The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-06
The Great Ksropeau Coa6ict-The Dynas-
ties and the Peoples.

| general engagement was in progress.
The Chassepot is good the mitralleuse is
horrible but the needle gun is a sound
reliable weapon. The storming of Weiss,n-
burg by the Prussans is a bigger thing than
the carrying Of the heights above Saarbriick
by the French. II would DO absurd, however,
TO predict, on the strength of anything which
has yet taken place, on which side victory is
ultimately 10 lean. Both. armies are brimiul
Of confidence; but while they are only cau-
tiously feeling their way towards each other
II is wise to suspend judgment.
One OF the most amusing things in connec
ton with this war il the interest il has
awakened among ourselves. We are either
French or Prussap. For the one or the other
the people 60 In stO lily. Among the citi-
zens of the United States neutrals are nowhere.
That our sentiments should DO divided is not
wonderful. II is wonderful, however. that tho
separating gulf should be 30 broad and deep and
that on both sides the sentiment should be- 50
keen. France is our ancient ally. In the
dark days which preceded our independence,
when we were struggling hard for sweet life,
French sympathy, French brains and French
swords did US good service. But in our later
struggle, when this great republic, which
really constitutes the hope Of all peoples.
was beset by enemies from within and
by enemies from without, and when our
national life trembled in the balance, Prussia
was our steadfast friend, Borrowing in our
sorrow and rejoicing in our joy; and Of all
our adopted citizens none did us better ser
vice than those brave men who hailed from
Fatherland. To both peoples we are, there
to the one than to the other. II is not unnatu-
raj that Frenchmcn resident with us should
sympathize with France. II is not unnatural
that Germans resident with us should sympa-
thize with Prussia. But 1t is unnatural, and not
a little absurd, that we should allow ourselves,
in spite of our better reason, to be dragged
into two hostile camps, and repeat here
strife in which as nation we have really no
interest. Every citizen of these United
States, no matter from what land he or his
fathers may have hailed, is Or ought to be
first an American. We cannot help looking
on as anxious spectators but our interests as
Americans demand that we should not allow
this foreign quarrel to beget strife and division
| In the midst Of us. Much as we have reason
to deplore this unhappy and unjustifable war,
we ought all to see that we have no reason to
lose by it, and that if we are wise we ought
TO gain.
Much Of that which we have just written il
as applicable to Great Britain as it is to on T.
selves. To every lover of his species, to
every one who is warmly interested in the
welfare and prosperity Of the human family,
it is matter OF sorrow that the possibility
begins to grow into probability that Great
Britain will be dragged into the conflict. The
war spirit of the brave British people is
aroused. The sentiment is strongly 10 favor
OF Prussia If the neutrality Of the soil of
Belgium is violated it is as certain as that the
sun will rise and set tomorrow that
British SHIPS will spread death over the
great waters and that the red coats will min
gle in and give intensity to the fight. We are
not without grudge towards the British gov
eminent and people; they did not behave as
they ought to have done during our late trou-
bles but we can afford TO be magnanimous, and
in the spirit in which one great nation ought ever
to be willing to regard another we recognize
the greatness and the glorious mission Of the
British empire. She is no longer European,
but an Asatic, or, rather, cosmopolitan
Power. We look to her, this whole North
American people looks to her, as the mother
of our language, our literature, our laws All
over the world--in Australia, where she is
laying the foundation of another great English
speaking empire; in India, where she is re-
shaping and remoulding a people who are
destined to carry over the whole of Asia the
blessings of Christian civilization in South
Africa, where she has established agencies
which may yet utilize the unknown wealth of
the African Observation-Disclosures she plants
her standard her mighty influence is in favor
of progress. Ii she enters into this strife the
immediate result will be sweeping destruction;
progress will be checked, aud 1t is not i'm
possible that her influence for good will
be seriously diminished Should Great Britain
ioin in this war IL will be q world wide
calamity.
AS to France and Prussia we must repeat
what We have said again and again: It is a
disgrace to our modern civilization that two
such Powers should 80 unjusti6ably go to war
How much nobier il would have been had
those two great nations joined hands and put
forth their combined strength to hasten on the
reign of universal peace 1t is lamentable TO
reflect on the misery which this war must
create. But the die is cast, and no amount Of
sorrow on our part can now prevent the dread
full conflict. If any consolation can be found
where there Is 80 much cause for sorrow we
find it In this, that il may result to the advan-