Page:An address to the thinking independent part of the community.djvu/21

( 21 ) other and to Europe, and the support which they are so well calculated mutually to afford, would make it their interest to enter again into a close and intimate alliance. The similarity which exists between them, in all the most Arising national features, in manners, in language, in laws and constitution, must considerably encrease this attractive tendency. But I think the great events which have lately taken place in this part of the world, evince, above all other considerations, the importance of our union. France, at all times, perhaps, the most powerful country in Europe, is now, by her unexampled exertions in this disastrous war, infinitely more formidable than the has been at any former period. And as it is contrary to the interest of mankind, that any one country should feel itself able to dictate laws to its neighbours, or insult them with impunity, and as we have yet no reason to be convinced that a republican form of government affords greater security against this danger than a monarchical, the cordial and animated co-operation of every part of the British empire seems more than ever necessary, to keep under some check the ambitious projects which a power so vast naturally gives birth to. Such a co-operation could probably in no way be better obtained, than by our present union, under a common sovereign, concentrating in himself the force of all his dominions, with distinct,