The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-09-08
Exit Napoleon. Entrance Who ?

Ring down the curtain on the Napoleonlc
dynasty. ,.,..5
war nm Prussia. On the second of August
the hattie Of Saarbrnck was fought. On the
second day of September Napoleon surren
,lered to King Wslliam at Sedan. On the
same day the army of General McMahon
surrendered TO the Prussians. Were there
ever so many events crowded into so shorta
space France conquered Prussia eieVa-
ted Napoleon a prisoner. William con
auerer one mighty nation prostTated. ana
then another pushed into the lead OF Euro
peau powers. apd all iu sixty days. On the
mart of the Prussians, the campaign was
conducted with skill, spirit and dash 'Ihey
raised mighty armies. and threw them imme-
diately upon the encmy's weakest polnts--
Their Generals were skillfnl, and acted as
unit upon one comprehensive plan. w hen
one attack failed to effect the Sesired emu
another and another followed. There was
no hesitation. Delays did not clog the
wheels of progress. Decimated regiments
were filled up With fresh men. DlvlslonS
rent and torn with shot and shell, were made
whole by home drafts. While one army
was fighting in the field. another stood on
the frontier ready for service. In WORD,
Prussia was prepared for war. She out
matched the French in men and III the com
pleteness of her campaign. and hence the
result. France was not prepared for war
The facts show this. Her troops sent into
the field haven never been exceiled for bravery.
spirit and endurance. Beaten from the start.
they still fought from Woerth to Sedan with
the most heroic fortitude. Nothing could
overcome their resolution. Though each
man in the French lines was opposed by two
in the Prussan divisions. still they laliereG
not Even the official dispatches OF the
Prussian Generals admit these facts. But
they were badly led. The inception OF the
campaign seemed to have been a biunder.
and the bluudering continued up TO the end
The movement lacked decision, aud when
made were not properly supported. Corps
were senarated which should have been
! kept in near supporting distance, and divis-
+ ions allowed themselves TO be forced into
/ improper positions by want of prompt move
( ments. To these matters, so important and
! vital in their effects upon the efficiency OF
! the army. must be added the Condition OF
I affairs in Paris, and then the true state OF
/ the case IN relation to the French campaign
+ If 1870, will be placed before the view of
the public. Il ended at Sedan, and with II
Napoleon and his dynasty.
Ring up the curtain. On what
Who can tell? The needle gun is now
triumphant. What does it represent! Free
dom to man Progress in liberal govern
ment? More individual rights LibeTaized
constitutions Napoleon is crushed. But
who Is to take his place The Regency falls
with the Empire Father, wife. son, ali
sunk beneath the bloody waves at Sedan
/ When Napoleon laid his sword at the feet
of William, that moment the government OF
France changed. Will that change be Sc
constructed by William and Bismarck as tt
give the people more liberty than they had
under Napoleon If 50, we'll II not, then
fight on the part of Prussia has not been t.
free France from tyrant, as was declared,
but to change the man who is to use power
from the throne. If the PruSsian King com
pels France to alter her government from one
form of despot;sm To another more rePulslve
his declaration that Prussia wagsd war. not
against Frenchmcn, but against Napoleon
was a cheat and deiuSion. Frenchmen
want Republic. They Go not desire a
Napoleon to rule them. Nor will they will
iugly accept Bourbon, even when backed
by the guns Of Prussia William will be
guided by Bismarck in the future, rs he has
heen in the past, aud Bismarck Is a cpld
cruel, heartIess Gespot He will crush tbs
people of France under the iron heel of mil
itary power. unless the Great Powers call &
halt, and demand til at aff4irs shall be setil.,
by Congress of Nations. But will that h'
done 2 Wha now will have the cnurage t
b. Il the cat Will Russia or England: /
not these powers, then from what quarter
will even a meek, mild remonstrancc come
The present is an eveutful period in the
history of Europe Despotism has gained =
decided advantage, and the rights Of the
masses are pushed back half century,
A bold spirit in France might now declar'
Republic and summon the freemen o
Europe to rally around one common Gag
for common rights-lihertv. equity, frater.
nifty. Such cry aroused Europe at the
end of the of last century. Why not now
But, we repeat Ring up the curtain. Or
what Who can tell Age.