New-York tribune., 1870-09-06
THE CRISIS.

Never, within the last half century, has
single journal been the messenger of such an
immense budget of startling intelligence as
the issue of THE TRIBUNE which we
spread before our readers this morn
ing. The great results which were
secured when Napoleon laid down his
claring themselves with a rapidity at which
Europe stands bewildered In France, the ut
ter ruin of imperialism has come about with a
haste only equaled by the quick campaign, in
which the Germans have beaten the Imperial
armies. The defeat at Sedan has been followed
in single day by the complete annihilation
of the system of military despotism which has
been for half a generation the standing menace
of the continent. Paralyzed at first by the dis
aster, the Ministry, chosen for its supposed
strength, seems TO have made one feeble effort
to conceal the truth, and then vanished.
The people, furious with anger at the Govern
mcnt which has failed them in the moment Of
danger yet so far as we have now learned
without that headlong passion which in former
years has stained the revolutions of France,
have risen and banished NapOleonism from
France. They have filled the streets with
cries of Vire la RfpuJhque! and D6chfonce !
to the Empire, invaded the Tuileries, torn
down the insignia of Napoleon, disarmed the
police, suppressed the Senate, dissolved the
Corps L6gislatif, and borne the imprisoned Rad
zeal RoChefort in triumph from the gaOl to the
Hotel de Vile. Soldiers are fratcrnizing openly
with the populace. The National Guard, called
out to prevent violence, is Enthusiastically in
sympathy with the popular movement. A rev.
olution has been accomplished, thus far with
out bloOdshed, almost without disorder, and
Paris, so much dreaded in political crises,
seems to have been actuated singy by
a determination to get rid of an in
capable despot, and to expel the
Germans from the soil of France. We cannot
yet feel certain that the Republic, proclaimed
with so much enthusiasm, is really established,
though for the sake of France and civilization
in general we earnestly trust that it may be !;
hut the country has yet to pass through
humiliatiOns and perhaps to suffer fresh mill
tary disasters, and the party under whose rule
these misfortunes come must bear the brunt
of the popular bitterness.
The great battles at Beaumont and Sedan,
which led to these stupendOus changes in
France, are the subject of narrative from our
special correspondent more complete than any
similar account ever transmitted by ocean tel
egraph to any newspaper in the world. The
same correspondent sends us an authentic ex-
planation of the purposes of Count Bismarck in
the hour Of victory, and tells for
the first time what the Prussians mean
to do with their triumph. Alsace and
Lorraine are not to be separated from
France; Prussia does not coyet provinces
which would never be satisfied or loyal under
her domination but Metz and Strasbourg, the
gateways of the empire, are to be held by the
victor as pledges of peace. The significance
of such demand we need not point out With
these two fortresses in her hand, Prussia will
have France almost at her mercy.
And now comes a rumor from Florence,
credible but not perfectly authenticated that
Italy has begun to play her part in the great
European transformation, and announced her
intention of taking immediate possession of
Rome. The completion of Italian and German
unity may thus be celebrated together, the
coronation of two great nationalities be SOL
emnized with the downfall of the despOtic
power which has been their persistent enemy.