Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-08-16
THE WAR IN EUROPE.

in European affairs. The French started out
with all that dash, (eyau as they call it, for
which they are distinguished, and won an in
considerable victory at Saarbruck, on German
soil The Prussians were less numerous and
excited, apparently, but equally confident, and
consequently in the more recent, and far
more considerable battles of Weissenburg and
Hagenau, they have succeeded in clearing
German territory, and "carrying the war into
Africa" It is not disputed that tho French
fought nobIy, and indicated the national
prestige as far as concerns the personal couf-
age of the French soldiers. 1t is also conceded
that the French small-arm (called the chaSse-
pot is not inferior in effectiveness to the
Prussian needle-gun.
Several questions, however, beyond the mere
progress Of the war, suggest themselves to the
American spectator, which are now being dis
cussed with eagerness by the people and the
press.
LIST. What will be the probable result?
Both parties are fighting with desperation,
and the numbers and resources of both coun-
tries are immense. The French are untitled
in the war sentiment, but are not so united in
regard to its conduct, and the civil adminis>
tration as the Pruss;ans. There has been re-
Gently total change of ministry on the first
serious defeat, and another disaster, it is said,
will endanger the empire, and probably end in
dcposing or seriously threatening NaPoleon's
crown. These symptoms Of q want of stability
and confidence in Paris, it is to be feared will
inoculate the army, and We all know from our
own experience and observation that nothing
is SO fatal to success in battle as want of con-
fdence in their generals on the part of the
soldiers. So much impressed with this idea
was the first Napoleon, that he declared it was
quered Persia, aDd'not his legions, but Caesar
who triumphed at Pharsalia.
We conclude, therefore, that Napoleon
must gain the next fight, or France is humil-
lated and defeated, and the Napoleonic dy-
nasty at an end.
End. With which sido should wo sJmpa-
thise?
When Agesilaus was in Egypt, he sent word
home to Sparta, that civil war had broken ont,
and desired to know with which side he should
take part. The answer retuaued by the SEN
ate was: "For that party which makes for
the interest of Sparta" So in all foreign
wars the national sympathy will follow the
national interest. But in the present war, the
American interest is so remote and question
able that it is impossible to apply the test
T.. Al
Yankee oracles have constituted themselves
champions of civilization and liberty or lib
eralism, and under this flimsy veil, are siding
with the Prussians. Such is the position of
the Radical press of New York, for instance,
and many of the New England States. We of
the South, however, understand the value Of
these catch words, and know that in the
mouths of our Northern friends they mean
about the same as SHORTLY! We divine at
once that the true source of this sympathy is
the fact announced in Baltimore by Carl
Schurz, that the official records show that over
two hundred thousand Dutch were found in
the ranks of the Yankee army during our late
war. If any Southern man can find in this
fact cause for sympathy with Prussia, he is
welcome to his sympathies, and SO arc the
Prussians.
For our part, as far as the cause of the war
is concerned, and the fate of the rulers is in
yolved, we see no reason why We should side
with either party. Civilization and Liberty
have very little to say in the controversy, and
as the Devil is the instigato of strife, we think
it probable the party most in tho wrong, is
most likely to be successful. Fertile French
people, however, as the old traditional friends
of our own country, VIC can but feel deep
sympathy Their national genius and character
we rate higher than the German, and believe
that civilization has moro to hope from
Catholic France, that an Infdel Germany.
We may observe, finally, that the power and
invincbility of Prussia are due to- and should
teach US the value Of certain principles, and
politics. Prominent among these is National
Unity. Hardly second to this,is Constitutional
Order in the civil administration. And lastly,
Popular Education. In both military and
civil point of view, the Prussians are, in the
mass, the best educated people in the world
and hence the most powerful. France, on
the contrary in 1850 had 100000 who
could neither read nor write. knowledge is
power is no less in nations, than, in individ-
uals.