Christianity and Patriotism
varied than the speeches. The latter invariably consisted of the same words in various permutations and combinations. The meaning of these words was always one and the same: "We love one another tenderly, we are highly delighted that we have suddenly begun to love one another so tenderly. Our object is not war and not revanche, and not the restoration of the captured provinces: our object is only peace, the blessings of peace, the security of peace, the tranquillity and peace of Europe. Vive the Russian Emperor and Empress! We love them and we love peace. Vive the President of the Republic and his wife! We love them too and we love peace. Vive France and Russia, their fleets and their armies! We love both the army and peace and the commander of the squadron." The speeches for the most part ended, as with a refrain, with the words, "Toulon, Cronstadt," or "Cronstadt, Toulon." And the names of those places in which so many edibles had been consumed and so many different wines had been drunk were uttered as words that recalled the loftiest, the most brilliant actions of the representatives of both nations, words after the utterance of which there was no need to say more, because everything was understood. We love one another, and we love peace. Cronstadt, Toulon! What more can one add to that? … Especially when uttered to the strains of
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