Saturday, July 31, 2010

Quote of the Month

Writes Prof. Kevin R. C. Gutzman over at Taki's Magazine:

What does Bastille Day represent? Ultimately, it represents the elevation to power of the classic man on horseback, a representative in his tastes, aspirations, and (Emerson again) “intellect without conscience” of the democracy. It represents ideology as license. Napoleon took what he wanted in power, things, people … everything. For him, fame was virtue. This was the principle of the French Revolution writ large, of the new class whose ascendancy was aborning, in France and elsewhere.

What is there to celebrate in that?
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EvKL and the Black Month

101 years ago today, Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn was born. Please do see his:

Please feel free also to see my May post on the scholar and browse.

The great scholar was born on the last day of the month that arguably can be called monarchy's black month. We have:
  • The American Declaration of Independence
  • Bastille Day
  • Romanov Murder
  • Austro-Hungarian Declaration of War against the Kingdom of Serbia, which would in the course of a few days turn into the Great War
Royal World brought to our attention a tribute to the Russian Imperial Family:





Tea at Trianon has Olga's Prayer.

This July 18 was the 138th anniversary of the passing of Benito Juárez, after whom Mussolini was named. The Mad Monarchist has a lengthy post on this Mexican “hero.”

Irish Monarchist gives some thoughts on Parliaments.

Radical Royalist brings us the French restoration hymn of 1815:





Royal World also had some thoughts – and links – for Bastille Day.

Tea at Trianon has A Dark Cloud Overhead.

There is The Lost America over at The Monarchist.

Robert Hardman of the Daily Mail wonders whether Britain is becoming a republic (H/T: Royal World).

Over at Chronicles, Pat Buchanan asks whether democracy is overrated (H/T: Tea at Trianon).

Over at Zero Hedge, Tyler Durden also reflects on democracy, and Citizen Renegade has some additional thoughts.

The Western Confucian has a post on democracy-skeptical thought in India.

Wash Park Prophet has an interesting post on royalty and monarchy.

Andrew Cusack pays tribute to Thomas Molnar, author of – amongst other works – The Counter-Revolution, and Christopher Westley of the Mises Economics Blog follows up. Requiescat in pace!

High Tory Gerald Warner speaks out for the term reactionary (H/T: Royal World).

A panel discussion on monarchy, democracy, and long-term thinking:





Remember, as The Mad Monarchist stated at the end of last month, that monarchy is not tyranny.

Poll Results: Which Statement Do You Find Most Agreeable?

Swedish State RegaliaThe results for the poll, asking which is the most agreeable statement, ending at midnight between June and July, are as follows:

Total votes: 95.

  • Ceremonial monarchy is good because it keeps the idea of monarchy alive as the democratist storm is ridden off: 56 (58%)
  • Ceremonial monarchy is just fine: 12 (12%)
  • There is no point in having ceremonial monarchy: 10 (10%)
  • Modern monarchy protects democracy, and this is a good thing: 10 (10%)
  • Modern monarchy protects democracy: 7 (7%)
A new poll will be up shortly.

Treaties in Effect

Map of redrawn Austria-Hungary89 years ago today, the Treaty of Trianon came into effect. 90 years and 15 days ago, the Treaty of St. Germain came into effect.

La Fayette as Major-General

Thomas Prichard Rossiter and Louis Rémy Mignot: Washington and Lafayette at Mount Vernon, 1784233 years ago today, the Marquis de la Fayette was made Major-General of the rebel army.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Lloyd George at the Limehouse

Limehouse Town HallTen decades and a year ago today, David Lloyd George gave his 'Limehouse Speech'.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Yngvar Nielsen

Yngvar NielsenEight score and seven years ago today, Yngvar Nielsen was born. Yngvar Nielsen was a prominent historian in the old world. During the “democratic progress,” at the end of the 19th century he was a proponent of the old order. He was a friend of King Oscar II. He was thus “frozen out” by the Conservative Party.

Count de Tocqueville

Count Alexis de TocquevilleA century and five years ago today, Count Alexis de Tocqueville was born.

Emperors' Exchange

Wilhelm II and Nicholas II96 years ago today, Wilhelm II and Nicholas II started a four day exchange of telegrams.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Robespierre Executed

The execution of RobespierreTwo centuries and sixteen years ago today, Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre fell prey to his own method and was executed by guillotine at Place Louis XV, where Their Majesties previously had been executed in a similar manner, after being arrested the previous day.


Elsewhere: The Mad Monarchist

A Fateful Day

It was a fateful day for the world that was and for civilization.

Eight dozen years ago today. In the Kaiservilla, Austria-Hungary declares war on the Kingdom of Serbia.

The Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Austrian State Treaty

Christoph Lingg: Occupation zones in Austria 1945-5555 years ago today, the Austrian State Treaty came into force. One of the provisions read:

Austria shall have a democratic government based on elections by secret ballot and shall guarantee to all citizens free, equal and universal suffrage as well as the right to be elected to public office without discrimination as to race, sex, language, religion or political opinion.
And yes, then there is this:
Austria further undertakes to maintain the law of 3rd April, 1919, concerning the House of Hapsburg-Lorraine.

Belloc Born

Hilaire BellocSeven score years ago today, Hilaire Belloc, author of – amongst other works – The Servile State, was born.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Huxley Born

Aldous HuxleyA century and 16 years ago today, Aldous Huxley was born.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Puerto Rico Invaded

El Castillo San Felipe del MorroA century and a dozen years ago today, the forces of those United States of America invaded Puerto Rico.

Mussolini Dismissed and Arrested

Coat of arms of the Carabinieri who arrested Mussolini
67 years ago today, Benito Mussolini was dismissed by his King, and shortly thereafter arrested on His Majesty's orders.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Treaty of Lausanne

The Imperial Gate, Topkapi Palace, Constantinople87 years ago today, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed.

Constitution Restored by Sultan

Sultan Abdul Hamid IIA century and two years ago today, the Ottoman Sultan restored the Constitution.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

July 20, 1944

Hitler-Attentat, 20. Juli 1944Three score and six years ago today, Count Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler, failing miserably.

Victory for Loyalists

James Sharples: Anthony WayneEleven score and ten years ago today, General “Mad” Anthony Wayne loses against Loyalists.

Notice how the History Channel portrays this as a battle between “Americans and Loyalists.”

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Franco-Prussian War

Pierre-Georges Jeanniot: La ligne de feu (1886), depicting the Battle of Mars-La-TourSeven score years ago today, the Franco-Prussian War broke out.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Oscar II, Crowned King of Norway

Arnstein Rønning: Oscar II's monogram between Kongsberg and Svene (August 20, 2009A century, three dozen, and a year ago today, King Oscar II was crowned King of Norway in Trondhjem Cathedral.

Grand Duchess Elizabeth

Four score and a dozen years ago today, Grand Duchess Elizabeth, along with several other members of the House of Romanov, fatally fell prey to the Russian Revolution.





Thursday, July 15, 2010

Marquis de la Fayette as Colonel-General

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de la Fayette, at the Fête de la FédérationEleven score and a year ago today, the Marquis de la Fayette was selected Colonel-General of the National Guard of Paris.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Sedition Act

The Alien and Sedition ActsTwo centuries and a dozen years ago today, the Sedition Act was enacted.

Vive le Roi!

Eleven score and a year ago today, the Storming of the Bastille took place.

The Royal Standard of France



Eleven score years ago today, the Fête de la Fédération took place.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Perpetual Parliament

Lars Røed Hansen: Parliament HallTwo decades ago today, a constitutional amendment giving Perpetual Parliament was promulgated.

Trond Norén Isaksen wrote on the Parliament Dissolution that is no more previously this year.

An often used argument is that dissolving Parliament had survived into an age where an always sitting Parliament has come to be the norm. It seems that when constitutional provisions and the political machine are in conflict, the constitutional checks must give way to the political machine. Sadly so!

A long time ago the Parliament met ordinarily only every three years.

Judge Gideon J. Tucker once said:

No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.

Austria-Hungary Concludes Investigation

Sarajevo trial in 1914Four years short of a century ago today, Austria-Hungary concluded the investigation of the Sarajevo Assassination.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

France: The Civil Constitution of the ClergyEleven score years ago today, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Necker Dismissed

Jacques NeckerEleven score and a year ago today, Jacques Necker was dismissed as Director-General of Finance of the Kingdom of France.

The Battle of the Boyne

Jan Wyck: Battle of the BoyneThree centuries and a decade ago today, the Battle of the Boyne was fought.

Burr-Hamilton

John Trumbull: Alexander HamiltonTen score and six years ago today, American monarchist and Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was mortally wounded in a duel.

Friday, July 9, 2010

The Battle of Cropredy Bridge

Coat of arms366 years ago today (June 29 in the Julian Calendar), the Battle of Cropredy Bridge was fought.

Edmund Burke

Edmund BurkeTwo centuries and a baker's dozen years ago today, Edmund Burke passed away.

National Constituent Assembly

Jean-Louis Prieur/Pierre-Gabriel Berthault: Le serment de Jeu de Paume221 years ago today, the National Constituent Assembly was formed.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Constitutional Royal Assent Abolished

Bjørn Erik Pedersen: Det kongelige slott97 years ago today, an important amendment to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway was promulgated.

It was the first royal promulgation of a constitutional amendment – as opposed to sanctioning or Royal Assent.

The amendment itself provided for this promulgation instead of the previous Royal Assent.

The amendment provided for Parliament becoming ultimately absolute – also formally.

Strutt

Lt. Col. Edward Lisle Strutt CBE DSO3 score and two years ago today, Edward Lisle Strutt, the icon of this weblog, passed away.

Long Live King Gyanendra!

The Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of NepalHis Majesty King Gyandendra of Nepal is 63 years old today.

Happy Birthday!

Long live His Majesty King Gyanendra of Nepal!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Constitution by Bayonet

King of Kalākaua I of Hawai'iSix score and three years ago today, the Bayonet Constitution was signed.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Mather Byles

John Singleton Copley: Mather Byles222 years ago today, Mather Byles passed on. He is known for saying:

Which is better – to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away or by three thousand tyrants one mile away?

German "Carte Blanche"

Commemoration plaque in SarajevoFour years short of a century ago today, following the Sarajevo assassination, Imperial Germany gave Austria-Hungary a "blank check" assurance – or at least so it is said.

Olive Branch

an olive branch235 years ago today, the Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

American Independence Declared

The United States Declaration of IndependenceEleven score and fourteen years ago today, the United States Declaration of Independence was issued.

Four score and a long dozen years ago today, Wilson's troops marched through Paris and paid tribute to the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette. He must have rotated in his grave over troops to “make the world safe for democracy” paying a tribute to him.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Greece in the Great War

King Alexander I of GreeceFour score and a baker's dozen years ago today, the Kingdom of Greece declared war against the Central Powers.

Wrote a commenter last year:

Many times I have heard that the Great War was fought to defend democracy, or so that "small nations might be free." Greece is my favorite response to this. Greece remained neutral until Great Britain invaded, deposed the king, and established a puppet government.

Continental Congress Votes

234 years ago today, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence.



Thursday, July 1, 2010

Gettysburg Begins

Seven score and seven years ago today, the Battle of Gettysburg commenced.



Amendment XXVI

A year short of four decades ago today, the 26th amendment to the federal Constitution of those United States was ratified.

John Stossel gives some perspective on the issue: