The New York herald., 1870-08-11
French Defents-The Ferment In Pnris;-
Tho Dangers In tho Rear.

that the account of French defeats and OF
Prussian successes must In some way have
been exaggerated. 1t was natural for French
sympathizers to doubt. II was natural for
Prussian sympathizers to believe. But 1t was
not unnatural for large number, who were
neither German nor French, to say, 'Truth
lies half way, and we must wait" Day after
1 day, however, the news accumulated, ard,
while we write, 1t is no longer possible to
doubt that the fighting on Saturday last was
on grand scale, that Prussia was gloriously
successful and that France was igrominiously
| defeated. On the right and on the left centre
the French were found unequal TO the
Soe. She right and the left wings
Of the French army have retreated;
the retreat has made necessary the
retirement of the French centre on Metz
and while Francs, all along her line, falls back,
Prussia, oil along her line, moves forward.
Strasbourg is left dependent on her garrison.
So is Thionville. Napoleon, 1t is said, has
found his way back to Paris. The Prince
Imperial, it is said. has arrived in London.
France still boasts, but retreats. Prussia is
still reticeut, but moves forward. Whatever
may be the final issue Of this war all the world
must admit that Napoleon has most miserably
played the r6le of Caesar. He is unquestion-
ably great diplomatist and not o bad poll
tician; but he is not soldier.
As there is no longer any question about the
actual results Of the war so far as the war has
gone, other questions demand consideration
T. Io t. Aoo Ill =
important question. The answer is conveyed
to us by every cable despatch. 1t bears it
badly. So far as Napoleon is concerned, 30
far as his dynasty is concerned, it could not
bear it worse. Paris is in state of complete
Generalization. Hundreds OF tradesmen offer
to defend it, But the Olivier Ministry has
been voted down, and in the Corps Legislatif
the proposal has been openly made that
Napoleon be deposed A Dictatorship under
General Trochu is spoken of. The Chambers,
according to our latest accounts, presented
scene of the widest confusion-wilder than
ever did the Ecumenical Council, wilder than
our widest ward meetings Members, de-
spairing of the power of the tongue,
had actually resorted to the weight
Of the fist. The widest scenes Of
the ever memorable and worthless Directory
have again been repeated. Outside the Cham
bers confusion was worse confounded. 1t was
necessary to charge upon the mob; but after
every charge the mob reformed. So ungrateiul
was the duty of the preservers of order that
the National Guard threw down their arms
and fraternized with the populace. In the
capital of France matters could not be worse,
and the serious question now is whether
| France will any longer tolerate Napoleon. Ed
| mund Abouts testimony from the field of bat
| tie may be wicked; but it chimes in marvel
lously well with the testimony Of all sensible
men. He blames the Emperor for declaring
war and yet allowing Prussia to take the
initiative. He blames the Emperor for delay
when moments might have determined the
tide of victory. In Paris to-day the Emperor,
If there, cannot be happy. The ferment is
great, ominous, destructive; but Napoleon
more than France has reason to be afraid.
If the armies of King William keep together,
If they are not over anxious to make victory
final, there are forces in the rear of Napoleon
which make their victory certain, if not easy.
France has submitted to Napoleon because
Napoleon has given France prosperity. Paris
likes Bonapartism because Comparison has
made Paris beautiful, rich, the centre Of
European life, the fashionable capital Of the
world Frenchmen, however-Parisians not
excepted-love Napoleon for the results he has
produced, not for himself. So long as he is
useful he will be popular Whenever he ceases
to be useful his popularity will die. No one is
80 alive to this fact as himself. Success has
been the god of his idolatry success in the
Crimean war made him; success in his Italian
campaign saved him. In his role of Caesar he
had done well. He had succeeded his uncle !;
he had shown political, military and even
literary capacity. Why should he not attempt
again? He did attempt, but this time the
attempt has been terrific failure.
AS matters now stand we shall not be
surprised if Napoleon should abdicate before
Monday first Monday first is his Jtste day. If
he does not win great fight between now and
the 18th his game is up. The enemy in the
rear will be 80 strong that Prussia will have an
easy victory. He would be bold man, how
ever, who would say that France might not
yet repel the invader. Frenchmen of all ranks
and classes may unite for the defence Of their
own soil. If King William is wise he will take
his revenge upon Napoleon by proclaiming to
France that he wars not against Frenchmen nor
French institutions, but against the man who
has wantonly disturbed the peace Of Europe.
If he takes this course he will dsarm million
foes. II, however, he should delay. thus giving
Napoleon a chance to abdicate in favor of
his son or in favor Of a republic, Prussia may
find that she is far from home in the
enemy's country. Should Napoleon fall