Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-10-04

Dreyse guns, your innumerable cavalry, youl
terrible artiery-on 800, 900 citizens STANDING
on their ramparts, on fathers defending theil
fresides, on city full of trembling families
where their are wives sisters and mothers. and
where, at this hour, |, who speak to you, have
my two grandchildren, one Of whom is at the
breast.
1t is on this city, innocent of this war; on
this city which has done nothing but share with
you her brilliancy on Paris isolated, superb
and desperate, that you precipitate yourselves
an immense wave of conflict and slaughter
Such would be your role valiant men, great sol
diers illustrious army of noble Germany Oh
reflect
The nineteenth century would see this fright
full event-an orderly nation become savage,
abolishing the city Of nations; Germans extin-
gushing Paris; the German raising the ak over
the Gaul. You, the descendants of Teutonic
knights, make war unfairly; you cxtermlnate
the group of men and of ideas which the world
needs; you demolish the organic city; you re-
commence Attilla and Alaric; you follow Omar
| In burning the Library of mankind you raze
| the Hotel de Vile as the Huns RACED the Cap
itol you lombard Notre Dame as the Turks
bombarded the Parthneon; you present to the
world this spectacle the Germans again be-
come Vandals, and you will be barbarism de-
capitating civilization.
mo, no, no!
Do you know what this victory would be to
you? it would be your dishonor.
All surely no one can think Of frightening
you Germans, glorious army, courageous peo-
pie! but they may reinstruct you. 1t is GER
tainly not opprobrium which you will find
and |, European, that is friend Of Paris
l, Partisan, that is friend of peoples, inform
you Of the peril you are in, my brothers of Ger
many, because [ admire you, I honor you, and
because L know well that if something makes
you retire, it is not shame, it is not fear.
All! noble soldiers, what a return to your
homes You will be conquered with bowed
heads; and what will your wives say to you?
The death of Paris-what mourning
The assassination of Paris-what a crime
The world would mourn; you would incur
the crime.
Do not accept this formidable responsibility.
Stop.
And then, last word: Paris driven to the
last ; Paris sustained by all uprisen France can
conquer, and should conquer, and you will have
attempted, at a dead loss, this violence which
already rouses the world. In any case efface
the words: destruction, abolition, DEATH No
Paris will not be destroyed. If it is destroyed
materially, it will augment morally. In ruin
ing Paris you sanctify it. The scattering of
the stones will be dispersion of IDEAS Fling
Paris to the four winds and you will only make
each grain of that dust the seed of the future.
That sepulcher will cry, Liberty Equality, Fra
ternity! Paris is a city, but Paris is a SOUL
Burn our edifces, they are only bones their
smoke will take shape. and will become enor-
nous and living, aud will mount up to Heaven
and there will be seen on the horizon Of peoples,
above Us, above you, and above all and every
thing. attesting our gloEy; attesting your
shame. that great spectre OF darkness and Of
light, Paris.
Now. | have done. Germans, if you per-
sist, be it SO, you are warned; go, attack the
walls Of Paris. Under your bombs and your
mitraileuses she will defend herself AS for
me, an old man. will be there without arms
1t is proper for me to be with people who are
dying; [ complain that you are with kings who
are killing. VICTOR HUGO.
PARIS Sent g. 1870