The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-18
Tho Vandalism or the War-Where Lies
tine ResponsIbilItyf

plying governments Of Europe will not raise
finger to prevent this vandalism. Paris ant
its innumerable art treasures are to be sub
jected to a terrible storm Of destructive mis-
siles and fire, and no potent voice, no hand, i
raised, to avert the catastrophe. What
blot this will be upon the boosted civilization
Of Europe! What stain upon the history o
the great nations Of Europe! The monarchi
and princes who have been the honored guests
of glorious Paris and Of the French government
and people stand with folded arms coolly looking
on this disgraceful spectacle. The hundred
of thousands OF ruling, leading and fashionable
classes of European nations who revelled In
the refinement and luxury Of the great city are
silent while destruction hangs over it, The
world seems to forget what 1t owes TO Paris
for science, art, literature and progress In
civilization. As little regard is paid to the
doom of this proud capital of the world and
its splendid monuments Of art and science as
burning of remote village In the far off prai-
rics of this country.
The war, on the part of Prussia, has become
a war against civilization as well as against
| republicanism. Well may Bismarck and the
liberal-minded Crown Prince of Prussia hest
tate about bombardng Paris, If the report
that they do SO be true. General Won Moltke,
who looks at everything in strictly military
point Of view, and the stubborn old King
William, may be in favor Of bombarding the
city, as is reported, but it is reasonable to be-
lieve a man of Bismarcks far-seeing mind
must fear the verdict of history and the en-
lghtened opinion of tho world 1t is natural,
too, that generOus-minded man like the
Grown Prince should shudder when he con-
templates the destruction of the heart and
centre Of the civilized world. If such an act
OF vandalism would close the war, or were
necessary to that end, there might be some
excuse for it, though hardly justidable even
then but the destruction or taking of Paris is
no more likely to lead to that result than the
taking Of Sedan or any other place. The gov
ernment is not there, and if IL were, the cap
ture of one government docs not prevent the
formation of another in the transition condi-
ton France is in now. The capture of the
Emperor and flight of the imperial regency
did not end the war. A provisional govern
ment of defence, like the present one could
be formed anywhere, and the French nation
would rally to it to the last. Although the
object of the Prussians may be to drive the
peace they propose by relentless devastation,
the destruction of Paris would arouse, pro-
baby, the whole nation to more determined
resistance We cannot see what the Prussians
would gain by bombarding Paris, while we do
think they would lose much by prolonging and
intensifying the war and by the revulsion of
public sentiment throughout the world at such
an act.
Then look at the fearful destruction of
property and lives in every direction; at the
| hundreds of thousands of men slain or mutt
lated-the flower of both France and Ger
many; at the numberless houseless and home
less innocent people who know not where to
lay their heads or find living; at the vine
yards and cultivation destroyed over large
area of the most productive region, and at all
war. And for what? For monarchical am
bition. The war was commenced fer that by
Napoleon and urged on by his creatures and
flatterers Now that he is out of the way and
the object attained which Prussia took up
arms for, as avowed by the Prussians them
selves, King William still continues the war.
It is ne longer to defend Germany, but is
aggressive and ambitious. The pretence that
Germany is fighting for guarantees Of future
peace can deceive no sensible men. Germany
has ample guarantees in the success of her
arms and the wonderful power she has devel-
oped. Besides, there has appeared no reason
to doubt that the French government would
accept terms, short Of a sweeping dismember
ment of the nation, for treaty of permanent
peace It is prepared to accept sacrifices il
| the Prussians be not too exacting
| But while the belligerents appear unable to
solve the difficulty themselves there is way
to do this through the interposition or media
ton of the rest of Europe. The great Powers
England, Russia, Austria and Italy-now
could stop the war. And were France not a
republic they would, probably, have taken
energetic measures to that end before this.
Still we might suppose that the statesmen Of
| these nations would see the futility Of resisting
the progressive ideas and intelligence Of the
age-would see the folly Of fighting the repub-
lican sentiment which is growing and spread
! ing over the Continent. At least we might
expect they would, in the interests Of civiliza-
ton and for the sake Of humanity, make an
effort to stop this dreadful and useless effuson
Of blood OF all the great Powers England ia
most to blame for not acting. She is more
advanced in political liberty and approaches
nearer free government The masses of the
English people favor the French republic, and
wish their government to interpose to stop