Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-11-02
The Prospect of Peace.

Notwithstanding the prevailing rumors Of
a week or two past, there seems to be no
ground for the anticipation Of immediate
peace. The Prussiaus are gradually bring
ing central and northern France under their
arms. One after another Of the large towns
are yielding to their demand almost without
blow. The preparations for tho lombard
raent Of Paris are still in progress, though
from the nature Of the case they must be
slow. Already hundred and thirty seige
guns are in position and twouly more are to
be placed before the FIRE opens upon the de-
voted city. To suppose that the 'ortIes Of
the Parsians or the FIRE Of the forts do any.
thing more than Slightly delay the German
operation, is contrary to all reliable intelli.
geucc. Thus far we hear only Of what France
is going to do. There is reason TO fear that
the Prussians will have done all they intend
to do before France fairlygets ready, When
ever France finds out the hopelessuess of the
struggle aud indicates her desire for peace
and her willingness to accede to terms from
Prussia, that She would only have been too
willing to dictate to her, there will be no
difficulty in arranging the matter.
But we fear that France will not reach
this point for some time. Her ahlest militia
ny leaders, like Bazaine, Mcmahon aud Tro-
ohu, have reached it, but the selGcousutuiod
committee who call themselves a Republic
arc too much engaged in firing the popular
heart aud preserving the usurrod power oil
which peace would rob them, to exercise even
ordinary judgment Thus far The Prussian'
show great moderation, and seem TO posses,
all the requisites for future success. The
French can make no attemptto relieve either
Blzaine or Paris. Everything indicates the
speedy captulatiou of the former, and if thl
war goes on, nothing can prevent the sunen
der Of the latter. 1t is a question Of time
and Paris must yield even if a gun is mo-
aimed at her or bomb exploded in ber
streets.
For the present the obstacle in the way o
peace is the false estimate Of tho situation il
the minds Of the people. They have beef
assured Of constant successes and yictorie
aud their patriotism has been played upon b.
artfa leaders until they are ready to max
further sacrifices. When they aud ont tha
their sacrifices are hopeless they should exac
strict account of their leaders We wisl
we might hope that they would, but in hi
world it seems to be the law, that the peopl
should be hoodwinked and then driven b.
emperors or committees to their own destruc
ton. They are led to the shambIes and ar
as dumb as sheep. Once inawhile they ope
their eyes and are scared at what they sec am
in a fury as blind as their submission, the
seize and shake the pillars Of society and 4,
molish all existing order, and then the skill
full leaders again get the reius into their hand
and replace re-aetionary revolutionary an
archy with the iron rule Of despotism. 4
artificial popular feeling, created and manE
ulated by such Missionaries as Hugo and Favr
and Gambetta, is now what stands in the wa
of peace. 1t may yet be necessary for Pru.
STA to create The government with which
eau negotiate The present committee do nc
seem disposed to convoke the assembly no