5io Readings in Eitropean History 440. Napo- leon's proc- lamation to the Spaniards. Answer. Yes, for it is he whom God has raised up in trying times to reestablish the public worship of the holy religion of our fathers and to be its protector ; he has reestablished and preserved public order by his profound and active wisdom ; he defends the state by his mighty arm ; he has become the anointed of the Lord by the consecration which he has received from the sovereign pontiff, head of the Church universal. Question. What must we think of those who are wanting in their duties toward our emperor ? Answer. According to the apostle Paul, they are resisting the order established by God himself and render themselves worthy of eternal damnation. 1 The following extracts will illustrate the attitude of Napoleon toward his vast empire and the way in which he undertook to shape the destinies of all western Europe. Enraged by the refusal of the Spanish nation to accept his brother as their king, he invaded the peninsula with a large army, occupied Madrid, and in December, 1808, he issued the following proclamations. Imperial Camp at Madrid, December 7, 1808. Spaniards, you have been seduced by perfidious men. They have involved you in a mad conflict and induced you to rush to arms. Is there one among you who, if he but reflect a moment upon all that has taken place, will not be convinced that you have been the playthings of the invet- erate enemy of the continent, who rejoices as she beholds the shedding of Spanish and French blood ? What could be the result of your success even in several campaigns ? What but a war without end and prolonged uncertainty in regard to your possessions and your very existence? In a few months you have been subjected to all the horrors of popu- lar faction. The defeat of your armies was the affair of a few marches. I have entered Madrid. The right of war 1 Compare Bossuet's views of the kingship (see above, pp. 272 sqq.).
