The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-25

VI ~ COA ~ lAVO APAAoO #5& IN
lethargy seemed to have taken
hold upon the very heart Of
the nation. Such was the
condition Of France when the violence of
the Franco German war Overruled her.
The declaration of the candidature of Prince
Leopold to the throne Of Spain, was the
nominal cause of the war, and in fact the
cause that precipitated matters. Here nearly
the entire blame falls upon Napoleon the
Little. Feeling the insecurity Of his throne, |
and knowing that the French people were
liable at any moment to rise in their indig-
nation and depose him, he ventured to
hazard all on the doubtful chance of war,
and by directing the eyes of all to the army
withdraw them from himself. Although
Napoleon was willing to make the candida
ture of Prince Leopold a pretext for war,
there can be no doubling that Prussia really
rejoiced at the repulse. She wanted war
and for years had been preparing for the
conflict. Never before had she been SO
powerful; never had France been SO weak.
The recent successful engagement with
Austria had left the German army on
a splendid war footing and raised
to the utmost height the military ardor of
her people. Now, if ever, was the time to
strike her rival a fatal blow. For alone, she
could only hope to be successful against the
French when they were disorganized and
unprepared. From the year 100 the policy
Of Prussia had been to acquire territory by
conquest. She had grown from an insig-
nihcant kingdom to one of the most power
full monarchies of Europe by wrestling
PROVINCES from he weaker neighbors. Only
four years before, Austria had suffered the
loss of her northern possessions, and now
Prussia resolved, if possible, to strengthen
her western. frontier by getting control of
the Rhine and the French provinces con-
tiguous to it. She had also another object,
and that was by striking a timely blow, to
establish her supremacy over her rival. Ac-
cordinglv, war had no sooner been declared,
than 500, 900 Germans crossed the Rhine,
leaving behind a reserve force of 400. 900
men.
The rest is soon told. With
this overwhelming force thew met detach-
ments of the French army and overcame
them piece-meal. The Germans we're per-
fectly acquainted with the battle ground.
Their engineers had explored the country
and were better acquainted with the topog-
raphy Of France, at least that position of it
adjatantt to Germany, than the French were
themselves. Their uninterrupted success
was due to the superiority of their numbers
and the horoughness of their regulations.
Had the French been united how different
would have been the result! It was Napo-
Icons war and not the war of the people.
The French were not united. They dis
liked the emperor and would not rally with
enthusiasm to his support. In 1870 the
population of France was as great as that OF
the German states. Had the French beer
n unit'and the, war m Of principle; had
France been the France of to-day, that ma
combined overs of Europe would
| mt no <ro c11oo11n,h Nod IN a cipr1o foo I'm the
contrary, the Marseilles hymn would have
been played in the streets Of Berlin and the
French flag would have tloated triumphantly
from the palace of King William.
Notwithstanding the indemnity Germany
received from France, she is now burdened
with a great debt. Her military system is
weighing her down. While her people are
impoverished to maintain the army, they
dare not disband it, for fear of the retalia.
ting vengeance of the nations around hel
which she has robbed. She fears them, bu
most Of all she fears France, now SO mighty
1t is not against the German people We
speak, but the German government. AL
men of democratic principles hate a powe:
SO %despotic. The day of the divine right O
kings is passing-is past. There must be
change in Germany. Her patriotic sons de
mand it. The spirit of the times demands
it. The Germans are an immense people
They have produced some Of tn
greatest philosophers and poets of modern
times, as we'll as many illustrious scholars
All freedom-loying hearts must desire to Sc
them living under the benign influence Q
republican government.
A tribute of praise to France is justly due
She, with Greece and little Alpine Switzer
land, alone has dared to be free. Surround
ed by hostile monarchies they have pro
claimed democracy and maintained it. TIL
spirit of liberty that now pervades Europ
is mainly due to French influence. TIL
tendency to popular government is becom
ing irresistible. Autocrats tremble on thei
tottering thrones. Already they have mad
great concessions to the people. Within tn
last few years the Austrian government ha
been changed from an absolute to a consti
t%utional monarchy. The same is true O
several other countries of Europe. Eve
the potent car of Russia shows unmistaka
BILE signs of yielding. We may consistent
hope that soon. every nation of Europe wi
enjoya republican form of government-th
only form that is fit for man to live under