The New York herald., 1867-04-26

In announcer Column Will De found our iates
cable dispatches relating to affairs in
Europe. The situation no longer hangs on the
long prominent Eastern question That ques
ton, though to all appearance as far from
being settled and demanding solution loudly
as ever, has yielded first place to that other
and more stirring question now pending be.
tween France and Prussia. Our latest news, IL
must be admitted, does not encourage the hope
| that peace is TO be maintained. Prussia has
| replied to the proposals made by the other
great Powers, and has reiterated her determi.
nation not to evacuate the fortress Of Luxem.
burg. The excitement In consequence has
increased, and war is considered all but GER
tain. Little sparks can kindle great fires
and it appears as II this little spark Of Lux
emburg were destined to set Europe ablaze.
We had hoped, for time, that the voice Of
reason might prevail, and that war might be
averted; but If we are to yield TO the evidence
now before US, that hope must be abandoned.
II might have been possible to leave the Grand
Duohy and Fortress Of Luxemburg ip the hands
Of the King Of Holland as before, only pro-
claiming them neutral Such an arrangement,
while II would have satisfied France. could
not materially have injured Prussia. It is now,
however, no longer to be thought Of Prussia
has set herself up as the defender Of Germany,
and, in the name Of Germany and the German
people, refuses to retire from fortress which
she declares to be German property. The
question as between the two Powers is thus
reduced to the narrowest possible limits.
Prussia will not yield. France must yield or
fight.
Which of the two courses is France likely to
adopt! Will she tamely submit, or will she
draw the sword? No one who understands the
temper and present feeling of the French peo-
pie can have any difficulty as to the answer
which ought 20 be given to this alternative. If
Bismarck remains obstinate, France will and
weighty reasons why Napoleon should not
wish, just al present, to undertake the RESPONSE
bility and to encounter the risks Of war
Another time certainly might be more conve-
nient and we may rest assured that war will
not be proclaimed until the arts Of dipl lomacy
-
has never been in the habit Of consulting mere
convenience when his own honor and the
honor Of France has been at stake. Directly,
therefore, it becomes manifest that dishonor is
inscparable from delay, ne will "let slip the
dogs Of war;" Nor will it be possible for him
10 do otherwise, even If he were willing. The
blood Of France is up. There il nothing Of
which Frenchman il so proud. as Of toe posi-
ton which his country occupies among the
nations of the earth. There is nothing which
he so much breads as that that prOnd position
should be lost. On more than one occa-
tasted the bitterness Of humiliation. Prussia
herself has already touched them on the
sore and sensitive part They have borne il,
Il is true, but they have borne il with impa-
tience, and have never ceased to long for
their opportunity. II, therefore, Napoleon,
yielding TO an extreme desire to preserve
peace, were to remain passive under this fresh
insuit-a supposition in the last degree un-
likely-their pent-up feelings Of indignation
would prove too mnch even for his restrain
ing influence; they would burst, and. like a
fierce torrent, would cast him aside or hurry
him helplessly along with them. II, on the other
hand, he filings himself on the people and
asks their support, they will leap in obedience
to his summons; all that is lovelicst and noblest
and best in the land will be consecrated to The
cause; the stirring strains OF the old MarseIlaise
will res0und throughout all her borders, and
France will be reused a. she has not been
reused since those memorable days OF the
first republic, when she rose as one man and
drove the invader from her soil. In this one
thing Frenchmen Of every class and OF all
shades of opinion will unite; aud. If the EN-
pcror will but put himself at their head he
will broaden the foundations of his throne aud
strengthen the hopes of his dynasty. OF this
no one is more fully aware than the Emperor
himself 1t u impossible, therefore. to doubt
the course be will follow. IN
Should war be proclaimed II IL impossible 10
predict what disastrous consequences may fol-
low or where or how ii may end. The French
iron-clads for certain will sweep the flag Of
Prussia from the sea. They will blockade her
ports both in the Baltic Sea and German
Ocean. and carry death and destruction along
her entire seaboard. The blockade will be sIl
but certain to beget serious difficulties with
England, who will strive to make capital out
Of this war, as she has made out Of 40 many
others; and in naval warfare Of unparalleled
magnitude the value of ron-clads may be per-
mancntly settled. Whether France or Prussia
shall be ultimately victorious is a question Of
minor Importance in comparison with the other
and more momentous consequences to which it
is certain the war will give birth. War is little
likely to confne itself to France and Prus-
sia. The contagion win spread. The hands
Of rulers being tied democracy may awake to
newness Of life and sweep torrent-like over
Europe. involving thrones and dynasties in
general ruin We shall not regret the chaos If
better and nobler Europe emerge from its