chemes, before the meetings of
the federal diet; for _them_ the fruit must ripen, where they did not
sow. Shall the two cities endure this any longer? They are confronted
with the federal league, in opposition to the treaty of Stanz, which
guarantees their rights, their number of votes at the diet, in relation
to the Territories; but every claim, privilege or power, is dissolved
or broken, according to divine and human law, when they are misused.
The land of Palestine is an example. In eternity was it promised to the
children of Israel. In eternity were they driven out from it, when they
transgressed the commandment of God. Rome brought into subjection Alba
Longa and the Sabines, from whom she herself had sprung, because they
did not keep the peace and act fairly as neighbors. In history such
examples are innumerable, and it is God's Word that says: 'Put away the
evil from among you." Moreover, it is highly necessary for our
union to lessen their power, or to separate from them. For years back,
neither discipline nor order has been found in their midst. And where
these fail, no government can stand. If it be said, they have their own
rights, their own power, their own government, which must be left to
them, and though these all be abused, we have no right to say anything,
then the answer is: No compact can exist contrary to justice, and if
the one party overlooks this, falls away from it, then the other should
hold them to it, yea, compel them, and if the Five Cantons are
henceforth lost to all sense of right, then it is "certain, that they
must be punished and will be uprooted." So the eleven tribes of Israel
slew the twenty five thousand Benjamites, and so the Romans punished
the Carthaginians, until they brought them into complete subjection.

"Two things only are now to be considered--_when_ and _how_ we shall
punish them. _When?_ Truly it is best to attack them _at once_.

"France will remain neutral; the Emperor is entangled in the affairs of
Germany; they can obtain no help either from Confederates or
foreigners, are ill supplied with guns and other necessaries, and
besides, there are also many good people among them, whose hearts are
more with us than with them. Only, do not begin with prohibiting the
export of provisions; this will not suffice, and prove rather injurious
to ourselves. 'By destroying the bailiwicks (_vogteien_), by annulling
the federal compact, and by invading their territory, we must force
th