The New York herald., 1870-09-01
WAR FEELING I'm THE CITY.
Tho Sentiments OF Our Citizens Epitomized-
What the French. German. Irish and Ma
tive Americans Think Of the Struggle,
and What They Hope tor.

Ever since the news Of the battle of woerth was
Mashed across The Atlantic there has been very little
excitement IN The city. But feeling Of deep
neutrality-suspicious. no less intense than that which
agitatcd us In those moments when our republic
seemed t0ttering under the blows OF the rebel
armies and the diplomatic mining OF our hereditary
enemies the English-has pervaded the public mind.
Perhaps expectancy would be a better word than
anxiety, for, happily, our country Is not Immediately
concerned in the struggle OF the military Titans OF
Europe; but stn the constantly arriving and most
unreliable kilograms which are sent US beget some
thing OF that feeling which, If not anxiety Is closely
akin ,o IT, Were it not for the fact that the cable
brings 10 the blood stained fields upon which
the contending hosts are wrestling for the mastery.
II is quite possible that onr citizens would be moved
very little 10y the sad echo OF
TIN EUROPEAN STRUGGLE.
But In few hours, as WERE OF the battle field OF
France we cannot but feel profound and increas-
ing interest In the contest
The population OF this city Is made upsof so many
and varied classes and nationalifies that great
divergence OF views on tho cupability OF the repre-
sentatves OF The two nations now IN deadly conflict
Is but natural. Bnt 1t matter OF extreme regret
that much rancorous feelng should enter into
The discussion OF this subject has been already ex.
hbed. So hot and enthusiastic are the adherents
Of King william and OF France that 1t Is scarcely
possible for any impartial person to obtain pro-
per estimate OF the prevailing opinion of the
people Of tins metropolis. In times OF political ex-
ciement 1t IL customary to quote in partisan papers,
the opinions OF travellers railroad trains and on
would he utterly absurd to deal In tins picayune
way with the sentiment OF the New York public on
the Franco Prussian war; Its causes effects and pro-
bable results This IS cosmopolitan population,
composed OF different nationattes and diverse
races, having opposite opinions on almost every sub
ject foreign TO Their own immediate and apparent
interests. IN almost every group To be found in
hotels or other public places engaged IN the discus
sion of the great foplc OF conversation, men Will be
found who, whIle uniting on almost every question
Policy or THE UNITED STATES,
foreign or domestic, are violently opposed, on the
question OF the right or wrong OF the contest be-
tween France and her powerful antagonist To
interview, any of these groups to take the opin-
ion OF individuals or to give the expression OF or
ganized bodies az Indicating public opinion, would
be a manifest absurtIity.
the affairs Of two or The most powerful nations Of
Europe, when absouism and the divine right OF
thousands die thai a few may live and reign by
"the grace OF God,n that the opinion OF the great
Empire Clty OF tins free republic should be made
known. This can only he done by eptomiZing the
views Of our citizens as they find expression In the
press the pulpit, the store the hotels, aud on the
streets
OF the conflict has been clear and consistent from
tae beginning. Mindful OF the fact that the present
King ol Prussia Is and has been the most deter
mined Zoe OF Tree governments IN Europe, and that
II successful In TINS war, he would crush beneath
the armed heel OF military power every spark from
the fire OF German freedom, they still believe that
with the triumph OF the Prussian arms would come
the realization OF their dream--the thorough and
complete union OF German nationaes That the
republic would speedily follow they also believe
WIN the strength OF belief which only Germans
tinet who rules Prussia and the abs0lutists'
idea OF his willy Minister they regard
useful than otherwise at this crisis but destined
to give way before the demonstration of the people
sure 10 oIiOw the declaration OF peace. They have
but one idea now, ana that Is, the crushing out or
French ambitious designs and the integrity OF Ger
man territory. All else ~ he'd In abeyance, though
not Tor "A moment forgotten. When a German sings
ms German song, drinks 10 the triumph OF Prussia
and the armies OF Faheraud it IL with the reserva-
ton that the cruel war Is ovcrr the reign of
Kong William and Bismarck win be over too. In
support OF this view II is worthy OF mention that all
the money raised in this CITY TO date has been for
the German wounded and not to swell the Prusslan
treasury.
WHAT THE FRENCH SAY
B0iiing over win entltisas sm for Ia belle France
and ANXIOUS TO prevent what all true Frencnmen
would consider lasting disgrace the permanent
occupation OF any part or the soil or France
by "A foreign foe the French residents In our midst
and all those VINO have sworn allegiance to the con-
stituton Of our great republic most determined
in their opinion ofIthe essy OF curDing Prussian
ambition by French bayoncts. They believe that
whatever the merits or dement's of the present Ma
poleon may be- he is but carrying the legitimate
aspirations OF the people who called him TO rule over
them; That sooner or later r. ssia would have TO be
met on the Rhlne and thrown back on her proper
boundaries. That France should have pre-
pODdcratng voice In the affairs OF Europe they
religlOusly believe. An Overshadowing great
military Power on her border would be per-
petual menace 10 France and continual source
Of trouble. The question OF NapoleOn's dynasty IL
not discussed. France. whether within the walls OF
PARIS on the battle Held, or as represented among
foreign nations, is Tor France, aud France only.
crowned heads may rise ana fail but the faith or
Frcnchmcn is In the people OF France. The success
of the Prussan armies IN the present struggle has
gwen this intense patriotic feeling most
singular development. wonderful unanmity
prevails among all classes OF Frenchmen: ali
are FOR France ana for Bonapartes
B0urbons, Oreanists or reds, while the country
~ declared IN danger. And TINS feeling IL
no more apparent IN Paris than 1t ia here Let
the PrussIans be driven rom the soil OF