Theodore Martin

“ The five great Powers,—Austria, England, France, Prussia, and Russia,—were to take in hand the general European concerns, which were to be discussed in separate conferences, aside of the particular committee which had to occupy itself with the affairs of Germany. To the latter were admitted not only the German States, but the representatives of Spain, Portugal, and Sweden, the latter to act as umpires. Next to these two principal divisions for executing the labours of the Congress came the following eight committees, which were to hold sittings whenever time allowed it. ”

“ To this however Austria, already startled at the progress of Muscovite power in Europe, showed her dissent, and pointing to the unreasonableness of the spoliation of the King of Saxony, proposed another plan for the enlargement of Prussia. A part of the Duchy of Warsaw was, under the title of Grand Duchy of Posen, to be made over to Prussia, while Austria kept her share of what was known as the province of Gallicia, and Russia received the rest. ”

“ Of that wonderful wight you’ve heard many a lay,
But never had proof what he is till to-day:
Now you hold in your hands a most rare one.”
Arrived at their home, each small child, with a face
Of terror, his pitcher sets down in its place,
And waits to be beaten and scolded.
When the old folks they sip: “Oh, what excellent beer!” ”

“ It will be seen from the preceding, that the chief gainers in the re-distribution of European territory by the Congress of Vienna were the four Continental Powers,—Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Holland. France herself lost nothing and gained nothing in territory at the Congress ”

“ The great monarchs themselves arrived before the appointed time, for already on the 25th of October Czar Alexander and Frederick William of Prussia made their solemn entry into Vienna, followed by a train of kings, in the persons of the monarchs of Bavaria, of Würtemberg, and Denmark, and a legion of ambassadors, envoys, and representatives of great and little European powers. England sent her Foreign Minister, Lord Castlereagh, his brother, Sir Charles, and Lord Clancarty; France gave Prince Talleyrand, Dolberg, Noailles, and Bernardier ”

“ The same principle shall be maintained mutually among the subjects of the three sovereigns, who will thus be taught to recognise that the only ruler is He to whom alone belongs power, and in whom are all the treasures of love and wisdom. ”

“ The three contracting monarchs, according to the Holy Scriptures, ordaining men to regard each other as brethren, will remain indissolubly united by the bonds of fraternity, look upon each other as compatriots, and hasten to each other’s assistance on any occasion ”

“ They wished to be recompensed for the sacrifices they had made of men and money, and as France was not well able to reimburse them sufficiently in the shape of either cash or territory, another expedient had to be found. Poland and Saxony were discovered to be the most available objects for this purpose ”

“ All persons willing solemnly to accept the sacred precepts of this act, and convinced of how much importance they are for the happiness of nations, will be received with as much readiness as affection into the Holy Alliance. ”