Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1870-07-20
War Declared,

SCllCO Ui"u wal ltIo pSCil W.
clared between France and
Prussia. 1t was regarded as
entirely probable, from the first
explosion Of ill,feeling over the
candidature Of Prince Leopold,
that war between these two
powers would ensue. But it is
not necessary to look for the
cause in recent events-these
have been merely the preteXt,
The trouble lies far deeper. In
one sense, it is a family feud,
between the Napoleons and the
Hohenzollerns, handed down
from the First Napoleon and
Frederick William. In the
wars Of the great Napoleon,
Prussia was at one time de-
spoiled Of half her territory,
which was confirmed to France
by the treaty Of Tilsit. This
act of spoliation embittered the
royal family of Prussia exceed
ingly, especially Queen Louisa,
who from that time incessantly
plotted against France, and was
an important agent in bring
ing about the Continental alli-
ance. 1t is said that she was
with the column Of Blucher, at
the battle of Waterloo, and in
spired the Prussian troops with
her intense hatred against NJ
poleon. The treaty of Paris
more than restored to Prussia
her original territory. That
portion lying on the French
side Of the Rhine has been a
source Of trouble and contro-
versy from the time Of the ac-
cession of Napoleon Third to
the throne. War has seemed
imminent several times, with
the ostensible object Of a recti-
fcation of boundary, but was
averted by diplomacy. At the
close of the war of 1866, France
would have engaged Prussia in
war were it not for the fact
that the Prussian army was
mobilized and in the flush Of
victory, and therefore in better
condition for a trial of strength
than it might be at some subse.
quent time. But the bitter
feeling between the two fami-
lies was clearly apparent at the
time.
The political cause for the
war is, the large accession of
territory and population to
Prussia as the result Of the
campaign of 1866 against Aus,
tria. This did much toward
consolidating all the German
principalities under Prussian
protection, if it did not indeed
combine them as a part Of the
Prussian nationality, This, for
all practical purposes, gave
Prussia one Of the largest pop.
ulations of Europe, and eleva-
ted her to a frst-class position
among the powers Of Europe.
Added to this, Prussia has
pursued a careful, but aggress-
i've policy, and since 1866, has
really% contested with France
the political tominancy of
Europe. 1t has been evident
for some time that she was
drawing other great powers in.
to a close friendly alliance, but
for what purpose could only
be conjectured. But the close
alliance sought with Spain, by
the elevation of a Prussian
Prince to the throne, could not
be misunderstood. Taken in
connection with other intrigues,
of which the French Emperor
could not be ignorant, it was a
threat against France. 1t meant
the extension of the power and
influence Of Prussia, as a part
Of her preparation for the inev-
liable collision with France
In getting hold Of Prim, and
inducing him to accept Prince
Leopold, Bismark gained a
victory over Napoleon. But
the sudden action Of France
deprives Prussia of the advan-
tage Of the diplomatic success,
unless as a result Spain should
Join fortunes with her. 1t is
then a contest for influence and
power. 1t transfers the decis
ion from the realms of intrigue
and diplomacy to the field Of