The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-05

self, surrendered to the Prussian King. And
Marshal Bazaine, appalled, by the misfor-
tunes of his comrades is, also said to have
made an unconditional surrender. Thus,
in less than six weeks, the French armies
have been shattered and vanquished by the
sledge-hammer blows OF the Prussians. The
surrender OF Napoleon. OF Mcmahon and OF
Bazaine marks the close OF the most bril-
liant campaign in the annals OF modern mill
tary history. AS compared with the ex-
plojts of the Germans on French soil in 1870,
the campaigns Of France against Austria in
1860, and. of Prussia against the same
poweri in 1866, were slow, immature and in
decisive.
1t may be said that France has not eS-
hausted her resources of money or OF men,
and that forty millions of souls are not neces-
sarily conquered when their armies are de-
feated twice, thrice or dozen times. This
is not denied. France can still put in the
field million OF men; nor is her national
credit so affected that she cannot obtain, at
home or abroad, whatever money she may
require for the equipment of her armies.
But new armies cannot be raised, equipped
organized and drilled in day or week
Napoleon the First told his generals that he
would give them anything but time. And
this is now the maxim of the Prussan conf
mander. 1t may be expected that the Prus-
sian armies will surge up to the walls of
Paris. There will be neither hesitation nor
delay. And the German forces are so huge
in their proportions that they can, while in
vesting Paris, detach an army to sweep
through the centre ard south of France, cut
ting oilsupplies, dispensing the raw levies,
aud crushing cut the last sparks OF the fires
of war. There will be no halting on tie
road, unless the Prussians have been more
roughly handled than we have any reason to
suppose. Nor will o revolution, and q
change of government, improve the posi-
tion OF the French. They do not lack pa
triotism, or ardor in the cause of France.
Their one great need is time-time for col
Iecting men and munitions, time for drill
and reorganization Aud time they will not
have
All the reasons OF the terrible and wholly
unexpected collapse of the French military
system cannot now be given. 1t is certain,
however, that the French have been out
marched, out-numbered and outgeneraled.
But the French soldiers have fought with a
splendid valor worthy OF their ancient fame.
Their mighty enemy acknowledges their
mighty proves, and does honor to the
reckless courage which opposed every for
ward step and covered the plains OF France
with the flower OF the German soldiery.
France has no cause to blush for her chill
dren. Germany is proud of her heroic sons.
1t would be q happy thing if Latin and. Teu-
ton could now clasp hands, and build up an
edilice of friendliness and peace, none the
less lasting because cemented with the
richest blood of Germany and France. This,
VIZ fear, cannot be. The French cannot be
whipped into loving their enemies, no matter
now magnanimously they are treated.
AS might have been expected, the Ameri-
con people have studied with keen interest
every move upon the cLeckered field OF war.
They have sympathized, according to ma
tionality or descent, with German or with
Frank, have laughed or frowned as the blue
wave, crested with steel, rolled resistlessly
over France. But, beyond all questions Of
sympathy or affection the South has watch
ed the course OF events with an intense anx-
iety. Upon the price OF cotton and proyi-
sions depends the whole commercial and
financial life of the Southern States. The
first effect of the European war was an adj
vance in provisions and decline in cotton;
ard the people pondered with ill-disguised
anxiety the probable duration of the
bloody struggle. 1t was only too evident
that long war would run cotton SO low
down that the planters, table to meet their
engagemcG! :, would have no surplus to be
employed in preparing with effect for anoth-
er season. This would have affected every
/ department of trade; it would have injured
the negro laborer, as well as the proprietor
OF many acres, the prosperous merchant,
the Industrious artifcer anu the hard-work-
ing shopkeHper. Bnt, already the expecta-
ton OF blessed peace is improving our post
ton. Cotton On Saturday advanced con-