41

[Oct. 1, 1819]

Speech
The combination of the European powers for the recovery of the Holy
Land from the possession of the infidels, froms a grand era in the
political history of the world. When Europe, roused by the voice
of enthusiasm hastened to pour its legions into the plains of
Palestine, when from the shores of the Atlantic to the banks of
Euphrates the flames of war were kindled, and one general con
flagration spread through every province and pervaded every rank.
Princes abandoned their kingdoms, fathers their homes and families and
priests their flocks; and such was the enthusiastic ardour to
enlist under the banners of the cross that even women and child
ren deserted their peaceful habitations to join in the general
frenzy of the crusades. The causes of these memorable expeditions are
no lefs extraordinary than the effects they produced on the minds
of the Europeans that singular though universal desire in the
human breast, of visiting those places which have been the resi-
dence of any illustrious personage or the scene of any celebrated
transaction, may be attributed the pilgrimages of the Christians
to that city which had been the theatre of the actions and suffer
ings of the redeemers of mankind. But as Jersusalem had fallen into
the hands of the turks a barbarous and infidel race, the Christians
besides the mortification of seeing the sepulchre of Christ (the [ ad
tor] of their adoration) profaned by the presence of these infidels
suffered every cruelty and apprehension their rapacity and barbarity could
inflict. The recital of these sufferings raised at once the pity &
indignation of the Europeans. Whilst the minds of the Christians
were thus excited by sympathy for the sufferings of their brethren
and by the spirit of revenge against their oppressors a monk possessed