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Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh Quotes

1769–1822

Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (18 June 1769 – 12 August 1822), usually known as Lord Castlereagh, derived from the courtesy title Viscount Castlereagh, by which he was styled from 1796 to 1821, was an Anglo-Irish politician and statesman. As secretary to the Viceroy of Ireland, he worked to suppress the Rebellion of 1798 and to secure passage in 1800 of the Irish Act of Union.

Random Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh quote

6 quotes

I feel no wrath against the people. I am only doing my duty.

It is not insurrection we now want in Italy, or elsewhere—we want disciplined force, under Sovereigns we can trust.

We shall be found in our Place when actual danger menaces the System of Europe; but this Country cannot, and will not, act upon abstract and speculative Principles of Precaution.

State Paper (1820)

The steadiness of this country in the war will depend upon our making it clear that the Continent has voluntarily decided to seek its safety in arming.

These arguments about natural defences and strategic boundaries are pushed too far. Real defence and security comes from the guarantee which is given by the fact that they cannot touch you without declaring war on all those interested in maintaining things as they are.

Great Britain has perhaps equal Power with any other State to oppose Herself to a practical and intelligible Danger, capable of being brought home to the National Feeling:—When the Territorial Balance of Europe is disturbed, she can interfere with effect, but She is the last Govt. in Europe, which can be expected, or can venture to commit Herself on any Question of an abstract character.

State Paper (1820)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.