We may soon form another
confederacy against the house of Bourbon, at a time when Louis the
fourteenth is not at its head, at a time when it is exhausted by
expensive projects; and when, therefore, it cannot make the same
resistance as when it was before attacked.
By pursuing the scheme which is now formed, with steadiness and
ardour, we may, perhaps, reinstate all those nations in their
liberties, whom cowardice, or negligence, or credulity have, during
the last century, delivered up to the ambition of France; we may
confine that swelling monarchy, which has from year to year torn down
the boundaries of its neighbours, within its ancient limits, and
disable it for ages from giving any new alarms to mankind, and from
making any other efforts for the acquisition of universal dominion; we
may reestablish the house of Austria as the great barrier of the
world, by which it is preserved on one part from being laid waste by
the barbarity of the Turks, and on the other from being enslaved by
politer tyrants, and overrun by the ambition of France.
Elevated with such success, and encouraged by such prospects, we ought
surely, my lords, to press forward in a path, where we have hitherto
found no difficulties, and which leads directly to solid peace and
happiness, which no dangers or terrours can hereafter interrupt: we
ought, instead of relaxing, to redouble our efforts; and to remember,
that by exerting all our strength and all our influence for a short
time, we shall not only secure ourselves and our posterity from
insolence and oppression, but shall establish the tranquillity of the
world, and promote the general felicity of the human species.
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