The union Democrat., 1867-10-19

"A'. iudiueTehee aIIoW TO be trlfted with hv
sophlsms put forth in the name of the ecotis.
teal and impatient ambition Of any foreign
rover. 1t was evident that series OF
iortresSes situated on the left bank of the
mime which irrated the Emperor when in
his speech at Auxerre he denounced the trea-
ties OF 1915. and yet they could not then
haze been turned to much account against us
by the German Confederation. But they will
numiliate and menace us very much more
IT. In the event of q quarrel with Prussia,
that Power should obtain immediate posses
sion of them by her treaties with Hesse, Ba.
den and Bavaria. The permanent security
of France is now at stake. II is need
full not to be missed by the frivolity that lies
on the surface; it is necessary that it should
be known TO the Government and to Europe
that among tho most worthy citizens OF
France the patriotic fiber is wildly. painfully
touched. The most liberal, tho most pacific
those most sincerely devoted to popular prog,
ress, begin to feel and to preach with man.
" conviction the most rigorous, the most pos
tive. the most exclusive duties of patriot.
ism"
That there should be no doubt as 10 his
meaning. FORBADE refers with satisfaction TO
the "cry of wounded patriotism EXPRESSED
la France, in which the Rhine is claimed
jas the natural boundary of France on the
north. A warning to the Emperor is evil
IDENTIFY intended to be conveyed in the praise
bestowed on Dufraisse's " "Aistorie du Droit
de Paix ct de Guerre de 1889 ISl5,n in
which contrast is drawn between the exten-
sions of territory under the revolutionary As.
sembhes, when France governed herself and
the sacrifice OF these annexations through
the reckless policy of a capricious despot.
How far FORBADE really represents the opn-
ION OF the nation remains to be seen. but
war for the Rhine provinces would doubtless
be popular with the democratic masses. 1t
has been too readily assumed that the ques.
non OF peace or war rests altogether with the
decision of the Emperor; but change has
begun to come over the spirit Of the people
since Provost Paradol drew his celebrated
sketch of the French nation as dog watch.
ing its master with blinking curiosity, and
patiently waiting to see which way he would
throw the pebble. The Emperor has already
begun to feel himself more than he ever felt
before under the pressure ofthe popular will.
There is no reason to doubt the sincerity with
which at Lille he entreated the people not to
give way to entrdinementS iatempestifS, and it
Is tolerably plain that this excitement did not
exist merely in his inauguration. There is q
deep seated irritation and uneasiness-what
they would themselves call malaiSe-amonC
the French, which may be traced in a great
measure to their jealousy of Prussia and their
humiiiation atsthe recent failure of the Impe.
rial policy both in Europe and America. 1t
was tact bargain between the people and
their sovereign that they were to receive
glory as the price of their liberty and of late
the Imperial installments have been paid in
q series of dishonored bills. 1t is possible to
say what the Emperor may not be tempted to
do to restore the good humor and self salts
faction of his subjects, and it is this which
imperils the peace of Europe. Whether or
not there will be war depends upon the rela.
tons between Napoleon and his people a.
we'll as on the relations between France and
Prussia.