Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/314

302 paper ever breathed a purer spirit of equity and conciliation. After noticing, with proper censure, the suggestions that had been made to them of the necessity of violent measures against the prostrate and vanquished agents of the subverted government, these enlightened and virtuous republicans proceeded to state the noble sentiments with which they were animated. "He deserves not to triumph," they said, "who basely abuses his victory." "The exercise of revenge," continue they, "may afford a transitory pleasure in the moments of passion and delirium, but its consequences are commonly sad and fatal, while the exercise of equity and of generosity leaves nothing but agreeable sensations." Unanimity and oblivion of past animosities were energetically and persuasively recommended, as the most probable and laudable means to promote the welfare and prosperity of the republic. In answer to the recommendation, that measures of precaution and severity, like those which the French revolution had given birth to, should be used with regard to all suspected