The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-04
The Surrender Of NapoIcon-The Empire
GOne-Thc Repablic.

been defeated. The remains OF his brave
army are prisoners Of war. Napoleon has
surrendered in person to King William. The
presumption here is that Bazaine has captu-
lated. Between the Prussian army and Paris
there is nothing in the shape Of opposition.
Not since the newspaper became an estab-
lished institution has the morning press
poured upon the reading public such mass
of mighty intelligence.
| Since the 18th of July--some six weeks
ago-what mighty events have taken place
What sweeping changes have been accom-
plished How the mighty have fallen and
tie proud been laid low! On the above date
France declared war against Prussia. Why?
Because Prussia would not bow the knee and
ANONYMOUSLY play the part of most obedient
servant to the Emperor Napoleon A Hohen-
zollern prince had been named for
the throne Of Spain. France was affronted
and the name was withdrawn. But
Napoleon was not satisfied. King William
was asked to pledge himself and his govern
ment to the effect that no Prussan prince
should ever be allowed to be candidate for
the Spanish throne. This King William and
his Ministers refused to do. Prussia felt in
suited and indignant. All Germany shared
the feelings Of Prussia 1t was not Prussia
that was insulted--it was the whole Father
land. On the 18th of July Napoleon declared
war against Prussia. Prussia was ready-all
Germany was ready. 1t was felt that the
cause of war was miserable pretext, that the
real cause OF war was the humiliation of the
German people, the perpetuation of the dis
union OF Fatherland. Bavarians and Wiirtem-
bergers and Badenites, Hessians, Hanoverians,
Saxons rushed into the field with quite as
much enthusiasm as the Prussians themselves.
All over Germany, in the ancient free towns
as well in the monarchcal centres, the
people were as furious for war as were the
princes. On the 9th day of August the Ger
man and French forces came into contact:
and Saarbruck and Wissembourg and Woerth
revealed the superior spirit of the German
soldiery and the superior skill of the German
officers. Since the 9th of August the
fighting, as all our readers know. has been
frequent, generally on large scale and always
severe and bloody Once we are in full
possession of the details of the battles at
Gravelotte and of the battles which have
been fought since Tuesday last, it will, unless
we greatly mistake be found that the sacrifice
of human life has been on scale Of magnitude
totally without precedent If France does not
now accept defeat she ought, for never before
did any nation sustain a series of defeats so
complete and disastrous. One of her proudest
armies has been destroyed or made captive.
The only other army of any consequence is
that of Bazaine. and the presumption is that
while we write that once magnificent army has
also succumbed. And then Napoleon--the
proud the arrogant Emperor, the man who
would dictate to Europe, the man who is
responsible for all this fearful slaughter, the
man whose name thousands Of widows and
fatherless children viii execrate---is
prisoner in the hands of his royal brother!
What magnificent six weeks work Csn
we wonder that Prussia that Germany is
jubilant? Can we wonder that, in spite of
some useless demonstration to the contrary,
France is sitting in dust and ashes?
question is not easy to answer. Tn the person
of the Emperor King William has found mag
nificent prize. 1t is not to be denied, however,
that the prize may by and by prove big
source of trouble. To give him liberty will
certainly be dangerous. To retain him in
disquietude. We know what Great Britain
did with the First Napoleon. We know too
what Charles the Fifth did with another
French monarch, Francis the First, whose
name is lastingly associated with the ''Field
of the Cloth Of Gold" The First Napoleon
unanimously restored to his liberty and to his
throne. Which fate is in store for Napoleon
the Third? II will be well to leave this ques-
ton unanswered for the present. Much as we
blame Napoleon for this war we would not
heap abuse upon him now that he has fallen
from his high estate. We cannot forget his
many merits. If, as the result has proved,
the empire has been hollow institution. it
has at least been strong; and France for
twenty years has basked 10 prosperity for
which Napoleon is mainly to be credited. His
star has gone down; but we must not allow
ourselves to be deceived into the belief that
the French people will soon forget the House
of Bonaparte. Death may soon relieve the
fallen Emperor Of bis cares; but if his unior-
tunate son is spared, distracted France at some
future time may rally around him as a de-
Iiverer The empire is dear to the French
people il is necessarily associated with the
House Of Bona parte and although it may pass
away for the present ii is not impossible that
it will reappear in pride and spendor under
fourth Napoleon.
What Is to be the fate Of France? 1t is not
oor opin;nn tbot prussia will no Irnnacessariju