ment, a refuge for the oppressed and distressed, and a shelter from the persecution of dominant empires and the imposture of selfish leaders of political parties. To Christ's Church justly belongs the honour of having sheltered the infancy and early maturity of the human intellect and human governments. So much for the moral side of the point at stake.
We spoke of a Covenant, of a contract made between the Crown and Monarchy of France and the nation. A fact not difficult to prove. The King is to guard the faith and liberty of his people; should his subjects infringe either, he is to recall them to their compact. Should the King in his turn infringe the higher law constituting his legitimacy, his subjects must confront him with the law, the holy ark of the alliance between Ruler and Ruled. From this mutual understanding did spring the great achievements of the Middle Ages.
Crécy, Poictiers, are battle-fields sanctified by the imperishable renown of patriotism fighting for the very existence of national liberties, of independence, nay of the very country itself, against unauthorized invaders distinguished—according to the just and popular Lord Brougham—only by empty ambition and unwarrantable aggression. Just wars and especially wars successful, usefully serve to raise the martial glory of a country to the highest pitch. But are not the most direful miseries inflicted on the conquered people thereby? Do not unjust wars perpetuate for generations a spirit of hostility prolific of bloodshed between nations, most injurious to the progress of liberty and civilization?
The moral mission of the Frank Monarchy was strengthened on the field of Tours. Had it not been for Charles Martel, France would never have existed, and Europe would have been overrun by the Turk. The Crusades became organized: and in them France acquired such fame, that in the East the Western nations were all designated as Franks. The Royal Princes of France headed every succeeding war, from Hugh, Count de Vermandois, to poor Charles VI., who, during a lucid interval, gave his enthusiastic approval to the last and most disastrous Crusade of Nicopolis, when the battle ended with the death of 20,000 Christians, and as many wounded and prisoners. It is unnecessary here to
