Middletown transcript., 1870-07-16
FRANCE AND PRUSSIA.

We have had brilliant campaign, so
far as the Atlantic Cable and the daily
press were concerned, lasting some seven
or eight days. Army corps, squadrons
and divisions, have been set in martial ar
ray before us, and we have almost held
our breath in expectation that the dogs of
war would actually bo let loose. The
war-bubble has been blown up to the ut
most; but, all at once, it has burstcd and
vanished into thin air, the announcement
having been made that Prince Leopold
had declined to accept the throne of Spain.
There would seem to be no need, there
fore, that France should 60 to war with
Prussia, unless she can find some other
and more plausible pretext for it. Not
blow has been struck, and from the be-
ginning we did not think that there would
be. There has been much that smacked
of the ludicrous, in the windy dispatches
flashed over the cable and blazoned before
the public eye, in glaring capitals, in all
our sensational dailies. And our dailies
are nothing, if they are not sensational,
nowadays.
We think it safe to say there will be no
war, although the armies of Prussia and
France are said to be still approaching
their respective frontiers. Count Bis
marck may lay aside, for the present, his
terrible needle-guns that did such execu-
tion at Sadowa, and the fire-eating French
may stack their Chassepots, and moore
their awful iron-clads.
| The Philadelphia Ledger sums up the
matter in the following sensible reflections
The French Emperor has mlde noth ng out o
the embodiment Indeed he has lost in more
ways than one. The noisy defamation of SOM
of his Ministers, going to the unseemly extrem,
of threats, was the farthest possible remov
from good craftsmanship, and was, moreover
in strong and significant contrast with the for
midable reserve and reticence which the Empero
and his Government have heretofore practicet
, on serious occasions. 1t had theatrical gla
! mour about it that in no way recommended i
to thoughtful men. To some, it seemed as if th
astute French ruler, so famous for his self-con
:. troll had for the time lost his head In this re
spect, neither Napoleon, nor Olivier, nor D
Granimont have added to their regulations a
statesmen. The Empire has shown great ange
, upon small occasion; it has been loud and dc
= monstratve when few quiet but firm words c
! remonstrance were all that the subject calle
- for it has INDUCED in menace without suficier
, warrant If there ever can be warrant for sucl
practice in national matters it has, in word
shown itself to be in the wrong in its whole cor
D duct in this affair.
PrussiA Is at the same time behaved with cali
dignity. Expressing surprise at the feeling
IS France, the Prussian Government says that
has incurred no responsibility in the matter. tt
: Spanish authorities invited German prince
n become Il candidate for the Spanish throne, I
:, which the King Of Prussia gave his assent, as |
IL had no reason TO withhold it. 1t the affair
n the Spanish people and Government aud if the
were satisfied he had no objection. This is Il
l. Prussian case, and it must be conceded that,
~ q quiet, dignihed display of tact or of nations
= good sense, it gives Prussia the advantage
= the point of department, which, it may be SAT-
goes great way in these matters.
The net result of the controversy thus far is tn
d the French Emperor has disclosed beyond
, chance for future concealment his eager desi
II far u quarrel with Prussia. The world is full
lt ware Of that fact now. Uuder such crcumsta
=. ces is it likely that peace can be maintained f
'I any length of time, if the existing Difficult
at passes away without immediate WARP If t
present pretext should be abandoned by Nap
he leon as unavailable, how long will it take to fl
Nv another If Prussia is not quite ready now,
it likely that she will remain so?
The Emperor of France is dissatisf
' with the mere withdrawal of Prince lie
~ pold. He persists IN his demand th
= Prussia shall formally disavow the can'
=, daturc for all time. The King of Prus
~ y, firmly refuses, alleging that to accede
" this would only produce more extravaga
demands from France. Much disqu
ox and uncertainty exists. Such appears
.o- be- the latest phaze of the imbrogio.