Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-27
JUSTICE TO FRANCE.

Edisr .Tor.-Now that the fair IN our city for
the benefit of the German wounded has closed,
with a success which reflects credit upon the
philanthropy OF all engaged in the enterprise,
there can be no misconstruction of the intest of
the remarks which the occasion seems to de-
mand.
1t IL, probably, no exaggeration to state that,
at the breaking out OF the war now unhappily
pending between France and Germany, the
sympathies of fully nine-tenths OF the Ameri-
can people were with Prussia, because they felt
that Prussia had no other course to pursue than
accept the issue which the unprincipled En-
perof OF France had so unnecessarily demand
ed. They felt that he had played his last politi-
cal csrd-had staked his personal ambition with
little, II any, care for the true welfare OF his
subjects-and had lost, irretrieysbly lost, the
game, and must abide the result. The King of
Prussia and his Prime Minister frequently took
occasion to assure his people and TO impress
upon the mind OF the world that they were not
warning against the French people, but against
The French were led into the struggle, as
We know, unwillingly; but once in, their ma
uonal pride was touched, aud they fought
oravely and well. Defeat came. and with II q
revolution in their form OF government. A re-
public was proclaimed, and the most eminent
men OF the land--nen known to the world As
honored and tried statesmen-were appointed
as provisional sficArs. Among their very first
acts was q declaration Of their desire for peace;
peace such 90 any honorable, hight toned nation
branch" thus extended has been rejected, aud
their proposal returned sealed with the blood of
hundreds OF Thousands Of brave men!
Ihe americas people, Who are far beyond the
din and smoke and consequent excitement OF
the ARRAY, reason out the cause of the continu-
ance of the struggle, aud the conclusion Is ire
sisoble That Il IS not cd9ed IN the interest Of hn-
manity or Of free 9oeersment; that kings have
natural distate for people every enc OF whom
Is sovereign, especially when that people hap
pen to be inconveniently near; or, in other
ia 10 Hvrlo oATfN H.
il they can, to crash out TIE young repsblic Ii is
true, there may be some nice distinctions In in
ternatonal law. a. to whether the new govern
no doubt that all ''ifs' and " butsn and sands"
would coon be cast aside IL the inclination
prompted, and terms for peace would be agreed
upon alike honorAble to both parties.
This Impression Is becoming so general here
that 1t has created q resolution in public senu
ment, and the tide OF sympathy in favor Of the
Ger is loving rapidly in the opposite dIee
g 10 clearly demonstrated by the up-heaving Of
the masses but few nights ago in the city Of
London, when at least p, 600 freemen dare de-
clare their preference for a republic across the
recognition.
Can Americans forget the everlasting obliga-
and personal aid they rendered them in tseiy
Revolutionary struggle? 1t Is but fair to believe
that her aim and intention is as pure and stead
fast as theirs was, and give her at least the con-
ISOLATION Of brothers hearty welcome in the
new role she has assumed in the family of
nations. Let not their public men mistake the
pulse OF thu people and do as q well.known and
usually progressive member OF Congress did in
Boston on the 10Th inst, when he was announced
to deliver lecture on the "Franco- German
question: yield "to the influence Of many Of
his friends % who knew that his sympathies
were with France" and decide not 20 f.speak
bis piece" at ALL Political parties rs such in
this country-which was the pressure in this
instance-should have nothing whatever to do
with questions Of this kind 1t belongs exclusive.
ly to the people en- mdsss without line or demar-
cation, and they will exercise 1t with their usual
Probably their most sensitive point is the
prospect OF Paris being bombarded and de-
stroyed. They feel that Paris belongs not to
France alone, but to the whole tcorld, which
owes to it more than any other city now exist
/ ing, the pleasures attending upon the gratifica-
ton OF the most refined tastes in the arts
sciences, music and the artistic ekiIl which
'.makes thing Of beauty a joy forever" Nor
do they fail to remember TIA religious freedom
and equality Is guaranteed there to all, in a
manner no where equalled in Europe, England
not even excepted Prompted by these feelings
they think that Paris at least ought and should
be spared the fate which threatens her, and the
powers that De proclaim liberty throughout
the land and to the inhabitants thereof"
Everywhere in the country the people have
manifested their appreciation of the Germans,
whom they recognize as the very best foreign
element in their midst, and have given freely
towards the care of their wounded and the sup
port OF their families in FatherIand. This was
Iust and In all respects proper. They ask now
tor like tribute in behalf Of su ffering bleeding
generous France, to close the wounds and man
tie with a smile her now beclouded and once
Let committees be formed at once in every
city, town, and hamlet in every State of the
Union, to collect fund which will make PLAID
forever the heart Of Americas old friend and
ally, France, while al the same time ii will re-
move any lingering doubt-always attending the
unsuccessf ul-of the sympathy and affection of
the senior republic Of America for the Junior
republic of Europe. SKNr-OCCAsIoSAL