Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-08-17
I" A Raa GanOle0n.D -

EDITOR STAR The universal sympathy of
the American people is with "La Prusse" in
the present war, and yet France never under
took war in which her cause was so Just as this.
Lord Bacon, admitted to be one OF the profound
est philosophers Of any age or nation, has well
taid that the imminence Of danger without q
blow being struck is just cause for war" In
this present emergency Napoleon was states
pan enough to see that the candidacy OF Ho.
henz0llern was direct menace to France. 1t
meant Germany in front, German influence in
the rear. Napoleon had the same right to re-
sent it, and prevent it. that Q general in the
enemy; for liberty has no bitterer enemy than
Bismarck. This Is not q war OF dynasties,
though royal families may be involved therein;
rancs sns sSsUssle ef n tTse%en against slaves
freest government in Europe, and Prussia the
most despotic. The ruler OF France sets up no
blasphemous claim to be King by divine right /,
but submits, not only his own title, but that Of
his son, 10 the approval ct the French people.
IL may do TO tell people who have never been in
France that the vote OF the people is con-
strained, but Frenchmen know that France,
with every throb OF her great heart, endorses
Napoleon, the iberatOr and leader of France.
de has done for France what the Republic did
mighty. Under Louis PHILIPPE and the Re-
publique she was the tool of Europe. Under
Napoleon Third she has been the arblter.
The Prussian war is only the effort Of q
mighty despotic kingdom to crush freedom in
Europe; the triumph Of the Germans means
the IT establishment OF the Bourbons In Spain as
nent, which will perpetuate kingly power and
privileged classes another hundred years. Have
not the European peoples suffered enough from
ancient tyranniss? Does America wish to
because he n a "man Of the people," All men
hss to ss sns for
government shone forth as brilliantly as when
ee took the initiative and declared war against
Prussia, the most despotic government in
Europe. The nisfortunes of actual battle are
no impugnment OF the motives for war, else q
long series Of disasters in our own revolution
might have been an argumant for its injustice.
Napoleon may not be great general, bodily
inirmities and rapidly approaching old age may
prevent him from giving to his troops the cheer
OF his actual presence in the field of battle, but
c1uss may be just though it fails, and profound
craftsmanship may exist tho it be not presently
yistble. The cause Of France is the worlds
dream Of freedom. The cause Of Prussia is the
hope Of aristocrats. France triumphant lie lib
erty, suffrage, equal rights, the people sover
eigns. Prussia victorious is the endorsement OF
Che divine right OF kings. Why do people leave
Germany, aud stay at nome In France? Why is
It that Senator OF the United States, OF Ger
man birth, dare not 60 the Fatherland? Is il
because Napoleon is tyrannical, and Bismarck
generous? Or is II because Prussia stands for
{he desperate and soulless ambition or the
hoblcs. while France represents the common
people!
whs has been the greatest benefactor, Napo-
leon or Bismarck? Il grant that William Is q
dummy while his minister plays the gamel Do
you know what is the "code Napoleon" 1t
abrogates hereditary nobility, it sweeps away
fhe rights Of primogeniture, it parcels out all
France among the people who live in France.
1t gives to the heirs OF q landed proprietor the
same rights of division they would have in
America. Irishmen come to America because
At home they can never own the soil they plough.
Germans emigrate to this country because
hereditary rights brood like mortgage over
the valleys Of the Danube, the Elbe, the Ammer,
the Weser, the Oder. and the Rhine; but mo en-
tail transmits French acres from dtss0lute sres
70 profigate sons. Frenchmen love France be-
cause she is an "alma mater" and not theo-
retic "Fader-land." They love France because
France loves them too well to drive them into
exile. They love France because the Rhone,
the Loire, the Garonne, the Marne, and the
Seine bear their glittering waters through aland
Of freemen, because the heights Of the Jufa, the
Cote d'Or, the Auvergne, the Cevennes, and the
Pyrenees, look down upon people whose rights
are respected, and whose honor is preserved.
~ X. A.