The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-07-30
EXPERIENCE SHOULD TEACH.
THE EXAMPLE OF FRANCE THE ONLY HOPE
FOR THE UNITED STATES.

THE EXAMPLE OF FRANCE THE ONLY HOPE
FOR THE UNITED STATES.
| fPomeroy's DemocratI
| No nation in the world has had more
| varied experience than France in almost
| everything from the acquisition of wealth
by the tillsge of the soil and commercial
| activity to the conquest of opposing ma
| tions at the point of the sword and by the
| arts of diplomacy. Cut and furrowed by
| WAT from boundary to boundary sacked,
pillaged and devastated by the coDtending
| armies of Rome and the northern barbara
| ans, and harrassed for ages by defections
within and attacks from without, France can
justly boast an experience which includes
every phase of human activity, every vicis-
situde of capricious fortune, every lesson
which can direct the steps or inspire the
emulation of all classes of men and nations
from husbandmen to warriors and philos-
ophers, from nomadic tribes to kingdoms
and republics. In all leading characterize
tics its people have been substantially
alike from Brennus to Martel, Bayard,
Turenne and Napoleon /; from Charlamsgne
to Louis TX, Pascal and Fepelon from
Richelieu to Colbert aRd Theirs. It has
produced many Of the most gifted philoso-
pliers, statesmen, scientists, historians, ora
tors and poets that have ever appeared on
the worlds stage of action. And yet
the generality of its citizens have al
ways been distinguished by a light
beartedness and apparent improvidence
which would justify the inference that no
people could be more back ward than they
in the substantial attributes of mind and
body inseparable from secure and steady
progress in material prosperity, mental
acumen and valuable knowledge, Many of
them have been noted for frivolity. Some
of them have sacrificed their lives to levity
and fashion. Others have been incorrigibly
sour and cynical. But, regarding the peo-
pie in their entirety, these lighter shades
and varieties of character disappear, or
serve only to shade as in picture the fun
and rounded outlines of noble constancy,
uncompromising patriotism, salutary fru
gality, persistent industry, uncommon
prescieHce, high courage and extraordi-
nary aptitude. With territory not 30
large in area as Texas, France has exer-
cised greater influence upon the history of
the world and done more to shape the des-
tiny of mankind than any other nation
of modern times. It has led the van of
human progress for ages, and it is now
far ahead of lother countries in the sciences,
the arts and sound government. Dishonesty
among officials is as rare in that country as
it is common here. None but men of cali
bre who have well earned the distinguished
honor of serving their country in important
trusts are chosen for positions of respon-
sibility. This has been signally illustra-
ted under the republic. A few short
years ago the glories acquired on the
martial field in the early part of our CEN
tury were almost obscured. It mattered
not that the pyramids, grim witnesses of
1000 years, had locke down upon the fiery
valor and glorious victory of the impetuous
Franks; it made no difference that Lodi,
Austerlitz, jena, Friedlsnd and Marengo
had seen them triumph, or that all Europe
wss at their mercy, when the great Napo-
leon lived,-these things were all obscured a
few years ago, when Gravelotte, Metz, Sc
dan and Paris were added to the blood
stained pages of history. With these har-
rowing reverses, destruction stalked un-
bridled over the vine clad hills and through
the fertile valleys of France, leaving burn
ed villages. devastated fields and a scatter
ed peasantry in its widespread track.
Months of exhausting war debilitated the ma
ton, destroyed the organized army and left
only a modified peasautry to oppose the
most thoroughly disciplined soidiery in
the world. Disease, death, starvation and
despair, spread slowly like An impene-
trable and euervating pail of gloom, over
the land. The law was without an execu-
tive, the government without head, and
the army without recognized leaders. Fin
ally, when the nation was crushed to the
very earth, the conquerer dictated his own
terms, seized upon two fair provinces
and imposed charge of indemnity of
| 81 ,OOO, DOC, 600 upon exhausted, beaten and
| beCRared France. Its previous debt was
[ great. It's war debt was at least equal to
| the five milliards of france which the Ger
mans imposed and exacted. Its Losses
in war material were hardly computa5le.
But scarcely had the GermaDs put away
their death-spreading needle-guns and
| given the people q respite when q multi
tude of designing knaves in Paris sought to
re-enact the scenes of 1892, and rose in arms
| against the government. Then was wit
messed the Iamentable and humiliatiDg spec
tacIe of Frenchmen in arms against French
men. All the world looked on in sorrow
and the glory of France appeared to be end
ed forever. Yet Theirs, who was then il
charge of the government, and who is the
ablest statesman, as well as one of the
grandest old men living, put forth vigorous
Efforts, subdued the frenzied insurgents, re-
stored the nation to peace, called about
him as advisers and assistants the purest
men in France, resorted to the general use
of paper money as the only means of get
ting the nation out of its difficulties, paid
in regular and rapidly succeeding install
ments the 81, 600, O0O, 900 in gold demanded
by Germany, paid the soldiers and militis
for their services, Unidentified the farmers
\ A. al a. till al DE- oS