Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/79

 house and in that way assure a continual succession which helps to maintain the happiness of the people. Thus you see customs in opposition to politics. Then he brought about a schism in the Church by having a Pope set up who was not the one the Church had selected. He was in opposition to the Church by following the laws of politics. By doing this he was able to assure peace within his own states. In how many centuries and under how many rulers we will find similar examples. But this almost perpetual opposition between politics, customs and religion, which leaves to the princes the duty of bringing about the tranquility of their people, does not excuse them from imposing the necessary restraints to keep order."

"Do you know what the princes of Germany need?" asked the commander. "They need a courageous and wise prince whose reputation for success brings respect and whose genius in recognizing the value of men cause him to surround himself with good lieutenants. Then he should destroy all these little authorities whose perpetual dissensions trouble our lives and should unite all the smaller states into one large one, and this great man should then become the terror and at the same time the hope of the people. Oh, Prince, come quickly to settle with your strong arm the difficulties which besiege us. Hasten to show them your radiant face and the signs of universal domination so that your name repeated by posterity will go from age to age and be associated with glory and will write in gold on the temple of immortality the most august epoch of the centuries. Over these smaller thrones will rise then a wise federation which will set the standard for governments to come. The man who can accomplish all this will be likened to the saint of saints who may come from the banks of the Jordan River to reign over the universe."

"You are right," said Frederick. "Perhaps I should not be of your opinion, but it is wise, and I agree with you."

"This happiness, which I evoke, will be enjoyed one day by Germany," said the officer, "in the meantime, I find that Henry has shown himself to be weak in his treatment of Saxony."

"How is that?" asked Frederick.

"Does it not show weakness to retire from the frontiers just because of a letter which Frederick sent him? It would have