306 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



them. This, however, ought not to be calculated on as certain. 

 Unprovoked injuries are often inflicted, and even the peculiar 

 felicity of our situation might with some be a cause for excitement 

 and aggression. . . . The United States owe to the world a great 

 example, and, by means thereof, to the cause of liberty and 

 humanity a generous support. 



The following year the anticipated threat from Europe 

 came. The allied sovereigns aimed a blow at the new 

 exponents of democracy, and the protesting answer of the 

 United States was given sharp and clear in the President's 

 message (1823). 



Ill 



After the fall of Napoleon at Waterloo, the four powers 

 Austria, Russia, Prussia, and England, that had previously 

 allied themselves for the purpose of opposing the advance 

 of the "man of destiny," met by their representatives in 

 Paris, in the fall of 1815, and there renewed their politi- 

 cal ties by a fresh treaty (November 20). In this conven- 

 tion the four allied monarchs, expressing their desire to " fix 

 beforehand the principle which they proposed to follow in 

 order to guarantee Europe from dangers by which she may 

 still be menaced," adopted four resolutions : first, to pre- 

 vent Napoleon from regaining power ; second, to maintain 

 the government of France ; third, to keep their army of 

 occupancy in France safe from attack , and fourth, to meet 

 again at the expiration of three years in order to consult 

 further, and " take such measures as should then seem to 

 be best fitted to preserve the peace and happiness of 

 Europe." 



This quadruple alliance has been erroneously referred to 

 by authors as the "Holy Alliance." The real "Holy Alli- 

 ance " was quite a different combination, and originated in 

 this way. The Czar of Russia was much elated by the defeat 

 of Napoleon. To him the triumph of the allies of which 

 he was one over this seemingly invincible foe, appeared to 

 be no less than a direct act of God to save the righteous, 



