Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-09-05

people of France, may see more clearly than even
the able p%ublicists Of that period that the ex-
cesseS of the French revolution grew out OF des-
peration.
The Huns, as now. were spinning the webs OF
intrigue. The Ttuton, then as now, living still
in the middle ages, domineering, mean and sordid,
was determined that France should return to slnv-
cry. Louis NNI. under the influence Of his beau.
tiful wife. Marie Antoinette.. was dominated by
Austria. His court was filled with German spies
and Prussian emiS>arles.
When he found that he could not conquer his
people with French artillery he pretended to ac-
cede to their demands and waited for the help OF
the German war lords, Escaping from Paris, he
had got within a few miles of the border before
he was Intercepted at Varennes. 1t was his in
tent to get Germany to send her armies to compel
his subjects to accept his feudal rule.
Nations become accustomed to changes of gov
eminent slowly when they have been ground
down under the iron heels of despotism. Reckless
and blind as was their king, the people of France
felt that In some way he was their father and
portector and that it would be Il calamity If he
should turn his face from them. In the months
which followed when these children Of the new
order, knowing far | SIS how to govern themselves
than Louis and Marie Antoinette knew how to
rule wisely over them, found their country invad-
cd by Austrtans and PrussIans they gave way to
their rage.
They had been willing to retain even so poor a
king as a constitutional ruler, and he had already
put upon his head the red cap. Had he been firm
enough Of purpose to resist the ~intrigues of the
central powers he might still have saved his face
and his head.
Those were the days when Teuton tyranny was
everywhere spreading Its nets and snares. George
OF England was elector Of Hanover, speaking
German on the British throne and knowing no
English, addressing his ministers I'm dubious
Latin. George II could talk lameIy In the tongue
Of the people whom he professed to govern.
George III was more German if possible than his
predecessors. They had realized that Great Brit.
ain had a constitutional government and left af.
fairs largely to the ministers. He. an exemplnr
Of a middle age outlook, took the advice of his
German mother. "George, be a king"
His obstinacy lost to Great Britain her Aneri.
can colonies. A German. he gave aid and com.
fort to France in seeking to make her yield tc
the demands Of her Bourbon king. His kinsman
the duke Of Brunswick. leading Austria and Prus
sian armies, invaded France and served notice
upon her National Guard that they were liable Il
the death OF traitors.
III their evaporation. the citizens Of an impov
erished nation then guill0tincd the king who wa.
taking no steps to meet the foreign foe and wa.
waiting the oncome Of the Hun to subject then
again to Bourbon tyranny. Hence the Commun,
and the Reign of Terror and those dark hours /,
which a nation in the throes was endeavoring Il
adjust itself TO the problems which followed tn
overthrow Of the Bnstiile.
France came up out of much tribulation into
republican form Of government. She was enjoy
ing peace and plenty when the Hun again crossed
her borders TO impose upon her n yoke which I
the same az that for which stood the dark strong
hold on the Seine long since destroyed.