The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-15

| to agitate in every country. The military
| power of Prussia during the last two years has
| vastly increased From being nation of
| $4,000, 900 of people, she has at present under
her immediate command the forces of a Con-
federation numbering 29,000000, and as, in
| case of a foreign war, the South German States
would undoubtedly adhere to the stipulation
of The treaties which places their armies
under the chief command of Prussia, she re-
presents in such a case nation with nearly
$4,000, ,O000 Of people. AS the army of the
North German States has been wholly oonsoli-
dated with the Prussian, and that of the
Southern States has been reorganiZed after the
Prussian model, the army Of which the King
of Prussia, in time of war, assumes the sn.
preme command, is double the strength of the
Prussian army prior to 1865.
So powerful, indeed, was Prussia after the
reconstruction OF Germany in 1856 that the
French Government admitted the superiority,
in point Of numbers and of readiness for a
great war, of the German to the French army.
A reorganization of the latter, though it was
extremely unpopular and alienated some Of
the staunchest friends of the empire, was
forced through the legislative body, on the
plea of its absolute necessity for the safety Of
France. The reorganization having been car
ried through, the French Government de-
clared that now it was prepared for any emer-
gency. Ever since there has been a wide
spread opinion that Napoleon, believing France
u
that OF Prussia, was desirous of bringing on
war and conquering all of Germany that lies
west of the Rhine. The opinion has gained
strength in spite OF (perhaps in consequence
of the many semi-oficial pacific declarations
on the part of the French Government. 1t
has been supposed that, after secretly COM
pleting all the preparations for great war,
Louis Napoleon might, as a pretext, spring
upon Prussia peremptory demand for the
reduction OF her army. Such a demand
would, Of course, be refused. Prussia has
shown that she can muster courage to refuse
improper demands of Napoleon, and that she
will not and cannot disarm at his bidding.
Whenever Prussia may disarm, she will do so
because she thinks herself sufficiently strong
to risk such step, and probably with view
to the effect upon home policy in allaying the
opposition of the South German Liberals
The moneyed men of France do not believe
In the pacific intention of the Emperor and
the Bourse continues to be greatly agitated.
Everybody believes that the Emperor not
wlthstanding his pacific assurances, would not
hesitate an hour to declare war, il he were en-
tlrely sure OF the issue. II he refrsins from
war, 1t is because he regards the prospects of
success as anything but sure. We adhere to
the opinion that Prussia will avoid as much as
possible to give Napoleon a just cause of
offense, and that Napoleon will not dare to
precipitate war.
General Grant and a Democratic s'Peace."
From the ". y Times. |-
The organs OF the Democratic party insist
that peace" cannot be secured to the country
by the election of General Grant. Precisely
/ SO In 1864 they insisted that peace demanded
the election of Mcclellan and the defeat of
Lincoln. Then war was fagrant, and the
Democratic mode of securing peace was by
stopping the war-by proclaiming a truce
between the conteDding armies, and making
A1akA - a.
nent adjustment of conflicting claims. The
people did not sanction this programme
They preferred to eight it out, " and in that
way to settle the issues that had been made.
They reelected Lincoln, and thus proclaimed
their fixed and unalterable determination to
make peace bys overcoming and conquering
the rebellion which had disturbed it. The
Democratic plan would have ended the war,
undoubtedly, and would thus have given us
peace; but it would have been a peace
lacking all sanction-a peace that would have
settled nothing-that would have left all the
original elements of the rebellion in full
vigor and force, and that would have been
speedily dispelled by renewal of the contest
under circumstances infinitely more favorable
to the rebellion. .f ..-.r'.. .. .......r.
Time has thoroughly vindicated the wisdom
OF the decision in 1864. Peace came-the war
closed-the moment that decision was pro-
nounoed. And SO will it be now. The cleo
tiOn of General Grant will have the same
effect on the political passions and conflicts
that now disturb the public mind, which the
election of Lincoln in 1864 had upon the con-
test waged in the battlefield. 1t will declare
the fixed purpose of the people; and that of
itself will go far towards securing the object
sought. For, in spite of the elamOr and CON
fusion that always accompany a political can
yass, the will OF the people, when once de-
clared, always challenges and commands re-
speot. All parties, all sections, all interests
and all classes respect it. 1t is the natural
tendency OF popular sentiment to defer to and
obey 1t. The history OF the nation affords
only one instance OF an effort to disregard
and resist it-and the result of that was SO
disastrous-sO utterly fatal to those by whom
1t was made-that there is but little danger of
its being renewed, during the present genera
tion at all events.
The Democratic party is dealing largely in
threats OF resistance to the public will, if that
will shall be pronounced in favor OF the elee-
ton OF General Grant and of reconstruction ON
the basis OF universal suffrage laid down by
Congress. There is neither terror nor strength
in these threats. Indeed, a portion of the
Democratic press is already learning that they
only damage the cause they are designed to
serve. There may be differences of opinion as
to the wisdom of the Congressional plan of
reconstruction, but there will be none as to
the necessity of not allowing that plan, or any
other that may be embodied in the law of the
land, to be overthrown by force. Democrats
may threaten such resistance now as they did
In 1860; and the South may trust to hopes of
party aid in resisting it now, as they did then.
But 1t will fail them still more signally and
disastrously now. The national sentiment
the sentiment of loyalty to the law-the senti-