New-York tribune., 1870-11-17
EFFECT OF TIE WAR ON EUROPEAN LIBERTY.
TO The Editor OF The Tribune.

EFFECT OF TIE WAR ON EUROPEAN LIBERTY.
TO ne Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: From the horrible details Of the con-
ict now raging between two great nations Of Europe
may well TO and consider what as the result OF
the war; will DO gained for the Dationalties or for
European liberty Iii the beginning OF the war the SYM
pathy Of the nation with Prussia as standing in de-
ense OF right but since the overthrow OF the French
Casar it is largely with France because there is seen an
embryo republic struggling into existence, and because
Inundated, yanqushed though brave and still defiant
nation always commands sympathy. But from
people 20 notoriousy capricous entirely wanting in
an the practical elements Of sefgoyernnent as are the
French. permanent liberal government probaDlei
Some ore has sad The nOblest result Of the ages the
greatest achievement humanity has been to found and
produce nation" True IL H. the existence OF haon
Vim fyy and sgnifr1nt exceptions only knew empires
established by arms aud maintained ny force rue TShch
ideal with that Of all the Latin is st the old Ro
man Empire and they have diyested themselves
he policy OF Charemagne. position to intermeddle
with the affairs OF neighborng States has
Cnsarism and her vast standing armies she has stood
blocking the wheels of Republican, SIN and Freedom
the French Empire have held Italian liberty by the
throat. Her attempt to sulugate MeXeo-to found an
Fmpirc for Republican act fitted only for the six
teeIth century Is proof OF her love Of conquest and
Russia has for the last quarter of century been the
great enemy Of European liberty --.--,
Germany, the other hand has never been central
zed nation she Is IRE free from from the traditions OF oTo eeRF b
The most enlightened spirit OF the age. Though the
sentiment of patriotic affection thoroughly animates
the ersh az e sT Gsy b as % ash faf Se the
amount assimated is far less. In France the logical
and substitute the saes Of Wit or brilliant sophisms
for calm and just ratiocnation. In Germany,
knowledge Is cOnf0rmabe 10 the eXgencies OF the
times France banlOns herself to the Transports OF ma
tional vanity and the pursuit of personal pleasure and
than the French the English and an analytical
intellect less ready though sure, superior in
and ai.inn hl4
with her usual capricous enthusiasm rushed to the fray
mistaken alike IN her understanding of the present
moved toward the Rhine with that steadfastnes5 of pur
pose which comes from the union OF high physical
powers and a constant habit OF reelection. While the
French regiments have fought with yalor unsurpassed
by their fathers under Great Napoleon and the Prus
slams as Oby their ancestors under Bcher or Fred
erC the Great, yet the Germans have shown superior
generasp and proven themselves the best strategsts
The French have exhibited their sad want OF seadness
and pine while the Germans have shown unprece-
dented celerity, and uneQuaed completeness and
efficiency in their war administration The Of the
Empire marshaled with the Haunting boast that it
under the walls Of Berlin Prussia made no boastful
reply but has overthrown the Empire, and seems likely
TO dictate the terms OF peace in the French capital.
From these welknown characteristics OF the two COM
batants may expect rs result OF this war that the
German people will claim and obtain larger liberty for
their immense sacrifices. The Government will be COM
PEELED to adopt favorable bias toward liberty and
free institutions, for which the Germans are already
better fitted by their selfdscipne and intelligence than
any other OF the great European nations Already they
and wisely and It will be but an easy step TO free Gov
ernment. The OF a word phrase sometimes
veas the temper Of nation In Prussia and the German
States men talk Of human rights individual rights. and
the right OF suffrage while IN France and the other
European States the things spoken Of class
privileges individual privileges and suffrage is only re-
grded a. privilege. Even in EDgl land when DSraen
pushing through his Reform bill, he could only
speak Of the franchise privilege. The war will hasten
the day Of free Government for united Germany.
Would that the French nation might emerge from their
defeat forever freed from desposm and out OF their
humiliation might rescue a permanent liberal govern
ment France as q Republic enlists in her favor the
sympahcs OF all free nations though they must regret
that has allowed itself To inherit the Of the En-
pre. France s,l wants what she has always wanted,
more perspcacity, skill, and persistent weldireced
ergy IN the middle class to divine and maintain their
true interests and carry them through triumphanty.
The Republic has been the spasmodc cry OF French
men for nearly century, though all attempts To main
tain IL have proved failures Liberty In sense is
Tor the French convenient watchwOrd, but Liberty in
the actual concrete has for them been anarchy and
clasIn The French have no clear and rational under
standing OF Liberty regulated by law-hence fear the
present Republic will drift into monarchy-a monarchy
however may reasonably hope liberal than the
last sincerely as We wish to wise c0unsels prevail
IN the new Republic, and a permanence given to free
government, We unable To find in the French char
dcter reason 10 Justify the hope.
The war will strengthen the Republican element strug
Cling In spain and Italy; and throughout Europe
arche5 viii be made 10 trembe for dynastc succession.
IL VIII hasten the day when the Catholic Church. with its
lhflhble Pope. viii stand but OF the great mon
nents OF the past II will aid in solving the questions OF
Latin IL will weaken selfish Courts, ambitious
minister's and thrones prOpped by the bayonets OF vast
aImits ~ VIII prove teacher OF liberty and equal
rights to the nations OF Europe and subserve the best in
terests OF humanity. ROBINSON.
DuOb9te, IOtca, oct. %, 1870.