The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-09-26
Poor France.

The kilograms OF saturday gave good rea-
son to fear that Paris is convulsed by a rev.
olution within revolution, gotten upby
the Red Republicans, who are ever mere
anarchists. France is in a haEless state in
deed-overrun by Il powerful enemy and
torn BY dissensions and enfcebled by indie
cision and ineticiency at home. ltWoulu
seem to be wanton and cruel to continue to
war upon nation rendered SO helpless by
untoward circumstances. 1t Is no longer
necessary to shoot down the French for
conquest or eclat. Prussia, having con-
uuered her real enemy, should withhold
her sword. and the Kingdoms Of Europe
should interpose to restore peace, and, il
possible, assure it upon reasonable basis.
There has been enough bloodshed and de-
struction. 1t is time to stay carnage and
save what is not already destroyed.
If there be truth in the representation OF
BIsxARcK's views, he does not seek to an-
mex q lsace and Lorraine to Germany, but
demands the cession Of Metz and Stras-
bourg, to be continued and strengthened as
fortified towns belonging to Germany. This
would be worse than the annexation OF the
whole of the two provinces. The two forts
in the possession of Germany on the French
side of the Rhine would be q perpetual me-
mace. They would be q continual invita-.
ton and proyocation to hate and hostility.
and the first opportunity that offered would
be seized to make war upon Prussia and 70
attempt to win back the forts. A peace
should not be patched up in manner to
leave running sores to keep the peace OF
Europe in constant peril. Prussia should
not desire it, and it is the interest of every
European Kingdom that it should be avoid
ed. They are all in danger of being in.
volved in every war that may occur be-
tween any two of the Great Powers.
England, that might be leader in some
measure to preserve France from being cut
up, and securing wise and practical peace,
has " gone into trade" and affects inditier'
ence to decaying empires and crumblina
thrones according to DIsRAEL1. But this
dattering JUNCTION is delusion, as she viii
in time discover. There is mysterious
chain which holds together the dynasties Of
LII NULL u llSshACi CA1oo lhS SSohoiiis
of their existence cannot be disturbed il
reference to one or two without seriously
duplicating others. If the balance OF power
IL disturbed, and G great power becomes,
like the champion prize-fghter, the victor
in an its fights, it will not be satisfied as
long as there Is q specially muscular an(
unwhipped champion in the field. 1t i:
only by preserving the balance Of power il
Europe (as her governmental systems arr
now ordereG that such disturber of tht
peace Of the nations can be held in check
But, above all, poor France, completed.
vanquished and prey to the dissension
which misfortune so often engenders
should be spared. She should be spared
for her high civilization, her contribution
to science and art, and her immense infu
ence in promoting the development ant
improvement of the agencies for the com
fort, refinement, and education of society
Tnat she should pay the expenses Of tn
war and make such concessions as custom
aud justice demand, must be conceded o.
all hands. But against her being humble
by the partition Of her territory, or Grip
pied In her ambition and her means for tn
+ Improvement OF science and the promotio
Of all the arts Of civilization, the Who'll
world will protest.