Metternich Versus Liberalism

Metternich Versus Liberalism Klemens von Metternich, Austrian foreign minister. (1773-1859) I had a nightmare last night. In it, myself and Csar Alexander I, were confronted by a three-headed monster. I asked this detestable creature what it called itself. It said its name was "Ism." I asked what it wanted and it said: "Simple, I want to be free." "Free from what?" I inquired."I want to be free from you, of course," it said gesturing towards Alexander and myself."Oh I get it," I said realizing what Ism now stood for. "Can't you see what your ideals of liberalism, nationalism and romanticism are doing to upset the stability of all of Europe?" "Yes," he said. "And I like it what I see. But we really need more revolutions like the ones of 1830 in Paris, and Poland. Although they failed, I foresee many more successful ones like the one in Belgium," He continued, "Rhetoric, such as your call to resist change, are only galvanizing the rest of Europe and in due time your anachronistic ideals will become evident to all. "Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich.