Fraternity," basing on it all his efforts for the liberation of his country.
Later on, in 1869, Rieger addressed a manifesto to France, in which he referred to the sympathy existing between the two nations, and showed, too, that it was to the interest of French policy to aid the Czechs in their struggle against their common foe, the Germans.
In conclusion, we may recall the protest of the Czech nation in 1870. Amused to indignation against the Prussian aggressors, and following with immense concern the trend of military events, they vehemently protested, through the medium of the Bohemian Diet, against the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine. The following passage may be quoted from this memorable document:—
"The Czech nation cannot but express its most ardent sympathy with noble and glorious France, which to-day is defending its independence and national soil, which has accomplished so much for the advancement of civilisation and the principles of humanity and liberty.
"The Czech nation is convinced that such a humiliation as the tearing of a strip of territory from a nation so illustrious and heroic, so full of just national pride, would become a source of unending wars, and therefore of unending injuries to humanity and civilisation.
"The Czechs are a small people, but their spirit
