The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-07-21
War Declared.

A declaration of war against Prussia has
been made by France the final provocation
being the insulting dismissal Of the French
Minister by King William. The die is cast,
aud the struggle will now open. It is mis-.
take to hold France to the responsibility,
She was deceived about Prussia hand in
Spain, AMI when she properly demanded an
explanation, prompt withdrawal and sat.
istactory guarantee from Prussia, she got
only preyaricatiou, delay, dupleity and, at
last, open insult. Its idle to say that Prus.
sia knew nothing of what was going on in
Spain; no European Cabinet believes any
such tale, and on this side it is safe to as
sumo that they have as clear ideas on the
whole matter as we have. The whole thing
is plot to circumvent France aud aggran.
die Prussia A nation like France could
never be expected TO submit to it, and we
therefore find her entire population unit
for war. That Napoleon was prepared is
no extcnuaton for Prussia's conduct; she
has challenged the issue with the same
knowledge of the fact that others have. And
the secrecy of her movements sufficiently
answers for her prevarication in explaining
herself
In this war Prussia has been the agsres.
sor. She knew her conduct in Spain was
indefensible, or she would nothave pursued
it under concealmcnt. She is without the
positive sympathy Of single first class
power in Europe, Having trampled ON
Denmark, planted Prince in Roumania,
and done her utmost to crush cut Austria
by taking her at a disadvantage, she thought
to gain foothold in dscrcpit Spain, and
thence secure naval station in the West
Indies. Her government rests on hard
arstocracy, and is democratic in no sense
whatever. The whole idea of Bismorb is TO
rule. Prussia makes no friends at home or
allies abroad Her landwehr and laudstrum
are not the army Of France, and, whatever
their education, are not alive and ihrobbing
with the one desire to exalt and extend the
name and power OF their country. The
German provinces that were annexed were
never absorbed, and South Germany yielded
such assent as it did under rude compassion
alone. Aud we shall see no such enthusiasm
throughout the German States, north or
south of the Main, as has been declared to
exist among them for Prussia,
Napoleon is supported by all France.
That powerful nation is homogeneous. 1t
is to-day one people, aud its voice is for
war. Never was rational liberty so estab.
lished in France as now. The last popular
vtoe was without any restraint, and the
world knows how Overwhelmingly it declar.
ed for the Emperor. He owes his throne
TO the people alone, not, like the HI z OF
Prussia, to bloodless aristocracy. Free.
dom with authority forms the motto Of bis
state. Unlike the ruler of Prussia, he seeks
to rebuild states, not to shatter and trample
them. He withheld his arm in Austria
when he had carried his original point, and
Solferino ended with very different intent
from Sadowa. lie wished to make Italy
free from the Alps to the Adriatic." lie
has refrained from interference in the affairs
of Spain. No crushed little Denmark
writhes under the heel ofhis power. AT
home, he has ever sought to establish lib.
erty GU the basis of order rather thin force.
.
No favored class in FRANCE exist on a is.
heartened people. The Empire is alive
with industry and the evidences of pros,
perity, Paris is the capital of civilization.
France is consolidated nation, where il
once was but series Of provinces. The
throne is supported, not by powerful fac.
ton, an aristocratic class, or the happ,
chances Of a discordant state, but by In,
united population. The recent pleJiseite il
conclusive.
The President is fully justified in sum.
moning Congress to an extra session By til,
importance ofthe event. The possible issue
may interest the United States vastly more
than is generally expected. 1t will re
pay the cost Of such a session if we shall
improve our still open opportunity to Obtain
a foothold in the West Indies, which tn,
sulky stupidity of the Senate refused to i'm
prove. San Domingo is the very position
from which we can contemplate this contes
with an assurance that our own rights anC
honor are to be maintained. We canno
prophecy where the complication will end
nor in what form either the Cuban or tn
Alabama question may come upon us To-
instant settlement 1t is the first duty oil
wise craftsmanship to be prepared. Dos