The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-16
FRENCH JEALOUSY OF PRUSSIA.

Debate in the Corps LegIslatif-Re-
markable Speech of M. Thiers.
During the debate relative to the army, on
the 30th ult, in the French Corps Leglslatif,
N. Thiers spoke as follows:
beg pardon of the Chamber for intervening
in discussion in which the Minister Of War
has given ample information. do not come
therefore, to enlighten the subject. but to full
I'll the duty Of q good citizen. cannot be
tended liberties that deemed necessary; and
recently, did not fear to vote with minority
of 35 against majority of Zoo. I know how
TO persist In my own opinions; but say to my
honorable friends of the Opposition that they
deceive themselves In this matter. Certainly
the good faith of 10 one Is questioned, but
adure you not to 60 astray on this grave mat
ter. You have done me the honor OF recalling
that was applauded some years ago, but
was applauded without being heard. Laugh
ter. We must submit to the consequences
of the faults we have committed. I hear 1t
constantly asked, 'sWhy not explain the policy
OF Europe ?" But that policy Ia evident. We
wish for peace because war to-day would be
universal, entailing frightful calamlties.
Guilty in the eyes Of civilization, OF nnmanlty,
of history and Of France. would be those VINO
would have the imprudence to occasion II.
But why is peace maintained It is because
YOU are strong. Tires bien tres bie,!1
have always attentively observed the state
of Europe, especially since the unfortunate
events OF 1866. Well, when the Luxembourg
question was raised France was not in posi-.
ton to make herself respected. / did not
always approve the measures taken by Marshal
Neil, but it must be acknowledged that he rem
dered great services to his country, and that
peace Is due to his arrnaments. II you desire
peace. remain strong. Tres bien.] 1t Is ask
ed, why not give the example OF disarmament?
Here It is necessary to reflect. Renectlon is
the base Of the question. hear it said nn-
ceasingly, I'VE are on war footing. ina Inat
is wrong, we are. not on war footing,
and II q minister of war should speak
of disarmament, I would say to him
that he Is imprudent and ignorant. But we
are told, dlsarm and You will be Initiated:
Well when every one In Europe! should
say nearly every one-desires peace, why nave
we no Invitations to disarm? Why has that
echo Do you think 1t Is on account OF Ill
will or idle malice? Not at all.
It is believed that Prussia Is on an extraor-
binary war footing. 1t Is no more true OF heI
than Of ourselves. But no account is taken OF
the past Formerly Prussia had $4,000, 600 o.
men at her disposal. How many has she TO-
day, with the treaties Of alliance, defensive
and offensive, binding on the Southern states
She hos over 4o, ,000,0 GOO.
Do not depy the changes clused by the
events of 1866. In place of federal Germany,
organized for peace, all-powerful for defence,
powerIess for attack, you have Formidable
military power. At its head Is superior man,
who is peaceaple to-day, and not disposed to
disturb the world, but he has 40, 1000 men
at hls control. In the face OF this force we
must have new military organization There IL
patriotism on all the benches OF this Chamber;
but patriotism is not sufficient. To be de-
ceived in this matter would be worse than to
want patriot'em. Tres bien tres 6iea y
I sss in Austria when the war budget was un'
der discussion. Why did Austria, with o cour.
aeeous and devoted srmy, meet with great
reverses II was because imprudent reduc-
tions in the budget bad rendered il impossible
for tho government to maintain the military
force of the country on an ample basis. and
prepars it for emergencies. II is t1ue.1 We
must not commit similar blunders. 10 The
farIlts the government hos made II the past,
let Us not add the faults Of the Opposition.
We will do BID il We disguise the necessities o
the times, il we think that it depends on us
to cause other powers to diaarm For Prussia
tn dssrm. she should not only reduce her OWL
army, but break up the Northern Confeders-
ton, and the treaty with Wurtemburg, Bava-
ria and other States. The Confederation and
the treaties foIm her armament, aud che Will
not despoil herself OF them. To speak Of
drsarmame It is to cherish chimera. Move
ment.1 All the world is on peac, fooilng
but Prussia is doubly 80. am for peace. out
examine closely you will find that with the
nine contingents of ths present law you can
scarcely make sufficient army. would pre-
fer the law of 1881, with seven contngents
OF 100000 men. and hope it will be re-
vived, but under the present circumstances
contingent Of 90 600 is scarcely sufficient.
We must not cherish illusions; it is on that
gravity of the situation, and beg you to dc
your duty as sound patriots aud Frenchmen.
[Applause.
In replying to the comments on this speech,
n. Theirs said:
You talk about civlliz .tiop, philosophy, and
the mutual interests Of trade uniting peoples
to-day. But d. you think that mankind has
changed in three years Did philosophy pre-.
vent The Prussian army from marching on VI,
enna2 And when the occasion presented ltsell
to change the face Of Europe, did it prevent
Prussia from using it2 do homage to the
boldness and coursge OF NJ. de Bismarck, VINO
did not fear, when the moment came, to fall on
Au ;tria. He is to-dav peaceaols, but why
It was asked awhile ago who owned South
Germany; answer the wisest. Behold why
NJ. de bismarck is pacific II he showed the
same amhitloh as three years ago he W1uid
have oil the Sonth against him. since 1t has
become notorious that France no longer coVets
the Rhlne, the natural distinctions which di'
vide Ger many ore reawakeninS; her patriotism
feels assured. Let US then BE- pacific in order
to give the South to Prussia. In the course
OF the debate NJ. TEiers added:
Nothing is moro dreadful than to ,all ma,
ton to arms. Torrents Of blood are thus shed,
because no wars are more destructive and
bloody than conflicts between inexperienced
armies. Why did the American war cost SO
much blood and money! Why did it continue
Eve years? Because it was war of popula
ton against population. 1t would not nave
continued one year if it was between armies
regularly constituted.
nj. GARNER Pages. And Sadowa. :,
Nj. rhiers. Why did Sadowa give the world
an unexampled spectacle All was ready at
Berlin; it was not 30 at Vienna. IL is mus
that empires perish. IL conclusion he sald
Do not forget SadoHa. Let Us not be refused
an army, which we might have done without
before, but which we cannot do without after
Sadowa. Warm appreciation on several
benches.]
Al. Olivier declared that peace was not likely
to he disturbed, and said that the Pleblscltum
rendered negotiation abroad easy. In order tc
render peace certain there should be q cordia
and ardent feeling OF harmony between the