The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-04
PEACE OR WAR.

Translated iiOin the Courier des Etats Unis Sept "a
The great question that agitates the spirits in Bu
rope, the HERALD is to know whether the situa
ton of France and the spirit and conduct of the
French government are compatible with the stability
American journal, we fatty reply, no. 1t is now some
time that the opposition party has been beating the big
drum and hurting the following stupid argument at
the French gOvernment:-"Y0u have no policy, you
do not know what you want or If you profess any
policy, II you know what you want, why tell US; we
want to know" Those who indulge in TINS language
that is, the leaders II not the sheep-know u well
that the French government has line OF politics.
cisely because they know it, and because they Know,
too that 1t cannot be noised about they continu
ally drumming about the government, the hypocrltes
Furthermore they know quite well that what the gov
eminent wants the nation wants; they know quite
well that in this respect the government is IN perfect
communion with the nation, and their hypocrisy u
the more Jesuitical 6rom the fact that If the gov
eminent were to expose Its views they would not
have treacherous word In reply.
What the French want without an exception, and
from their innermost heart and even at the cost Of
their blood Is the refrigeration OF France in its ma
tural frontiersth3t IT, what was taken from her by
the European spoliaton OF 1875 that which was re.
fused them by the surprise, not to say the rckey OF
Prussia In 1885, In word, II is revenge for Water
loo and compensation for Sadowa. If the Restora-
ton Ia fallen 1t Is because France wanted the Rhen
lppe fell it was because he wanted to lower France
In foreign opinion and that under his rule the Rhen
ish frontier was out OF the question. II the republic
resoutely on to the Rhine, and thus confOund the
greatness of France with its own. II the earth trem
nation chafes and demands the Rhine and IL 1t arms,
and II it Is as Marshal Mel states, the only European
Il is because It demands the same as 4 the '" ma
ton. The Rhcnish frontier-peacefuly II possible,
by war If necessary. Yes, the imperial government
has line Of politics that Is quite in harmony with
the French nation, and It knows well that when it
abandons those principles the French people will
abandon IL In return as 1t abandoned the B0urbons,
the Orleanists and even the republic. And this Is
why Europe not quiet now, because she knows this
as well as we do; because France has been the VIC
NJ fpi at
that France Is not inclined to be trodden upon that
she will rise some day, when she shall have found 1t
giant she will not withdraw as long as drop Of
blood Is left in her areres and before this rich ana
h sar ro os Of Sood These are we'll
known facts, and the only uncertainty Is the propl-
ogs for the display i 81 ner bd Peae up
This is why Europe is on volcano until France
rerans the Rhenish frontier. II Is not because
terests or conyeniences OF others. She would will
inrly admit any notifications suggested by just
For Instance. she would be satisfied instead OF
taking forcible possession, In which she has ma
ns s Keep 9 ON 6r frontier an
protect her security In one word she would be salts
he'd with any arrangement interposing the Rhine
between her and Germany. Is this asking for too
muchs No, there Is no dsinterested Power that
could raise such pretence and perhaps. there Is not
that does not desire ~. This concession to the
historical pretcnsions OF France would not be too
much in return for universal security. This is the
reason that tile European POWERS nave an interest
to settle q point that Keeps up an armed force VI
twelve hundred thousand men on each shore Of
the Rhine, that paralyzes twelve hundred
thousand men on either side, that suro-
Gates commerce and consigns unproductlve
millions to the cellars OF the Banque that startles all
the Powers and ruins the peoples In short that keeps
all Europe II were under the dominion OF fearful
nightmare and modern civilization under the
menace OF the most dreadful collision that the world
has experienced. 1t Is quite plain that this can
not last and must be cleared up, The naturalization
OF the Rhenish provinces or rebrand cast into the
four corners OF Europe. This ia the last word Of
France the last word OF the empire II the name OF
Napoleon implies anything IL implies this. Is yet
time to settle 1t In peace but II will soon be time to
settle 1t by arms When the Emperor provoked
congress his object was for peaceful arrangement
On organizing the army he thought that, falling the
congress, he would be forced to have recourse to
war. Let Europe make the choice. Let counsels,
interests sympathies and influences DO brought
into action for peaceful solution. France does not
ask more and she will show herself easy respecting
the form and modest In her requirements; but II the
contrary Ia brought about-f COUNSEL Influences
sympathies and interests are against her--she will
then only consult her mistaken resolution ana
will do justice by herself THIS Is the policy OF
France and ought to be The policy OF the empire.
The two are inseparable; and this can only be
ignored by those VINO wilfuly refuse TO acknow-
ledge Al.