The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-24
,nIa.ters Pertaiaing to tho war.

Matters Pertaining TO tho War.
| TRocHU, ON WAR.-Now that the ap-
proach Of the German armies to Paris
brings with each day into greater .prOmi-
nence the pame.of Troehh, the General
whom the French Empire rejected, but
upon whom the Republic has imposed
its greatest task, it win be interesting to
see just what manner Of man he is, and
in what spirit he is likely to administer
one of the most solemn and trying
trusts ever confided to soldier.
b In q remarkable passage of his very
remarkable book on the French army
q book which, in the light of recent
events, assumes an almost prophetic
characterLFroohu tf1us speaks Of the
temper in which war must be viewed by
soldiers who are also citizens: s'I must
bear my. Witness" he says, "to truth
with which my own experience has
deeply impressed me, when I declare
tie than the common descriptions OF
both. War, which imposes so many
sacrifices in men and money on the peo-
pie who engage in it, and upon the ar
mics which mako it so many trials and
efforts, breeds, especially in the coun-
tries over which it is waged, most inevi-
table misery and disorder. Those Of
old time always degenerated, and in our
own times often still degenerate into
outrage, violence and devastation,
wrcaked upon the innocent and habitu-
ally .inoffcnsive populations which arc
trampled under foot by tho contcnding
hosts. Here aro the real, widespread,
terrible evils of war. They are little
spoken Of, if they arc spoken of at all,
for the cry of these ruined people is
stided by the emotions of tho battle
field and of politics. But the spectacle
of these dumb and helpless sufferings is
heart-breaking to every soldier who pos
sesses the least mognanimity. All such
soldiers are amazed that modern civil
zation, which is so proud Of having sup
planted force in the dealings of man
with man by principles and by the law,
should still be attempting to settle in
ternationnl disputes by letting loose the
soourges of war. The souls of such SOL
diers sicken with scorn at the aspect of
the carpet knights who invoke war, and
celebrate its glories in q conventional
jargon which betrays their vanity, their
ignorance, their ambition and their pre-
| tension. But, at the same time, the du
ties and the responsibilities of high COM
mand cannot fail to elevate the senti-
uCd1S VI pli SuCh lnCAs AZ ACAS, LhCh,
troops, by tho authority of character and
of example, into adopting the habits
and accepting the rules of discipline; to
dispose them to consideration and kind
ness towards non-combatant populations;
to inspire the soldier with respect for
himself, with respect for the mission
confded to him by his country, and
with such devotion to the high interests
represented by his country's flag as shall
make it easy for him to lay down his life
in their behalf-what work can bo more
worthy than this of the noblest heart
and the loftiest spirit? From this point
Of view, firmly believe that wars which
bear the double stamp of right and of
necessity exalt tho temper Of nation,
snatch community from the enervating
enjoyment OF a long peace, and recon
struct its manhood by tempering anew
in the ordeal of peril and of endurance
its character and its SOUL"
These are the words, and this is the
spirit of no ordinary captain, and there
cnn be little doubt that, under such Il
commander, tho defence Of Paris and OF
France, whether it be successful or un-
successful, will nt least be worthy of a
great people and of civilized age.
The SIEGE OF PARIS The investment
of Paris seems to be nearly completed,
although the circle about it is not yet
very strong in all its parts. But the
isolation OF the city is SO far accom-
plished that no intelligence directly
from thence can be obtained except by
special messenger. if such shall be per.
mittcd or be able to make his way
through the surrounding lines. In view
of the misery and destruction OF life
which in any event must result from all
effort to reduce the city by force, it is to
be earnestly hoped that negotiations
will even yet render it unnecessary.
Paris contains 2,000,0OO of souls, and in
addition the rural population for cir
cult Of twenty miles around have been
thronging to it for weeks. Whether
the city has been sufficiently provisioned
to support this multitude for month OF
two is an important question, in regard
to which the accounts are conflicting.
If Paris could hold ont for sixty days
and if tho spirit Of the French people i,
what it was seventy-fve years ago, the
utter ruin which now threatens France
might be avoided. But there are grave