or disclosed to a few
only, they were open proclamations circulated throughout Europe, and
their influence began as early as 1770. A prompt translation made
them known in England. In 1777 they were quoted by an English writer
pleading for us.[416] Among influences coöperating with the justice of
our cause, they were of constant activity, until at last France, Spain,
and Holland openly united with us.