The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-23
The Situation i'm Europe.

We see nothing in the foreign kilograms
which we have received up to the time
when we pen this article to cause us to
change the opinion expressed yesterday
that the war is near its end-that Prussia
has nothing to fight for, and that France is
not in condition to fight. The French
have abandoned Chalons, and, crossing the
Marne, have so posted themselres as to
prevent if possible the passage of that river
by the PIussian army. These continual
retreats would be enough to paralyze the
energies of the best army that ever trod
the earth. The Prussians, if they intend
to pursue their journey to Paris, will Of
course flank the positions occupied by the
French on the banks Of the Marine, and
compel another retrograde movement OF
NAPoLEoN's army.
1t was noted Frenchman who remark
ed In speaking Of the execution OF the Due
p'ENGEIEN by the order of the great NAro-
LEON, that it was worse than crime--it
was q blunder. So may be it said OF the
determination of LOUIS NAPOLEON 10 90 to
war with PruSsia-it was worse than Il
crime; it was an ineXcusablc blunder-a
blunder for which the French people will
They firmly believed that he was better
prepared for war than WILLIAM !; and with
q unaninity such as is rarely witnessed
in any country under such circumstances,
they declared that they would sustain him.
How he has disappointed their eNpecta-
Ia tor hni, nd hni
hearts, may easily be imagined. Aud us
they will hold him responsible for
his utter want Of good judgment, so those
Americans who sympathize with France
should reserve their good wishes for the
deceived people, and not waste them upon
LOUIS NAPOLEON. 1t was grievous fault
and grievously will he answer it. But this
is what men must expect who play with
Kingdoms. Kings, and especially French
kings or rulers, like military officers in
every country, must succeed or be sent tc
Coventry. They know the risk which they
assume. They know the penalty OF failure
And thus knowing beforehand the alterna
tiyes before them, they must have states
manship enough to act their part SO as that
the country shall suffer no detriment, OF
else surrender the sceptre to stronger
hands. So far as we in this country car
judge, France owes her humiliation tc
having commenced a war when she was uu
prepared for it; and for this dreadful mis-
take LOUIS NAPOLEON Is responsible. Thi
may be said without disparagement Of the
splendid achievements of the Prussial
army.
And this leads us to remark that thu
world has been in the dark up to this time
as to the plan of the campaign which ha:
been prosecuted so vigorously and SO sue
cessfuly by the Prussians. Yet we may
safely predict that when the veil is lifted
and the facts become public, and the his
tory Of that campaign Is written, the splen
dor Of the genius that planned it and thu
skill and gallntry of the soldiers who exc
cuted it will excite the admiration Of the
world. Even our own great battles vii
possibly be dwarfed. These achievement.
are so wonderful that we, like all the world
have learned to speak OF the French as I'm
prepared for war and yet it is only by com
p@AoSA "AsA VIZ SOuQitAOh VI uoSld Guat
France thus appears. Prussia was as man
clad, like HAALET's father, in complete ar.
mor-armed oap-a.pse. France, like an ath.
lete In his native manhood, conscious of his
strength, fearing no enemy, and not know.
ing what he would need in his conflict.
For our part we are like old CAspAR. We
read Of these famous victories, and so ia,
from "knowing what twas oil about
know too well that it was about moth
Ing. The wickedness and cruelty of sacri
ficing so many lives for nothing except the
pleasures Of victory Is the uppermos,
thought In our minds. France cannot DOS
slbly gain'snything, nor lose much. Prus
STA cannot possibly gain much, nor lose any.
thing. Yet hundreds and thousands O,
lives have been sacrificed, and hundreds and
thousands OF widows and orphans beer
rnlde within the last two weeks. Those
who pity NAPOLEON or laud WILLIAM should
think of these things. NAPOLEON com
meneed the war. WILLIAM seems disposed
to continue it. Let us hope that not many
days win have passed ere we shall receive
tieings Of prospective peace.
tt -----------------------------------
What bett ar proof of the imbecilityof the
Emperor Of France could be asked for than