Hence, gentlemen, a very essential novelty in the present condition of Europe. Formerly every revolution was followed by some slight progress in the development of constitutionalism. A little more liberty to the press, some sort of a trial by jury, a nominal responsibility of ministers, or a mockery of popular representation in the Legislature--something of that sort always resulted, momentarily, out of former revolutions; and then the consciousness of being deceived by vile mockery led to new revolutions. But when in 1848 and 1849, our victories in Hungary had shaken to the very foundation the artificial building of oppression, so that there was no more hope left to tyranny, but to shelter itself under the wings of Russia, the Czar told them--well, I accept the part of becoming your master, ye kings, and I will help you, but _you must be obedient_ You, yourselves have encouraged revolutions, by making concessions to them. I like not this everlasting resurrection of revolutions; it disturbs my sleep. I am not sure not to find it at my own home some fine morning. I therefore will help you, my servants, but under the condition, that it is not only the bold Hungarians who must be crushed, it is _revolution_ which must be crushed, its very spirit, in its very vitality, everywhere; and to come to this aim, you must abandon all shame as to sworn promises; withdraw every concession made to the spirit of revolution; not the slightest freedom, no privilege, no political right, no constitutional aspirations must be permitted; all and everything must be levelled by the equality of passive obedience and absolute servitude. "Look to my Russia; I make no concessions, I rule with an iron rod, and I am obeyed. All you must do the same and not govern, but domineer by universal oppression. That is my sovereign will--obey." Thus spoke the Czar. It is no opinion which I relate. It is a fact, a historical fact, which the Czar openly proclaimed on several occasions, particularly in that characteristic declaration, to which the high-minded General Cass alluded in his remarkable speech on "_non-intervention_" in the Senate of the United States, on the 10th day of February. The Czar Nicholas, complaining, that "_insurrection has spread in every nation with an audacity which has gained new force in proportion to the concessions of the Governments_" declares that he considers it his divine mission to crush the _Spirit of Liberty_ on earth, which he arrogantly terms the spirit of insurrection and of anarchy. By this you have the definition of what is meant by the words of "war for what principle shall rule." _The issue must be felt, not only in Europe, but here also and everywhere_; the issue will not leave a chance for a new struggle, either to kings or to nations, for a long time perhaps, and probably for centuries.