Good find. There are other parts of Vattel that I don't think would get much approval around here, either: "The first impressions made on the mind are of the utmost importance for the remainder of life. In the tender years of infancy and youth, the human mind and heart easily receive the seeds of good or evil. Hence the education of youth is one of the most important affairs that deserve the attention of the government." Universal pre-K, anyone?
"The establishment of religion by law, and its public exercise, are matters of state, and are necessarily under the jurisdiction of the political authority." Aaand there goes the First, following the Second out the window.
Sort of an absurdity, isn't it? FReepers pushing the writings of a big-government philosopher who spoke out in favor of government-restricted speech, government control of religion, and no Second Amendment?