Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-09-20
The Franco.Prussian War-A Com
parison.

1t is the sacred duty Of the press
in the United States to maintain the
cause Of republican freedom, wherev-
or an attempt, however doubtful, is
made to establish it. When Napo-
lean III, without any provocation
but aspiringt to aggrandize and perpc-
tuate his dynasty by surrounding it
with the halo Of military glory de-
clared war against Prussia, we were
astonished to observe how instantly.
zealously, unanimously, the old anti
war pro-slavery democracy invited
this Observation-Disclosures" and modern
Empire jobber and contractor, Louis
Napoleon, and his admirers, into full
fellowship witt the party. They
arc not opposed to Liood letting in
the abstract. There is something
as mysterious and inoxplicable and
perhaps as mechanical and irresisti-
bic in moral and political aflinities as
exists. in material and chemical af-
iinities and attractions. Both par
ties, republican and democratic,
showed thoir preference with sud
denness that proved their action and
concert could not be the cool result
Of reason and Judgment. Each par
ty was led by instinct that never
errs. The democratic party reor-
ganized in the hands of Napoleon the
very flag, or fac simae of 1T, which
the republican administration had
rent into shreds in the United States,
when held aloft by Jefferson Davis.
That flag symbolized caste and con-
quest, tho idolatry Of CUsarism, the
supremacy Of brute force degrade
ton, ignorance and labor for the
many, and thrones, knowledge, pow
or and hereditary state for the few.
With equal and instantaneous sa-
gacity, the republican party recog-
nlzed in Prussia the patron and ex-
amplar of universal education and
popular freedom. No dogma of in
talllbility paralyzes her religious
thought and converts free inquiry
into blasphemy against God and
Plus IL, Though limited monar-
chy, there is no censorship over the
press, and no penalties or imprison-
ment check the free advocacy OF the
extremist republican dogmas.
History seemed to be repeating it.
self, and the armed conspiracy
against popular institutions and free
dom which failed with us, was reviv-
Ell IN Europe under the auspices of
the Bonaparte dynasty. The same
men and party who vauntingly as
sured us before hand of the dread
invlncibility Of the Southern chival-
ry, predicted the success of the
French arms, and Napoleon's path
through Europe in their imagination
was already Illuminated by repeated
victories.
Rebel leaders, Joe Johnson and
General Jordan of Cuban fame. a few
weeks ago gave the people the ad-
vantage OF their judgment. They
measure national power by the mag
nitude and discipline OF armies. by
the abundance and perfection Of war
like tools and machinery, leaving out
of view the stronger clements of
character, intelligence and the essen
tial Justice of the issue involved in
the contest, which enlists the svmpa-
thy Of the world in itsI behalf. Reb-
el soldiers captured land paroed by
General Grant, clamored for pass
ports and transportation to French
territory to fight against q people
where thrift, industry and education
al institutions and progress so near
ly resembled. those of the loyal States.
1t was our struggle revived in En-
rope; not only the underlying princi-
Piles, but the events of the war are
strangely alike. Davis and Napole-
on meet like fate-both captives
each too mean and cowardly to es-
cape tue worlds scorn in soldiers
grave. The financial system also
testifies to the identity of the issues
involved, and national securities SYM
pathize with Prussian successes as
they did with Union victories.
Well, the republican party amend |
cd its platform with Prussian revo-