, 1875-06-12

Most of the perils which we have specified are
not new they have been a standing menace
for years. At no time, indeed, since the Cri-
mean War could the outlook have been said
to be more cheering than it is to-day, and on
some occasions, as history now %testifes, it was
far darker. What causes alarm at the present
time is not so much new dangers as the heat
ed state of feeling % the Continent. Nation
al grudges may slumber on for years, or even
for generations, scarcely suspected by any per-
sons save trained Diplomatists, and then they
may start into overwhelming magnitude at
the touch of what seems a trivial accident.
Just as individual men are sometimes in
such a state of nervous excitement that they
will find a deadly insult in some word or act
which they would have scarcely noticed in
their happier moods, so nations seem to
lie in wait for occasions Of quarrel when
they are heated by the apprehension OF
coming danger. Otherwise it would be
impossible to account for the declaration of
war which NAPOLEON III. made against Prus-
STA merely because King WILLIAM would not
forbid his kinsman, the Prince of HoHENZob-
LERN, to accept the Throne Of Spain in some
absolutely speculative future. An emptier
excuse was never rendered for an act which
imperilled the existence of two great nations.
But the real cause was the excited state OF
feeling among the political classes IN france,
their firm belief that Prussia was waiting ior an
opportunity to strike, and, perhaps, the uneasy
conviction of the EMPEROR that som0 great
military triumph was needed to strengthen his
dynasty. There is every reason to believe
that the panic was groundless, and but for it
the Peace Of Europe would never have been
disturbed by so trivial an agent as the Prince
of HOHENZOLLERN. On the other hand, such
states of excitement may pass as quickly as
they come, leaving rival j~ealOusies and ambl-
tons to slumber for another generation, and in
the meanwhile to be dulled by time. Now,
it is the chief business of craftsmanship to keep
nations cool in those critical, but 1eeting stages
of excitement by setting clearly before them
the real, and not the imaginary, dimensions OF
the event which may be the occasion of the
quarrel. In many cases the fever can thus be
allayed, and then the rival disputants wonder
at their momentary heat. We are assuming,
of course, that craftsmanship is on the side of
Peace, for if it be in favour of War it
will infame rather than appease the popu.
lar passion, and it may seize the first
pretext to strike that events may offer. But
we are entitled to believe that Prince Bis
MARCK as we'll as the Duo DEcAZEs is
really eager for Peace. If the French Min
lister knows that another great War might
bring France to the brink of political destruc-
tion, the German CHANCELLOR must be equally
aware that it might p~erilously strain the ties be-
tween the several members of the young En-
pire. Prince BISMARCK will not put his infu-
ence into the scale of War unless he should see
a near danger, and there is no immediate peril,
except in the heated state of popular feeling.
He can calm the apprehensions of his country
men, and the Due DEcAZEs can help 20 soothe
the excitement of France. We do not disguise
the reality of the danger which is caused by the
fact that Alsace and Lorraine are now German
Provinces. To do so would be to invite a false
confidence. But it is precisely one of those
perils which diminish with time. The memory
of the loss will grow less keen, the people of the
conquered Provinces may be expected to be-
come reconciled to their new relations, and
when they no longer call for deliverance France
viii have lost one of the most powerful induce
ments to. attack Germany. The alliances. of
the future also promise to be on the side of
Peace. Being the first military Power In Eu-
rope, Germany will have a far better prospect
than France of securing allies if she will only
curb the ,restlessness of her military class.
Being q Protestant State, she has on her sidethe
chief social and political influences of the age.
Therefore she may hope that, if she is ruled
with anything like wisdom, she will keep her
supremacy. and thus lessen the danger of an at
tempt to regain Alsace and Lorraine. For that
reason the supreme duty of German statesman
ship is not to prscipitate War, but to gain time,
and on that fact we base our chief hopes Of
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