The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-03-07
The Redemption Of France.

The Redemption Of France. 'lJ
Whatever may be the defects of the French
national character they are counterbalanced BY
great and noble virtues, among which may b.
numbered an intense patriotism. 1t is true
that this virtue has often been exaggerated
and has led to disregard ofthe rights of othel
nations and love of, conquest, ending, in the
last war, in disaster and humiliation. But il
has often saved the country from despair anc
final ruin and historians have justly remarked
that the periods of frances deepest depression
have been followed by such rapid recuperatior
as to astonish the world and to replace her once
more in the front rank of nations.
Since the treaty of Bretigny, in 1870, which
stripped the France of that day of more than
half her territory, no disaster has equalled that
of 1870. Six months of successive defeats, un-
relieved by one gleam of success, left France
exhausted, mutiiated, bleeding at every pore
and burdened with WAR contribution un-
eaualled in all history. To the woes of foreign
war and conquest were added the horrors and
the fearful ruin of civil strife. There seemed
to be no relief in the present and no hope for
the future; and there would be none but for
the patriotism of the French people. Taxed
heavily as they are and must be for years to
come, they will not wait for their government
to pay off the war indemnity. A great national
movement has begun in France, extending to
all her colonies and even to all the foreign
lands where her sons are scattered, having for
its object the prompt deliverance of the prov.
inces held in pledge BY the German army OF
occupation. Voluntary subscriptions have been
opened all over the land for the payment of
the indemnity. Every class of society, every
shade of opinion has united in this patriotic
purpose, the poor giving their mite, and the
rich of their abundance. The Bishops and
Archbishops urge their clergy to preach it to
the people. Manufacturers and workmen vie
with each other in their contributions. Women
are giving up their jewelry, soldiers their med
ais of honor, and all government employees,
civil and military a portion of their salaries.
Every corporation is contributing, according to
its magnitude, railroads, banks &C.; and all the
newspapers in France, besides subscribing
themselves, devote their columns to the promo
ton of the good work. Not only is it so in
France, but the patriotic and generous example
has struck a sympathetic chord in other coun-
tries. The Bank of England heads list of
subscription in London; and from Brussels,
Geneva, and other European capitals, come
liberal contributions. In New York several
thousand dollars have been realized in three
davs, and many Germans have generously
ada.l their names to the subscription list
But there is one feature Is this movement
that awakes sad and sweet memories il South
ern hearts, and brings us back to former days.
In France, as in the South, it is the women
who take the lead in the patriotic impulse and
not only so, it was the women ofthe conquered
and devasted provinces who initiated the entire
movement. The ladies of Mulhausen, now
Germanized by conquest, but still French at
heart, organized the first subscription, soon fol-
lowed by the ladies of Lorraine, and by those
of heroic Strasburg. Though now separated
from their dearly beloved country, they still
wish to bear her burdens and alleviate her suf-
ferings. The town of Nancy, so fearfully tried
during the war, with comparatively small
population, has already contributed 1,500, 600
francs towards the national ransom, and as a
general thing it will be found in France, as it
has been with us, that those who suffered most
are those who give most literally. They have
felt "the iron enter their souls" and they
know how to feel for others woes.
The patriotic impulse is one with which all
nations should sympathize. The Germans
themselves, who so bravely redeemed their land
from the tyranny of the first Napoleon, cannot
object to movement whose object is to satisfy
their demands, and to send back their armies
to their native homes God speed the day when
all nations, satisfied with their own possessions,
will cease to covet their neghbor's provinces,
and will strive with each other only in the
peaceful race of improvement and civilization
Would it not be timely and graceful act on
the part of prosperous America to aid in light
ening the heavy burden of the ancient ally who
helped her in the day of her trial p Whining
ton journal.