The New York herald., 1870-07-16

Companies-The Foreign Con-
sulates- The Prusgian Con-
sui General and His
Instructions.
Since the Union army compelled the capituation
Of General Lee. with his disorganized and badly
besten forces In April 1885, New York has been over
whelIned by no such ;idings as those which flashed
over the cable yesterday at noon, prOclaimng that
at ten minutes past two o'clock France had spoken
for war. New York was filed with exultaton.
Dispatches from Washington came pouring in an
nouncing that the Napole0nic menace had been re-
ceived IN the House of Representatives with pro.
found sensation. The afternoon papers discussed
the position and crisis with nippant periods, and
men went around on the eve OF
COSMOPOLITAN DISASTER
with light phrases and feathery jokes. Singulary
in 1855 is now preceding the gigantic
struggle between the two mIghtiest Pow
ers OF Europe In the summer of 1870,
and this kind sOlicltude the part OF America
the misery OF the Quarrelling dynasties OF the Old
World seemed TO be sort Of entertainment those
who read the vOuminOus dispatches and eagerly
watched for the latest intelligence.
Setting aside that extremely small body OF hunani
tarians who always labor for peace, and the highly
respectable body OF broadbrlms, there Is no doubt
that yesterdays doings abroad were subject of
congratulatlon In most every household.
THE LONG GLOOM OF FACES
Of 1861 when the pail OF, war hung over the young
administration OF President Lincoln, was nowhere
to be seen. An ocean separated America from the
battle field to be, and people were happy-remark-
ably contented. Upon applying the 1nger to the
popular pulse 1t found to beat swifer than for
previous years. and all themes social, political and
financial, were absorbed In the capillary SUBJECT of
the French Prussian contest.
THE HUGE SPONGE OF AGITATION
absorbed every soluble subject from mems mouths.
and the public at large belched forth surplus OF
martial froth which has been accommodating since
Grant became victor at Appomatox.
81, sir am for France" said an excited publicist
before the HERALD bulletin.
"And l, sir, am for Prussia" was the reply of
No. g. as he read the thrilling kilograms from Paris
Talk thickened. The nations were discussed, men
argued about the military establishments Of the con-
tending Powers, and, as every third man one can
meet on Broadway has been a brgadier general in
the federal army, integers decimals field fortitca-
ti0ns and strategic movements were not sparingly
indulged.
If Napoleon could have only taken advantage Of
the military science developed yesterday before twt
light In this city he could
THRASH PRUSSIA WITHOUT ARMS
munitions. men or brains The drift Of the popular
current was for France. On question OF nationality
the people generally In feeling Of bitterness to-
ward England, and feeling OF admiration for the
earliest ally Of the United States and the nome Of
Rochambeau and Lafayette, sided with the second
empire. Excited groups praised the military ardor
OF the French;
TIE GENIUS OF NAPOLEON ILL.,.
bis bold, aggressive policy toward the INLAND
powers; his naughty demeanOr toward Bismarck and
King William; his distinguished capacity as o
statesman and savant; his progressive and produc
tive rule in France, and his defiant mastery and
uudacoas bravery in the face OF the combined
powers Of the continent; his career as prisoner
in Ham, as an aayesasarer n sS...v-,ca. as ptes
dent OF the republic, and finally his success In ag
or,.' nlz.ng his own family were. all mentioned In
spirit OF c0ni...-
sympathIzers with Pruss'' urged the talents Of
Bismarck, his diplomacy his II. anpn over Austria
his glorious sadowa aud the deter dnation, pluck
and EXPERIENCES of the prussian soldl.>sy. Let the
war cry, they said, be
'THE NEEDLE GUN AGAINST THE CHAssEPC>r,"
and then see who wins.
1t was agreed on all sides that the conflict would
be brief; that the engagement between the two
armies would be general and decisive At the news.
paper oces the transatlantic events were discussed
in all their bearings and th vantages OF the two
Powers were duly canvassel. In these quarters the
tendency was to support Napoleon. Elsewhere-at
at the hotels mercantile houses, banks and public
Ofces-all other subjects melted into
THE IMPENDING CRISIS.
The effect upon gold was studied to the mlnutest
avs OF hnance; home industry was con-
sdered as affected by the incoming struggle.
to read Of and enjoy the great International prize
fight looked glum over prospective profits, ana
much preferred low rates on French laces and Prus-
sian fneries.
Those who were bound for Europe bv the steamers
sailing to-day were mad. They did not desire 10
enter captivity on the ocean and the Presidents
proclamation, printed elsewhere put a damper on
their fine projects. Trunks were left partially
packed, and many sought the refuge OF crippled
The vesttbule OF
THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL
was crammed during the evening, and here again
speculation as to the issue ran mad. Napoleon was
SLAMS most do cOngregate, OF course verbose missiles
In the German tongue were hurled at the crown OF
tool and not few expressed the opinion that Spain
diplomatic wrist.
A HERALD reporter called upon
MARSHAL SHARPE
to obtain his Instructions from Washington az TO
neutrality, but up to late hour none had arrived.
Passing up town he called at the headquarters OF the
Department Of the East General Mcdowell COM
mandlng, but the great building was deserted, and
the General was at the Pequot House, New London,
resting on his arms.
The sale Of papers last night was incredible and
every one seemed to participate the sensation of
the day. which, since America and Europe are in
close telegraphic communication, renders the con.
fct matter OF hourly interest In every American
home. At the
LlEDERKRANz AND ARIoN SOCIETIES
hostile sentiments were freely expressed towards
France, members declaring the defiant attitude OF
Napoleon to be ruse to infuse life into his dying
dynaS ty and vigOr into his crumbling government
Such an unholy cunning they believe viii be rcpelled
Powers Of Europe.
Leaving the excitement around the HERALD Build.
ing yesterday afternoon to take care of Itself, Q
HERALD reporter wenled his way to Bowling Green,
and ascended the three flights of stairs which led to
the cool chambers OF the French COnsul Gene raj.