New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-30
Charles Sumner on tile War.

We copy the following Associated Press
report OF the recent speech Of Hon. Charles
Sumner:
BosToN. October 26.-IEon. Charles Sum
ner delivered Il lecture tonight on 1.-The
Duel between France and Germany. with
its Lesson to Civilization He reviewed
the cause and history Of the present war at
length, condemninw France rs he ag-
gressoT, and the Emperor Tor. III addition 10
the continuing ottcnse OF his public life,
three special and objectionable crimes. viz;
Violation of public duty and public faith. dis
loyalty to republican constitutions and this
cruel and causelcsS war. of which he is Iii"
guilty author Let him fall but not the people
of France Cruelty aleady have they cx-
plated their ottense in accepting such il ruler,
not always should they suffer.
After the capitulatiOn of Sedan there was
a double mistake, first on the part OF Ger
many. which as a magnanlmOus conGucroT
should have proposed peace, and SECONDLY
on the part of the Republic. which should
have declined to wage war of imperialism.
The dynasty question has closed, there Was
no longer q preteXt or occasion for war.
and the two parties should have come TO an
understanding. It was now prosecuted for
the humiliation OF France. 1t must be con
demncd.
Mir. Sumner then stated three essential
conditions OF peace: First, the natural re-
Qurements Of Germany, complete guaral-
tees against future oppression. Second, the
natural requirements of France thai the
guarantee. while sufficient. Shall be such -
not to wound ncedlcSsly the sentiments Of
the French people, or offend any principle OF
bubble law. The third. demanded alike by
Justice and humanity, was The establish
mcnt of some rule by which the occurrence
Of such harbarous ducls shall he prevented.
1t will not he enough 10 obtain guaraHt =
for Ge1many-theFe must DC u guaranty Tor
civilization.
On the question o. pecuLiary indemnity.
the speaker counscled moderation to Ger
many. and to tie guaranty Of diSmcmher-
lnent. which could not secure lastin" peace.
he opposed the guaranty OF disarmament.
the razing of French tOrtihcationS, and the
abolition Of the standing army, except that
minimum OF force required tor the purpose
Of police.
Disarmament is enforced on three grounds:
First economy: second, positive advantage
if not necessity; third, assurances OF peace.
No other guarantee promises anything be
yond the accident Of force. Our Republic
has shown how it can be accomplished.
The example OF France would spread; con-
quering Germany could not resist il. The
influence Of other nations would follow.
Popular rights winch are strongest always
in assured peace. would have new triumph>.
and instead OF trial by battle for decision Of
differences between nations there would be
peaceful substitutes, as arbitration, or, it
may be, a congress OF nations, and the
United States Of Europe would appcarabovc
the subsiding waters.
Our own part is simple 1t is. frs. 70
keep out Of the war, and next, 10 stand
firm IN thoscfdeaS which are the life OF the
republic. Peace is our supreme vocation:
to this We are called: by this We succeed:
our example is more than an arm. But not
on this account can we be Indifferent when
human rights are assaiiod OF Republican
constitutions are in question
Garibaldi asks Tor word that viii give
expression Of power. Strange will 1t be
when that is not given to the republic and
to all struggling for human rights. give
the word with the heart on the hips; word
and heart | give. Nor would have my
country forget at any time, III the DISCHARGE
of its transcendant duties. that since the
rule of conduct and Of honor is the same for
nations as for individuals, the greatest ma
ton is that which does most for humanity.