Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-07-26
Republican County Convention.
The Coming Conflict in Europe,

to be war IN Europe. 1t cannot be
well avoided now. How general it
may become it is of course impossible
yet to determine. We had at first
supposed that it might be confined to
France and Prussia, but later news,
and each day strengthens US in it, goes
to show that it will be upon a much
grander scale than we had anticipated.
France made formal declaration of
war against Prussia, Friday the 18th
inst, when the armies OF both nations
were Immediately put in motion for
the Rhine-France now having $780,
600 soldiers on the banks Of that riv.
err, while Prussia has an immense body
Of troops in occupancy French soil. Up
to this time, however, no blood has
been shed. As matter of course all
Europe is agitated, and feeling runs
high in favor of one side or other, tho
it is probable that this feeling mainly
takes the form of self-interest, and
wonderment at the part each nation
atty may be called upon to play or
to suffer in the bloody drama. In
territory so small as Europe and con-
tanning so different kingdoms and peo-
pies; being so interlocked as they are
with each other by the ties of trade
and commerce, it will be simply I'M
possible for any one of them not to
feel the shock in every department of
business. As natural consequence
each nationality will feel an interest in
ending the struggle, affecting as it
will the pocket Of every nabob and
the stomach Of every poor laborer,
which latter class are in Europe count
cd by millions. These will be the in
terestcd spectators in the struggle
Italy is calling out her reserve forces,
ostensibly as a precautionary meas
ure, though there is reported ALI.
ance between it and France. Austria
Is to join France against Prussia, says
the cable, which is no more than we
supposed she would do, meanness in
all things being the Unborn character.
istic of everything pertaining to that
power. With all these powers in a
death hug, England and Russia cannot
we'll remain idle spectators, or at leas
we think they will not. Russia long
known desire to carve up Turkey and
annex to its dominions the empire of
the Moslem, and thus give her an IN
disputed outlet to the Mediterranean
may so get the better of her desire fol-
justice that she will attempt to carry
out her project while the rest of Eu
rope are so engaged that it canno
thwart her. Such an event as we art
predicting is Russia's opportunity.
Napoleon is the sole cause of all the
trouble. But for him the peace Of
Europe would to day be guaranteed
Singly and alone he has thrown fire
brand among the nations that it may
take centuries to quench, and whose
evil effects may never be entirely
erased. Maliciously and without
cause he has done this. With nc
motive other than ambition or Ions
harbored revenge, he has precipitateC
the crisis. War in any case is al
event to be deplored, calamity Il
be avoided by every means consisten
with national honor; but if in tn,
present instance war shall teach Ma
poleon and the French people tina
there is power in Europe potent en-
ough to defeat him and roll back tn
tide of blood to the very doors Of hi
own proud capital, we shall feel tina
the struggle will not have been il
vain.
We doubt if any war was ever dc
clared by so great power on so triy
ial pretexts as those given by Franc
for its attack upon Prussia, and it j
pleasant to know that the latter ha
the sympathies of every republican i
Europe, while America will Of cours
give her the aid of its best wishes 70
her success, and many Germa
speaking resident among US will +,
turn to defend his Faderland."
The invitation for Prince Leopol
to be a candidate for the SPANS
throne has really nothing to do wit
Napoleon's determination to fig b
Prussia. Leopold refuses to be
candidate, but this is not satisfactor
He asks Prussia to promise that nc
Their he nor any other German primo
shall ever be a candidate for it,
What nation having spark Of hone
would promise that? Neither has Il
reported insult offered to the FrenC
minister anything to do with Napol
on's reasons. He must offer some c
cuse for conduct so shameful, and
these are the best he has, he Civ
them. France can never forget t
drubbing she received a. Waterlc
where Blucher-a Prussian general
came to the relief of Wellington
time to save him from the very ja'
of defeat-sending Napoleon and
battle Scared veterans flying in CT
fusion from the field. That was
offence which sank deep in the Frer
heart, and cannot be forgiven till b.
England and Prussia are humbled
the prowess Of her arms. May Il
have long to wait. We hope never
hear that the victors of gadowa b,