New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-18
LIMITS no THE WAR.

| If it is true that Austria has declared
her intention to remain neutral, and has
disclaimed that she contemplated, or had
contemplated the augmentation of her
army: if it is true that Russia has signifed
by any act of refusal on her part to sign
secret treaty with Prussia, that she is
indisposed to enter the field; if it is true
that Denmark and Belgium have obtained
such assurances of protection that they
can afford to rest at ease, then the war
between Prussia and France will be trial
of skill between united Germany and
divided France. By this We mean, what
is apparent to the most casual observer,
that the sentiment of Germany is thor
oughly welded into one common determi-
nation to support King William in
his policy Of erecting the Gernlanic
race into a power capable of making
itself almost potential in the af-
fairs of Europe. France is so thorough
ly distracted, that Bonaparte is as much in
dread of the enemy behind as he is of
that in front of him. Two parties dis
pute his right to govern France, and he is
uncertain whether he will be succeeded
by republic or Bourbon. This dis
trust of Paris was so great, that it mani
testify impaired the clearness of his judg-
ment in his premature invasion Of Prussia.
And he certainly feels to-day that his
mistake in that respect has not helped him
at home. His keen sense of the effect
likely to result from disaster, and his lively
appreciation Of the perils which thicken
around his dynasty, are only so many the
more causes which may operate to produce
their own crisis. No man can keep a
level head when he is uncertain as to the
status of his immediate guardsman.
France is thoroughly distracted She
was not harmonious before the war, for
the monster strikes throughout the empire
declared the presence Of widespread
The spirit of republicanism
from the highest minds to the
lowest; and what the profoundest orators
declared in the Legislature found an echo
in the dullest plodder in the workshops.
This is kind of sentiment which enthu-
siasm only intensifes, as was evidenced
when the Directory contended with the
aristocrats at home and with Europe
abroad, by REFRESHING the one and repel-
ing the other. In addition, the royalists |
Ire both the advocates of republicanism |
md royalty, because they intrigue for
revolution in order to restore the Bour-
oons. Wherever a republican meeting is
IN uproar for aggressive measures, a
shrewd' detective might find a royaEst. |
Under such disadvantages it is easy to
discover that the disparity which affects
Prussia as to population, is more than |
made up by the divisions in France.
Bonaparte can only rely on the regular
army and his immediate friends. The !
reserves, which have been conscnpted |
rom the people, are not actuated by the
anne sentiment which moves the German
orces as with single will. And as it is
from the conclusions with which |
he issue has been invested by the new
reaty of other powers, that the fight will
low be confined to conflict between
mited Germany and the Napoleonic
lynasty, it is hardly doubtful that Prus-
ia will triumph in France as she did in
Austria, not in humbling an empire, but
n crushing the house Of Bonaparte as she
lid that of HanShurp