The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-25


finest cities in the world.
American Opinion on tho War In Europe.
Among all the host Of articles that have
been written concerning the conflict that
threatens to spread slaughter and devastation
throughout Europe, few, if any, have treated
Of American opinion on the subject, that IS TO
say, Of the views held by our fellow citizens,
ito the manner born" as contradistinguished
from those Of foreign extraction. 1t is almost
needless to repeat that the entire mass OF the
German race among US are enthusiastically
for, Fatherland. The exceptions that exist
are 80 few and feeble as merely to prove the
rule. They feel that German unity 10 menaced,
and that with it the strength, consideration
and renown of the old land beyond the seas
are at stake. Hence they respond to the appeal
with an alacrity and ardor that reminds US OF
that uprising Of great nation" which we
beheld here in 1861 aud 1862. Were these
fiery Tedtons beyond the seas, at this moment
as they are here, they would contribute
powerful army and millions of thaIers at once
to the cause of King William.
On the other hand, the French population,
in all our leading cities and wherever we can
hear Of them, are extremely quiet, although
the French journals published in this city daily
extol the prowess of the armies and fleets at
home, and recall the warlike memories Of the
old republic and of the Napoleonic dynasty.
The greater number of our French residents
naturally cling to their own tricolor and be-
lieve in the complete invinciblity of the Gallo
legions; but there are not few to whom the
bread of exile has been 80 bitter that they can
not identify the ruling powers of France with
the cause Of the nation. Others, again, like
NJ isFs, NJ Jules I:;.e and thar thai. .sans
in the Corps Legislatif fear disaster, owing to
the condition of the labor question at home,
the drought, the ruined crops and the contra
dictory attitude Of France in Italy. However,
an important meeting to be held to-night at
| Delmonicos by the French denizens Of New
York, will more thoroughly enlighten us on
press have yet done.
The Irish people in America are mainly in
clined to sympathizs with the French position
in the opening war for several reasons.
''Pat's just the boy for fghting," and the
warlike, effervescent spirit of the Gaul suits
him better than the quieter and more peaceful
disposition of the Teuton. Again, France
has, for time immemorial, been seemingly the
most natural and nearest ally Of any struggle
that Ireland might make for independence.
How delusive this idea has heretofore proven
it is not for us now to discuss; but there are
thousands alive in our city who can distinctly
remember the cheers that went up in favor Of
Russian success in the Crimea.o Yet France
and England were sworn allies there, and the
entente cordiale has never yet been broken.
The wiles of gray old-time diplomacy are
often too deep for the comprehension of an
impulsIve, warm-hearted people. Irish rAr,,h-
lcans and French imperialists would make a
happy family, and we greatly fear that it would
be only ''the hereditary foe" that would do the
laughing. ''Ireland's opportunity" is in
| America and with America, in the hour when
free and just government here shall have SO
strengthened our institutions and made trans
cendantly bright our example that ours shall
be preponderating and controlling Power in
| the world. Then fleets and armies will be
virtually abandoned, and the force of law and
justice, of religion and truth, will give oppor-
tunity for the righting of every wrong and the
elevation of every oppressed people.
| And here we come to legitimate American
| opinion, which believes that it discovers in
this war the dawn of better day for Europe,
although the morn be canopied with brooding
clouds and darkness. Americans, generally,
while some turn to their French and others to
their German partners in business or COM
panions in social life, behold in King William
and his counsellor, Bismarck instruments of
Providence to bring about the political and
commercial unity of a grand people hitherto
divided and discordant. The common perils
and trials Of war will cement the confederation
which the petty and selfish interests of local
trade still jeopardized, while, on the other
hand, the tremendous nature of the struggle
will compel the German monarch and states
man to come nearer to the people and to aban-
don forever their lurking prediction for
C@sarism. In very truth, the two most
formidable representatives of iron-handed mill
tary power are to be dashed together and mutu-
ally broken 50 Tar as their ultra -moparchical
tendencies are concerned France can never
SO completely PROSTATE Germany or Germany
so PROSTATE France as that either may venture
to dream of universal military domination.
Both must count with the people, for the people
and by the people, and the ruler who most sim
cerely and effectually does that will win the
day. The triumph of the peoples champion
is the American idea of this wars resultant
what Frenchman, German, Irishman or Scan
dinavian prays for less or will fight for more /?