Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-07-20
THE WAR IN EUROPE-FKOM AN
AMERICAN STANDPOINT.

How are men thus turned into "dumb
driven CATTLE" at the beck of two ambi-
tious despots9 We have seen the same
miracle on this virgin soil of America;
but this generation at least will never see
it repeated. In Europe generation sees
a dozen such. Why? Because Europe
is "swarmery." Every inch of ground
is cultivated; grapevine shoots from
every crevice inthe rugged rock even the
hillside is terraced for husbandry; while
cheap labor crowds the multiplied manu-
features. And yet in France are found
half a million idlers who must be drilled
at public cost, lest they swell the Paris
mob to proportions dangerous to all gov
eminent and even to society itself.
Long ago Nautilus propounded the puz-
zle of over-population. Even while he
wrote, Napoleon cut the Gordian knot like
Alexander of old, with the sword. "A
few millions persisted, and for while the
swarmery had breathing room. And so,
wars must come to thin out the rank
growth, famine and pestilence will
do the work.
| With whom shall democratic America
sympathize in the present STRUGGLED The
Frenchman was with us in the Revolu-
ton; the Hessian fought against us. But
we love our brethren alike on either side
of the Rhine, and wish them well What
ideas do the master minds represent
Napoleon and Bismarck The French
are naturally centraIizing people, sacri-
fcing self for the national glory, like the
Roman Manlius. But ever since that
elimination of audacity, the coup detat
of '52, Napoleon's course has become
slowly more iberal-Vitiated to some ex-
tent, it is true, by his dynastic aspirations.
Yet his policy has been one of gradua1
concessions to the people-gradual, be-
cause he would keep control of events.
The, Germans, on the other hand, are G
federative people. Free cities grow and
thrive among them, and local self-goyern
ment has always proved too strong to
permit unifcation. But Bismarck is the
very genius of consolidation. Beneath
his rule free cities disappear and success
sive dependencies melt into Prussia, until
to-day it stands the chiefest kingdom on
earth. But this last attempt to buy up
Prim and annex Spain to the House of
Hohen- Zollern-is too much for patience.
France must meet the issue, or drop like
Austria and Italy into mere appendages
of new European system.
Were 1t not that the time has come to
challenge the growing power of his rival,
Napoleon might have contented himself
by secretly fostering the Spanish pride
that abhors foreign prince. Or, if wise
enough to forget the Bourbons, (by the
world forgot, he might have openly of
fered Don Carlos-their first and only
choice-to the Spanish people, and made
them his grateful allies forever. But he
must measure swords with Bismarck; and
the sooner the better.
Both have long anticipated the strug-
gle. Both are ready. Therefore the war
will be short and sharp. A few months
will determine the question of skill and
strength, unless, indeed, other powers
become involved, and complicate the is
sues.
Austria loves not Prussia, nor France
much more; and she has always proved
an unsatisfactory ally. A large portion of
her forces will be engaged watching Rus
STA, who may seize the opportunity to
crafty his unbridled Eastern passion.
Italy is cypher either way, finding it
ample work to keep the peace at home
England, doubtless, would rather see
France humbled than Prussia; but if the
last named buys Russian aid at the ex-
pense of Turkey, England will side with
''the Sick Man" The plain interest OF
England IS to keep the peace if possible
to keep her restless mill population
busy and content, and her shipping inter-
ests employed-in short to make money
and grow fat on the misfortunes of those
ess wise.
Another motive for England's keeping
the peace-particularly with Francis
the chronic discomfort of ireland, and
the ardor of these unquenchable Fenians.
The afinities of the French and Irish are
traditional. England must be guarded, in
her sympathies for Prussia; else the
French eagles will soon mount the bat
Elements of Queenstown, and hundred
thousand fighting Celts will rally to the
standard.
Sunday the cable said the French
troops had been ordered from Rome Yes
terday's dispatches repeat the rumor less
definitely. An important item, if true
because it would prove Napoleon fool,
thus to offend the religions impressions
of his soldiery on the eve of war. There
fore we prefer to doubt it, till confirmed.
Yet it would be one of his follies. His
present prime minister is another. We
cannot close our eyes to his many errors
as manager, and his frequent misappre
tensions of the French temperament.
The cool, clear headed Bismarck has
evinced superior executive powers amid
the heterogeneous mass of nationality
over which he has extended the name and
prestige of Prussia. Bismarck is, to our
mind, the better statesman. Like his
fGyorite General, Moltke, he has proved
himself politically the Organizer Of vic
tory" But Napoleon has proved himself
not only a statesman but soldier, and,
when they combine in the same person,
the first Napoleon has established the fact
that only Fate can conquer such an one.