The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-08-01
Prince Leorola's nomination; Spain has

offered to reject it; the Prince himself has
formally Withdrawn; but these ciscum-
stances have had no weight with Napo-
leon, the question OF the throne is forgot-
ten. and Spain is contemptuously mo-
tiored aside, as if the quarrel. begun os-
tensibly on her account, was one with
which she really had nothing to do. Tho
battle now is for territory, not principle.
Napeleon's first stragetic movement was
to deceive Germany, declaring that ho
was only fighting against Prussia, but it
had no effect upon the German population,
whom it was intended to deceive. While
he has been stimulating by artifces tho
angging enthusiasm Of the French peo-
pie, all Germany seems with ono accord
to have rushed to arms. The jealousies,
the political animosities, the restless dis
of an oyerburdoned populace
which have threatened of late the exist
ence Of the German confederation, are all
forgotten, and North and South unite in
common zeal for tho defense Of the Faith
erland and the beloved Rhine. IfPrussia
is able to withstand the French attack she
will become, by this fusion of hostile ele-
ments in the fires Of warlikc ardor, a far
stronger and moro homogeneous power
than she bas ever been before, and the only
remaining obstacles to the consolidation Of
the German nation will bc in fair way Of
removal. The States of South Germany.
whose armies in time Of war are by the
treaties Of 1866 subject to Prussia's COM
mand, have enthusiastically Joined with
the States Of the North. Tho troops Of
Baden, unlor Prussian officers, are man
ming the, Prussian f,rtresses. Bevaris
has placed her $1,000 regular troops in
he field, and called out her reserves,
which will number perhaps 10000 more.
We may expect soon to hear that Wur-
'omoerg, with her little army Of $4,000.
has also Joined tho Pru,sian standard.
Then the whole vast military force Of tho
German States will bc face to face with
the grand armies Of France, and the con-
aict which will follow is likely to be tho
most stupendous ofour times"
Tho Tribune of the 19tb inst, says:
"The absorbing question for The moment
in Europe is the attitude Of the neutral
powers. It seems now to be question Of
only few days, perhaps few hours,
whether the present struggle shall bo
simply trial Of strength between France
md Prussia, or a great continental war.
IN which all tho powers Of Europe are to
be more Or less involved, England, though
not the most important Of the parties to
This difficulty, is the ono toward which
just now attention secms to be princip ally
Any interference by Franco
with tho neutrality Of Belgium will in
volro the immediate Intervention Of Bri-
tain as an active ally Of tho Prussians; ;
for not only is she bound by treaty to de-
tend the inviolability Of Belgian territory.
but she has every reasont, dread tho cx-
pansion of France toward the North Sea,
whence in time Of war the French cruisers
might look down upon tho best part Of
England's commercial marine, and COM
mund her entire trade with the continent.
The sympathcs Of Great Britaio arc con-
scqucut1y strongly with Prussia. and in
spite Of the Englishmau's thrifty predelic-
ton for peace, it is possible that an alli-
anco with King William would even now
be received in London with enthusiasm.
Tho comments OF the London press have
irritatcd the French beyond expression;
and as an excited and irri.atcd Frenchman
is by no means the must reasonable Of
beings, wo need not be'surprlsed to hear
cries Of vengeance against per6dious AL
bion, and vague threats, such as reach us
in to-day's dispatches, Of a possible tres
pass upon Belgian soil. We do not be-
lisvc, however, that tho peace between
France and England is as yet seriously en-
dangercd. France is not anxious to pre-
cipitate general war, which would surely
follow il the British entered the contest,
and moreover will pause long before sho
destroys her present naval superiority By
calling out The superb fleet Of the only
power which she has reason to fear on
the sea. England. on tho other hand, BY
remaining neutral in The impending con :
aict, will reap enormous peauniary profit
rs the commercial agent Of all the unfor.
tunate belligerents.
Russia, il she takes any part at all in
the war, will side with Prussia, but a,
nresent she seens disposed to husband