Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

230FRENCH CHAEACTEE.

exercised over foreign interests, that their governments acquire a right to universal gratitude; it is by good examples, by wise laws, by an enlightened and beneficent administration. With such advantages a

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small nation may become—not conquerors, not oppressors, but lights of the world; and this is a hundred times preferable.

I cannot sufficiently grieve to see how far these ideas, so simple but so undoubtedly correct, are from influencing the best and most gifted minds, not only in Russia, but in every land, and above all, in France. Among us, the fascinations of war and conquest still survive, in spite of the lessons taught by the God of heaven, and by interest, that god of earth. Nevertheless, I still have hope, because, notwithstanding the deviations of our philosophers, notwithstanding the egotism of our language, notwithstanding our habit of calumniating ourselves, we are an essentially religious nation. Assuredly, this is no paradox; we devote ourselves to ideas with more generosity than any other people in the world : and are not ideas the idols of Christian communities ?

Unfortunately we lack discernment and independence in our choice : we do not distinguish between the idol of the day, which will be an object of contempt on the morrow, and the object which merits all our sacrifices. I hope yet to live long enough to see that bloody idol of war, brute force, shattered among us. A country is always powerful and extensive enough when its people limit their courage to a willingness to live and die for the truth, to shed their blood in a war with falsehood and injustice, and when they justly enjoy the renown of so lofty a devotion.