Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-07-29
FRANCE A~pwtlss..
WAS IIzoToS CITY. sd July, l.,

WAS IIz5ToS CITY. Esd July, $50.
T. ~ Editor Of the ErsaiHc 81 n.
SIR. VIII you please to give HE a small space
in your widely circulated journal to express in
a f,w words my thoughts In relation to the pos
ton of France. concerning the pending war
with Prussia Although they nav be unpa! alta
bic JGsl nos u d great many. and unflshiOna-
bic, set believe them not TO be the less true
and worthy of consideration. Bes les Il Is only
fair 10 hear from tine other sid OF the anestitT
ETsf- Will commence by stating that tne
IOhcy OF rance under the Emperor NAPOLEON
he IhlId, has not been aggressive. L do not
attempt TO defend the intervention in Mexico
fOT few FrenehRen would, but they claim tia,
on the presentation or the objections from the
Inited States, their army was withdrawn, and
maj there was offence to the United States by
sending 1t there, the ameHde honorable was made,
bytGe dispatch with which it was so speedily
withdrawn, on receiving the intimation of the
views OF the American people. The Emperor
has devoted himself to the development OF the
industry of France, and the extension of salts
factory commercial relations with the whole
civilized world. He, with the will or France,
offered the lives Of thousands of his people, ami
expended millions OF treasure to preserve in its
integrity the Ottoman Empire, and in giving
II eedom to Italy. But these wars were not ag-
gressive. There are but few who will not allow
that they were wars in defence of liberty, and
the rights OF nations, and Of humanity at large.
What recompense has France received for her
sacrifices? Nothing but the self consciousness
Gratltude may, perhaps, find a place in the
memory OF the Turk. but IL is now doubtful III
Il ever found resting place in the bosom of the
Italian, II the late reports from Florence are
true, although thousands Of Frenchmen showed
that greatest of love, which man can show to
ms brother, by laying down his life for him.
Second. France has not increased her territory
at the expense of her neighbors. Let Hanover
Sehleswig and the other German States testify
AZ 10 the aggressive disposition OF Prussia. Let
Holland and Belgium ans er ii they feel quite
secure against the same disposition which seeks
70 control the seas from the Baltic to the Schedt
ana let switzerland say, has she any security
against the invasion of her German cantons ?
Two German powers, the same who invaded
Hol>tein, had heretofore combined to destroy
ana divide unhappy Poland, and they still re-
tam the result or that robbery by the power of
the sword alone. Is this aggression WHY
does not now a united Germany, in the great
ness OF her power and love of liberty, give the
world an exhibition OF her faith in her prote,-
tations. and do Justice to the unhappy peopIe
whom she has trampled under her military
power, restore TO them their country which /.
not necessary 10 keep for the cause OF German
unity France, on the contrary, has always
given TO the exiied Peles home of honor and
refuge from oppression, and support when they
needed II with no sparing hand.
''c. tiootlest picture in the book of time
Sarmatia fell, uDwept. without a crime,
Found Lot a generous friend, plying foe,
Strength in her arms, nor mercy in her woe!
Dropped from her nerveleSs grasp the shat
tered spear,
Closed her bright eye, and curbed her high
career:
Hope Tor a season babe the world farewell.
And Freedom shrieked when koSciusko fell"
Third. IL is true that the French ~ love their
native and, III which they are happy, that they
are Bot great co!CDi;ers; satisfied with their
Own, they do not court foreign lands, or emf
CRATE in hordes. Yet they are hospit ab,e "a
every American who has Travelled in France
from Brest TO Marseilles, from the Alps to
the Pyrpnnes can testify, and what American
iady or gentleman who has sought for society in
Paris. but must remember with vivid rccoliec-
tiohs Of pleasure the kind attentions of tue
Emperor and Empress, and with what easy
grace they were welcomed ~ il at home. Who
car say 80 much ;Or the Court OF Berlin:
Is IT not natural for France to suspect the
movements OF "A nci gbboring Power who so lately
H-RTan''ittG herself at the expense of the lives
OF her OWE race ard enriched herself from the
Golfers O! ler nearest relations, without c0yse of
TaI-has not she gooi reason now to suppose
that she seeks to weaken her before the nations
ard L. Oyefshadow and circumvent her hy new
and stranger alliances with Spain. Here in
America. We do not like the idea OF cultivating
INTO power foreign people within oar own
Northern or Southern boundaries. Let US then
Tor - moment place ourselves in the position Of
.Tsncr. and Imagine what our feeling, would
be under late circumstances. Some writer's there
are who tndeaNor 10 drag into the coming con-
test feeling OF relriot,s , hatred. War is ter
rIhie III all ~ aspects, ami sufficiently horrible
without adding to 1t this disbOlical and internal
fuel. But in fact there Is no truth in the idea
Of any religious or anti-reilgious feeling being
the cause OF or incentive to this war 1t is
merely q lust Of power, Of conquest of
eyten-lon OF domain, of Supremacy on
the continent Of Europe, aud pcrhaps
afterwards elsewhere, for IL is insa.iaile and
grows raNcnous from " hat il absOrby. Ii the
feeling on ItheT side is what il Is claimed to he
national the Catholic Prussian will be a. ardent
as the Protestant Frenchman in the cause of
heir respective country, and would no doubt
resent a. an insult any imputatiOn 10 the con-
TaIy, and it Will be found that the Hanoyerian.
who are almost exclusively Of the Protestant
talth. and the other portions OF Germany lately
compelled TO submit TO PTuSsian domination
viii gladly avail themselves OF any opportunity
10 throw of the hated yoke and resume their
independence and set-government. And on the
other hand It II already stated that the army OF
Catholic Bavaria has been amongst the first 10
be consolidated in the 81 corps of the Prussian
army. So much for religious antsgonism II
we. "a n people, do not now wish To remember
That there was once a Lafayette, a Rochambeau,
a ID Estaign, DE Grasse, a DE Chosise and DE
\ Oimeul. and thousands OF Frenchmen who
fought and died for our fathers against an army
OF nercenary hireiIngs. let us at least maintain
an honorable, "A calm and Just neutrality aud
see 10 It, a. we did SO speedily in late event that
our laws are enforced against all who would set
them at defiance, and that no expeditions are
set on foot against any people or nation with
whom we are at peace, and thus keep free from
ali European complications.
Respectfully. .JAL