Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-27

Now that the light of ample details is thrown
upon the meagre and somewhat hazy kilograms
upon which we based our first opinions upon
the opening of the European war, we are every
day more forciby impressed with the striking
contrast which exists between the organization
of the Prussian and French forces. When we
reflect that a war has really been for long time
inevitable, and that for four years past LOUIS
NAPOLEON has been apparently engaged in &C
tive preparation for gigantic struggle between
his own dynasty and the great German Power
which virtually consolidated itself into an EN-
pire at Sadowa, we are simply shocked and sur
prised to find France SO totally unprepared for
such contest That war was to come, every
one believed, and when the Emperor plunged
the French nation sossabrupty into it, upon SO
| Aimsy pretext, it was, every one supposed,
because he was in a position to take the initia-
tive and to strike the first blow at an enemy
unprepared. How different was the truth is
well known now. Troops were hurried to the
frontier with totally unorganized commissari-
at. They were spread out along long line
partly, no doubt, because they might be more
advantageously fed One line of rail from
Paris was exclusively employed in the transpor-
tation of provisions, so that it could not in any
way serve for sending forward reinforcements.
| From the accounts which now reach US, we
| learn indeed that the organization of the
| French commissariat was shamefulIy defective,
| if not wofully rotten. 1t seems to be certain
that the system was sadly wrong somehow, and
| that the practice must have been wretchedly
| otLa n ,tc
| NAPOLEON has evidently fallen victim either
| to blind and overweening confidence. or to a
| lethargic kind OF indifference which was criml-
nal as well as careless. 1t is almost impossible
that there could have been treachery at the
! root of his troubles Much as many may have
wished his downfall, and though there may
| even have been some who were willing to pass
! under the yoke OF Prussian humiliation in Or
der that they might eventually be freed from
military despotism, it is scarcely conceivable
that officers in the army, who were responsible
| for the we'll being of men under their com
mand, should have deliberately gone to work,
| actuated by pecuniary or other base motives,
| to establish such condition of things as must
inevitably have lead to disastrous defeat and
| wholesale slaughter. 1t is far more charitable
| to suppose that the marvellous collapse Of the
| French army has resulted, in great measure,
| from mistaken confidence in its own power,
and an under appreciation OF that OF Its Toes,
and that the amentable series of disasters, to
which France has been forced to submit are to
be attributed to the radical defects consequent
upon careless organization, quite as much as to
| the incompetency of Generals.
Nothing has astonished the world more than
the splendid contrast afforded by the German
| armies. The perfect equipment was victory in
ITSELF and though there have been times when,
| in rapid pursuit, they have been urged forward
without tents and with scanty ratioDs, both
| food and shelter have been rapidly furnished
| them; and. notwithstanding all the charges
made against them in the conquered districts,
it is much to be doubted whether any invading
army ever swept over country in more per-
| feet order rnd under as good discipline as the
| Prussian army which is now beleaguering Paris.
So far Inc Prussian campaign has been as bril-
liant as anything which history ever recorded.
| It remains now to be seen whether Paris will
be as determined in its defence as it has been
in its declarations, and whether France, under
| its new-forned Government will atone by. It's
heroism for the cruel plumbers which have en-
tailed upon it 50 much suffering and humilia-
! ton - BGZfo Gazette