The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1870-09-16
MARIETTA GEORGIA FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER IS 1870
HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS OF THE
WAR.


cling in the eastern parts Of France cam
not but force upon the thinking mind
the reflection how remarked the contrast
between the early history of most of the
povinces of Europe and that Of the pres
ent day. Struggling with civilization and
gradually unfolding their development,
there were border provinces along the
Rhine whose territory seems to have
been one long scene of carnage. More
than twelve hundred yeas ago, before
the days Of the Capets, when France
was the home of probably hundred pct
ty sovereign, the Kingdoms of Metz and
of Soissions like tn Sc Of Orleans and Pa
ris were little empires. They were cons
family changing masters, altering their
fontiers and their size, and adding to or
losing territory, accordingt to the fate OF
war, until they weFeAgradually absorbed
by more powerful chiefs into larger pro,
vinces. Even later, as far down as the
DAYS of Charlemagne, the frontiers Of
these border provinces were most uncer-
tain. The Bavarians, SaXons, Alleman-
MI or Germans proper, and Prisons,
made constant efforts to pass the Rhine
and occupy the territory which was
held bv the Franks, a german tribe.
The Franks, in return, crossed the Rhine
at different periods and ravaged the
territory of the Thuringians, the Ale
manni and the Ba>arians and reduced,
them at times to subsection. The Sax
ons held their own, and between the
Franks warfare was continued and
change of boundry frequent. In the
days of Charlemagno things were
different From the neighborhood
where battle now RACES those legions
were organized with which he went
forth to conquer the European world,
and for time at least he gave peace to
provinces which had hitherto known no
rcpose.
There were times, both earlier and
later, when Metz, which was settled as
far back as the days of the Mediomatrici
seems to have known nothing butwar.-
Caesar marched over her with his le-
cions. Vitellius levelled her to the
ground, and Atlila swept over her when
he marched on with his Huns to fight
the battle of Chalons. Later, thriving
as it were upon ruin, we find hei the
capital of the Kingdom OF Metz, then
absorbed into the larger Empire of Aus
trasa, and again principal town IN
Lotharinga or Lorraine, now PrivInce
of France. But in all times, and through
all changes, Metz has borne the brunt of
battle. From the days we have refer
red to, through the wars between Lor-
raine and Champagne, and through all
the changes of dynasties and consolida-
ton of empires, Metz has been, as II
were. in the mid-stream of battle, and
has recorded the story of many costly
success and bloody defeat
How important Metz is considered, as
strategic point, may be inferred from
the care and labor which have been Law
ished upon the Notifications, Metz,
and her sister fortress, StrasbnrS, are
the two strongest cities in france
Metz La PuceHc, as the French call
her-Mctz the Maiden, has a girdle Sud
dcd with forts and redoabts, built by
Vauban and Belle Isle. She has be-
SIDES two ''double crowns" which must
fall before the Maiden can be won
While tho masses of German troops
have marched on, successful and defiant,
this Amazonan Maiden still stands, not
only nnsubdued, but menacing the COM
munications of the victorious army
She shelters Bazaine and nourshes his
troops. She opens her arms to McMa-
hon and bids him approach. What viii
be her fate viii she successfully re-
sist to the close, or viii she at last I'M
loose her zone to the terrible appeal OF
springing of mines and after her vine
yards and hop gardens have been strewn
with the bones and watered with the
blood of brave men, bow her head to
her naughty conqueror
1t is a sad page in history which is
now being written, and will be fearful
record for the Maiden who sits by the
banks of the blue Moselle. Civilization
has wrought its changes, and the con
slant border warfare which prevailed IN
darker ages has ceased to exist bu'
still the merciIess slaughter OF to-day
should be disgrace and STAN upon
the annals of any period, AMI Kings and
Princes, who recklessly kindle flame
of war which is only to be extingulshed
by blood, should hold no higher place IN
the scale of humanity than those Roman
Enperors who sIaug htered victims for
their amusement. Fortunately tor CIV
ilization war creates exhaustion, and the
terrible lessons of to-day will, it is TO be
hoped, be guarantee for long years of
peace hereafter.