"[W]e are connected, and have been for more than a century, with the general system of Europe; and any territorial increase of one Power, any aggrandisement which disturbs the general balance of power in Europe, although it might not immediately lead to war, could not be matter of indifference to this country, and would, no doubt, be the subject of conference, and might ultimately, if that balance were seriously threatened, lead to hostilities. These are reasons, Sir, why we cannot believe ourselves altogether safe from the danger of war."
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Prime Ministers of the United KingdomPoliticians from EnglandLiberal Party (UK) politiciansPeople from LondonWhig (British political party) politicians
Original Language: English
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Speech in the House of Commons (16 February 1852)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Russell%2C_1st_Earl_Russell
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John Russell, 1st Earl Russell
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell, KG, GCMG, PC (18 August 1792 – 28 May 1878), known as Lord John Russell before 1861, was a British Whig and Liberal statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century.
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