Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-12-14

made While it was distinguished by some
brave fighting and slight successes, it was yet
unsuccessful in its main object The Pros-
sian lines Of investment remain perfectly un-
broken. Having found their efforts frutlcss,
Gen. Ducrot issues an order to his army in
which he commcnds their yalor and urges
them to raise their hearts to the level Of the
sacrifices that will be required Of them.
In consequence Of this vain attempt to
raise the seigc of Paris by Gen. Trochu, and
the inability Of the army Of the Loire to
reach the capital after a series Of engage.
monts in which il has been beaten in detail
and driven ont OF ana south of Orleans, and
forced even beyond Tours, Gambott, the
French minister Of war, abandons the contest
with the Germans as hopeless This conclu.
sion ought to have been reached weeks ago
1t would have saved extensive slaughter Of
troops on both sides and infinite suferings TO
the unhappy population of Paris.
There seems, however, to be no relaxing Of
energy on the part Of the Prussians Ia the
north Of France Gen. Manteuilel has been
following up his successes aud is now knock
ing at the gates of Ilavrc the great seaport
of France. Eastern, northern, central and
western France are now in the hands Of the
invaders. Tho only army that gave any hope
Of successfully contendiug with them, is forced
from the field with immense loss Of men and
artillery and provision the Committee Of the
National Defense is in despair, and are driven
to Bordeaux on the southern coast aud there
seems to every thoughtful observer nothing
/ left to France but unconditional submission
TO whatever terms the conquerer may dictate
Thus draws to its close the most unparal.
elIed contest in the history Of Europe 1t
began six months ago with the most extrava-
CANT expectations on the part of the French
nation But all its dreams Of victory have
proved deusiyc, and instead Of camping in
the squares OF Berlin and running its bouuda-
ry line on the left bank of the Rhine, its
Emperor and armies are prisoners in Germa-
ny, its fortresses and cities are in the hands or
at the feet Of its enemy its iron-clad fleets
have proved as powcross as if they were
made Of pasteboard aud its population arc
reduced to anarchy or despair The old
mountain Businesses which were overrun by
the armies Of Louis the Fourteenth, when he
I.t, 80. Al f. Al
the hopes Of the relorm9tiou, have witnessed
the defeat and surrender Of the greatest reg
ular armies Of the world and following in
the train of these military Disasters, the AL
most unnoted overthrow of the temporal SOW
ereignty Of that Priest-King who once in.
spired the cruelty Of France against the very
provinces that have now been wrenched from
her grasp forever
1t is impossible to predict the future
Doubtless the great actors iG these event,
are ignorant of what may happen tomorrow
1t is possible that Napoleon may return tC
France with his captured armies, and resum,
the cares of State, aud arrange the terms o
peace with his conqueror France seems t,
} be making up its mind for the surrender o
r the Republic, and the return of monarchy
, But whatever the result may be. the Who'll,
civilized world will hope that Prussia will al
low her justice and generosity to outshine the
splendor Of her military successes, aud vii
crown the most wonderful campaign OF aucien
G or modern times with Il peace which histor,
/ will signalizc as more glorious than her bat
ties. Her own greatness is assured Tn,
5 unity Of Germany is already an accompishe,
e fact by means OF the war. Wurtemburg
a Bavaria, Saxony aud Baden join in placing
z the imperial crown on the head Of King vii
!, liam. Luxembourg, Alsace and Lorran
G will contribute to the area and strength Of tn
$ new Empire. What more eau Prussia ask
r What less can She expect? With this sh
t realizes her ycarning of centuries. Bismark
r her greatest statesman, sees the completion O
o all his hopes and labors and policies in tn
5 restored O5ermamheim, the united Father
land consummation Of all German dreams an
= prayers