The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-28
wAR NOTES.

METZ IN l444-rHB SIEGE OF THAT yEAR--rREAT.
AENT OF THE GOVERNOR by THE PEOPLE.
When Metz was Descgcd in 1l44 by tho Kings Of
France anu Sicily the inhabitants seem to have been
rather harshy treated BY the governor Of the for
ress. The Governor OF Metz. it Is stated III Mon
street's Chronicles" was a very cruel man,
called John yiteut who during the Siege rode a
small coulser, having at his tail nell which made
o great noise. He did this that all might hear ana
Know when he was riding about the town. THIS
governor was very severe on all women who left the
iowa 10 ransom their husbands VINO had been maze
prisoners by the French; on their return ne had
them drowned because they had supplied tho en-
envy. with money. lie put 10 death without mercy
all French prisoners, and wonla not hear OF ram
som OF exchange. Nevertheless the King was 20 be.
nlgn prince that he wished not his death nor That
OF his accompllces, bnt granted them most hand
some terms OF surrender The heavy articles OF
capitulation were handsome present OF gilt plate,
200 o09 crowns for t,c expenses OF the siege, and
inc aCquittanca OF 100000 iorlns or gold, which
King Rene tof Sicily and his predecessors had bor-
rowed from them. On these terms they preserved
their quarrel with the King OF Sicily remained I'M
determined nor were any further measures taken
towards bringing 1t TO Il conclusion.
QUEEN AUGUSTA OF PRUSSIA AND TIE RELIEF FUND.
The queen OF Prussia has addressed the following
letter 10 tho Committee OF the English International
Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded In
War
] have observed with sincere a1miration the gen.
erous inanper in which the English nation eadea-
vors to alleviate the fearful suerngs OF the present
wnr ana to participate IN the care Of the numerous
wounded by supporting the existing societies aud
hospitals, by the erection Of their own hospitals
establishment OF depots and The distribution Of gifts
In my lattons with the German societies l feel it
an nrgeit obligation to express TINS to the English
which directs this benevolent activity and in their
name, gs well AZ IL the name OF my countryinen,
far aud near, whom ms assistance has benefited,
to offer the most sincere ana deep.felt thanks. BY
such proofs OF true humanity the NATION does honor
to itself AID preserves IT'S old reputation OF maintain
Ing the Interests OF humanity as everywhere the first
c9lsid@rat on II may likewise rest assured that
with us In Germany what we eve TO 1t In this re.
speci is IN ost warmly acknowledged and felt.
HoMBURG, Nov. s, 1870. AUGUSTA.
THE PARIS FREEaAsoNs AND TIE KING OF PRUSSIA.
A mall telegram dated In Paris ON the 7th Of No
vember says-
A few days ago the newspapers published clta.
Paris AGAINST the Reverend Brother william iii ' King
OF Prussia rs traitor to freenasohry. The KING
TOOK no notice Of tins cltatienso he was tried al
ton. IN oonnesron 'V With tbs n Sicor mngS's
neWspaper. inc Rappei, publishes the following:-
/ "Biocher William is now out or The pale OF the w.
! An Frcemasons are authorized to assaul. him and
to nilct npon him capital punishment"
IL remains TO be seen how the sentence will be
doubt was expressed to tie seriousness Of such
condemnation. replied, '.DO NOT laugh. Tho
tcnce OF the Masonic Tribunal IL OF such dreadful
nature that Bonaparte undertook tho Italian war
solely to retrieve himself from the excommnnica-
ton pronounceu against blm by the lodges OF Naples
and Milan. Pianori and Orsini were FrecmasonS."
THE LEGAL POSITION OF FRANCE FROM GERIAN
: 80. 49,. POINT OF VlEWs
I. Won Haytm6ln. OF Prussia. has published an
essay the constitutional position Of France, con-
sdered from legal point OF view OF winch the fol-
lowing Is an abstract The first source OF the rights
OF nation in opposition to others Its freedom
OF action III as far as it does not prejudice the same
right in other States violate international treaties.
In Internal matters, the legal convictions Of the
people form tho foundation OF all constitutional
law. In France an here liary monarchy was for.
merly the basis of all law but this form OF govern
ment was overthrovn by the revolution, which sub
siituted Tor it the viii Of tue people. Louis Bona-
parte recognized this new principle. The empire
was established and he himself made Emperor
by alone. IL Is trne that some part Of this right
TOOK to accept his heir as Emperor. ana thus appa
rcntly established new hereaitary dynasty; but,
mixed he responsibility Of the Emperor to the people
Now, the right OF calling any ruler TO account I'M
plies the right OF deposing him II he be found gnilty
and consequently II appears that the dynasty OF Ma
poeon was only legitimate as long as II did not for.
felt It's rights This Of course, II could only do by
the judge are united IN the people, from WHOM There
| is no appeal the decision OF ne Question whether
such an act has been committed lies entirely In their
! hands. Should the people decide against the En-
! peror, and should he attempt to prevent Or even
delay the execution OF their sentence tho right Of
| revolution would follow from the fact of MS respon-
sionity being acknowledged IT we inquire whether
the revolution OF the 4th September be justified
on these principles we must reply in tho negative,
for the revolutionary party has not oven attempted
10 prove the Emperor guilty Of an unconstitutional
act on the ground Of which he might be deprived of
| The rights granted him by the people, The coup
d'etdt Of he % December was not directed against
the existing constitution, and by the Indemnity
res jUlicdtog, on which no new accusation can be
founded. Napoleon LII has always acted IN har-
| indeed, when the opposition gained unusual strength
he altered u IN harmony with the wishes OF the MI
o the the people thus gyns them ruiz opnou
nifty OF condemnlng IT. He did not declare the war
win Germany which France has so eagerly desired
fer the las. Gfty years until the representatives of
the nation, who were elected by universal suffrage
had eagerly greeted the act by majority Of 2io to
10. Pans. winch hailed the news Of The victory Of
the I'd OF August with frenzy OF Joy and would
have cast the last remains Of nsr honor and con.
rctnrnea home triumphant, skaters the throne she
erected with her own hands now that ne is prt
soner success" continues the writer us ths
| fetish can procure rain OF glory her Inhabitants
sacrifice In its honor their brothers, their honor,
their all as rs Il cannot change the drought II
is beaten and thrown on the dunghlll. But the
acknowledges may some day discover that they
hi the form they have cast away todeck it anew
and place It OH the seat OF honer for, though thc
wood Of which ietishes may he maze Is by no mean.
has many claims TO respect"
The revolution OF the 4th OF September was both
! unJustinable and unwsc Nor was II the work Of
| France since the movement was confined to some
OF tho great cities The provisional government u
SaVs little q or no Dence on The County, an
| Lyons il In open opposition 10 them. Even in Paris
| they form emily party government Fer these rea
| sons they have ne claim to be considered the gov
| ernlnent OF France. II Is possible though improba
| be- That the French may recognize the fall OF Ma
| administration, but TIL such steps have beer
| taken 1t Is merely oommittce OF clever
| lions, put an end To the anarchy which
| broke out in Paris on the attn september. In conse
quencc of the absence OF all the troops OF ne llne D.
coup d'etdt, and received the acoamatlons OF tll
| crowds on the boulevards. with such an admins
tration, winch Ia government neither De Jul3 MOI
de Jdcto u Is possible to treat for the surrender
| Paris but not 10 conclude peace.
| SMALL CAUSES FOR GREAT EVENTS.
| Among the causes which contributed to th
| French declaration war the Col Gazette hl