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S TATEIP AP. EAR’S: 
Proclamation of the King of Naples. 
THE long war which still deso- 
lates Europe, which afllicts so ma- 
ny uations, and costs so much blood, 
and so many tears, is not amere po- 
litical contest, but a religivus war. 
Our enemies are the foes of chris. 
tianity ; not content with destroy- 
ing it in the breasts of their own na- 
tion, they would also banish it from 
every quarter of the globe, and re- 
place it by atheism or enthusiastic 
idolatry. Religion openly repro- 
bates their projects. ‘They aim at 
the overthrow of all princely go- 
yernment, and to attain this, they 
disturb the peace of nations, stimu- 
_ kate them to revolt against their 
lawful sovereigns, plunge them in- 
to the most dreadful anarchy, and 
sink them in an abyss of confusion 
and misery. Belgium, Holland, 
and so many German and Italian 
provinces have become the wretch- 
ed victims of their seduction, and 
thirst for plunder. ‘Those unfortu- 
nate countries groan and lament, 
but in vain, under the vain despo- 
tism of their oppressors, while the - 
calls of justice and humanity are 
unattended to. It was necessary 
that religion, the most powerful 
obstacle of their horrid projects, 
sheuld be removed and destroyed, 
in order that this fence being once 
broken down, all laws, both divine 
and human, might be violated 
without shame or reserve. 
Religion, whilst it informs us of 
our duties, ought also to inspire us 
with courage. The religious citi- 
zen well knows that he was born 
for himself and for others ; that at 
the moment of his birth he con- 
tracts the obligation to love his 
native land, to protect it in times 
of distress, and even to hazard his 
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[2a3.. 
life in the defence of the country 
where he reposes in safety, and 
finds a livelihood for himself and 
his family, especially when that 
country is invaded by an enemy, 
who spares neither law nor proper- 
ty, neither life nor religion ; who, 
wherever he makes his appearance, 
insults, profanes, and destroys -the 
churches, breaks down the altars, 
persecutes the priests, and tram- 
ples under foot the most sacred em- 
blems of the church of Christ. It 
is.impossible that a citizen, devot- 
ed to the cause of religion, should 
remain unconcerned at. the dan- 
gers which threaten his country ; 
prompted by the impulse of his con- 
science anda proper sense of his 
own welfare, he will hasten to its 
defence, join the military foree, 
and co-operate in a vigorous resist- 
ance ; he will place his confidence 
inthe God of Hosts, who often 
strikes an unexpected blow, and 
disperses his enemies like chaff be- 
fore the wind. 
I myself willset you the exam- 
ple of zeal and courage ; I will put 
myself at the head of my dearly be- 
loved subjects, assembled for the 
defence of their country, fully re- 
lying onthe protection of the King 
of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, 
who guides the counsels of princes, 
and enlightens their minds, if with 
sincerity they implore his holy - 
name. Yet at the same time [ 
shall neglect no proper means for 
procuring peace and tranquillity to 
the people whom Divine Provi- 
dence has entrusted to my care. 
But in order to obtain this end, we 
ought not to neglect the necessary 
precautions, that we may be pre- 
pared for every event. _ Negocia- 
tions for peace shall occasionally 
be set.on foot, but they must be 
P3 carried 
