The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-08-27 00:00:00

AFTER THE EMPIRE.

The Daily le eyrap in • leader on Monday , thinks
that though it is by no means alwolutely certain
that even a disastrous termination of the war would
necessarily involve the fall of the Imperial dyuasty,
It would be tireless to disguilie the fact that. In the
popular opinion of Europe, If not of France, the duration of
the Second Empire is counted ;by days, or even by hi ors.
Any moment France may be brought face to face with the
problem, who is to rule in lien of the Third Napoleon ; and,
strangely enough, there appears to be only two possible solu-
tions—a Republic, or a CAistitutional Monarchy under the
kingship of a Prince of the House of Orleans. The choice
will probably depend in no small degree upon those who
OW happen to have the temporary command of the Admit is-
traVon at the time of the crisis If France Is prepared to
make a supreme etfort—if shots determined to light to the
bitter end—the overthrow of the Empire would In all
probability be followed by the establi.thnient of a
Democratic Republic But if the Republic cannot be carried
by a coup at main, the establishment of a Constitutional
Monarchy in France would appear to be Inevitable, and the
Count de Faris would seem to have the best chance of sue-
ceeding to the throne. On the other hand, it should be
borne in mind that, though the party in favour of • Republic
is powerful, there is rio strong Orleauist section In France.
Be the cause what it may, it is certain that the Monarchy of
July never ootained any deep hold on the Weis lons of the
French nation, and therefore the Strength of the Orleatilst
candidature would lie in the fact, not that France wished for
a restoration of the younger branch of the Bourbons but
that, being terrified at the idea of a Republic, she sougl4, for
a monarch, and found the most eligible candidate lu a Educe
of the Mouse of Orleans.

THE INVADER INVADED.

' The invasion of France Is purely a measure of defence on
the part of Germany. When the light-hearted Minister in-
cited the cry, • Berlin,' It was answered from Germany by a
defiant shout, "nach Paris,' France set out to take the Ger-
man Rhine, and make it a French river. With a splendid
army, and after four year. of elaborate preparation, their
twice elected Emperor set out on an Invasion of Connally;
his capital cheered him on, from all parts France rote an
approving acclaim, and the warlike enthusiasm of a warlike
people burst forth like a deluge to overwhelm the peaceful
German populations and sweep In a fiery Hood along
the streets of the German capital. It was a ear
of location, of egression, of conquest, a war for
glory and territory ; a war In vindication or an
European predominance which Prussia had imperilled.
Such a war titre, eerily Involved retaliation. Nothing venture,
nothing have: bur France would have the German Rhine,
she therefore ventured the French Rhine ; she would keep
the • Fete Napoleon 'ln Berlin, she therefore 'reamed the
keeping of some German anniversary by German troupe in
Paris Of course. mice did not reslSe her risk. She
shouted .4 Berlin,' but never thought there was any mean-
ing in the German reply, 'each Paris.' She set out gaily to
try her mitrableuse on the German Infantry, but did riot
bargain 'or the Germans trying their artillery on her Chewers.
She rejoiced confidently in the prospect of dictating terms of
peace in the Prussian capital; but did not even dream of
the distant possibility that Germany might enact con,
ditiona of safety with an army encamped at Paris. The
very gaslights were got ready for the grand, spontaneous
illumination by which Paris was to celebrate the humllia-
thin of her rival, and not a suspicion imams to have entered
a single Gallic bead that Germany might have to illuminate
Instead of France. And now the Meader le invaded; the
aggressor is put on his defence; the army that dashed forth
, for its gay march over prostrate Germany lies broken, though
I not dishonoured, in Lorraine, while the avenging German
hosts are marching over prostrate France Three seeks
an the French Emperor and his splendid 'Army id the
I Rhine ' were all preiaring for their swoop no irwri„, and
, now the Union Ninon l'suoia and 150 0, 0 men have
paqied the Emperor nod his armies by, as things of no
, account,flird are marching upon Paris."

WHY A FRENCA JOURNAL WAS SUSPENDED.

•
The following is an extract from the article s'gued
" Baragnon," in the Centre Gauche. which led
to the euppression of that journal a few hours before
General Trochu Cal;4o into power :
' . . .

------- -
How absurd are the organs which bout of a "victory,"
Is it victory because the Emperor just escaped being made
prisoner? l. it victory because our army was not cut in two
on the Moselle? loft victory, became alter four days' fight-
ing we at length shook off an enemy which all that time had
harassed our retreat? If it Is victory, where are the
prisoners, the guns, and the flags to show for it. If the
Prussians should take the Emperor prisoner, let them keep
him, ss ot a particle of our national genius or honour will go
with him. Let his niL 5n4 son Hum with him the carefully
prepared luxuries of an opnlent etEe. At all eventa, may
the nand which traced the proclamation abandoning m,tz
' to ma Wes draw up no more bulletins of the (brando ArinLo on
the banks of the Meuse. May such sad comediet be spared
us in future. He is already called by his former ilattercre in
the Corps I egislatif, Ilia Majesty Invasion ill, and it is
notorious that only to avoid difficultiee while the enemy is at
our gates hi, deposition is postponed for a short time by a
Itacit ,?ompromlse.