The Long Ago Times

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ZURICH, February 1st, 1824 — Observers of European politics, particularly the sway the Holy Alliance holds over Switzerland, have long pondered the motives behind such interference. Despite Switzerland’s lack of influential press or writers meddling in foreign affairs, the Alliance has aggressively curtailed press freedom across Swiss cantons. The crackdown begs the question: if the refugees finding solace in Switzerland are disconnected, obscure individuals, barely capable of swaying political tides at home or abroad, why target them? The notion that monarchs, each reigning over tens of millions, would unite to suppress such insignificance seems far-fetched. A more plausible theory suggests these exiles might be clandestinely fomenting revolutions, a notion easily digested by those either too lazy to probe deeper or covertly sympathetic to the Alliance’s cause.

The Holy Alliance’s actions, marked by a striking consistency, hint at a unified spirit driving its members—namely Austria, Prussia, and Russia. These monarchies, united in their conservative stance, collectively seek to suppress the burgeoning forces of liberalism and nationalism unfurling in the vacuum left by the Tyrant. While maintaining despotism is a shared goal, each government harbors its own ambitions, be it territorial expansion or settling old scores. This blend of collective and individual wills has shaped the events discussed in prior correspondences and those yet to be unfolded.

Switzerland’s historical tapestry, with German cantons previously under Austrian control and French-speaking cantons linked to Savoy or France, adds layers to its current predicament. The enduring ambitions of the House of Austria and Savoy, along with their claims on Swiss territories, are well documented. These dynamics, once kept in check by rivalries now dulled by the Holy Alliance, present clear dangers to Swiss independence.

Moreover, the Holy Alliance’s broader aim is unmistakable: to snuff out the very concept of liberty within their realms. The landscape across Europe is increasingly hostile to dissent, with governments employing both direct and indirect means to suppress opposition. This crackdown extends beyond borders, targeting any refuge that might embolden those yearning for freedom.

The strategy is not concerned with the guilt or innocence of those it targets but aims to stifle potential dissent. Arbitrary persecution serves as a warning to any who cherish independence. Delving into the reasons behind individual bans in Switzerland would likely reveal motives unconnected to the Alliance’s stated goals, ranging from religious practices to personal associations.

The Alliance also seeks to undermine Swiss sovereignty by discrediting its government and suppressing press freedom, thereby isolating its citizens from both the reality of their situation and the broader world. Such tactics, previously conducted with a degree of subterfuge, have taken a more brazen turn following the Alliance’s triumph in Spain.

The Holy Alliance’s tentacles extend through agents embedded within Switzerland, tasked with stirring unrest or simply spying. The French, Sardinian, Austrian, Prussian, and Russian governments have all deployed operatives, each with their own agendas and methods. These agents, from spies to provocateurs, have played key roles in crafting the proscription lists that have led to numerous expulsions from Swiss soil.

In sum, the Holy Alliance’s machinations in Switzerland are part of a grander scheme to cement autocracy in Europe, using Switzerland as a battleground for both ideological suppression and territorial ambition.

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