Year: 1869

All our recent intelligence from Europe
shows that, though the war cloud has not yet
burst, the sunshine of security does not rest
upon the border lands of France and Prussia


There has been no lack Of peace speeches in
France; nor has there been any violent mani
festation of bellicose tendencies in Prussia
But while NJ. de la Valette accepts the situa-
ton in Germany, and while King William
congratulates NJ. de la Valette for his peace
ful sentiments, both Napoleon and Bismarck
reveal their dstrust by providing as best
they can, for the contingencies of the future


1t is impossible to mistake the meaning of GER
tain recent public acts of the French Emperor.


To make war prominent question of the hour


would be dangerous. Itwould tell injuriously


against the government at the elections now
so close at hand Hence the peace policy Of
the present. To carry with him triumphantly


the votes of the French people-this is Ma
poleons immed late purpose. Mark how he
paves the way to success. The Liyret or
Pass Book system was perpetual nuisance
to the workingman. 1t was an ever-present
policeman watching all his movements. 1t
was a government spy which practically


robbed him of his individual liberty. The
workman hated the LiDret, but without il he


could not live. Napoleon has abolished this
system, has set the workman free and secured
his vote. Napoleon has done many clever
things in his day, but, in view of present


exigencies, this is one of the cleverest things
he has done. This, however, is not all. If the
French have weakness it is their passion for


military glory. The new army law, it is true,


has never been largely in favor; but while
this may prove that the French people are
settling down with increasing delight to the
cultivation of the arts Of peace, it certainly
does not prove that they are forgetful of the
glories of the past. Forty thousand veterans


of the First Empire still survive. By way of
marking the hundredth birthday of Napoleon
the First, Napoleon the Third has resolved
very considerably to increase the pensions of
those forty thousand veterans. There has
been some grumbling among the oppostionists,
but the proposal is Enthusiastically popular all
over France, and it cannot fail to have pow
erful influence in favor of the government at
the elections. We say again that the great
object Of Napoleon is to triumph at the elec-
tions-to prove once more to Europe and the
world that France is with him. 1t is scarcely
to be doubted that his object will be accom-
pished. He has made his moves with such
skin that failure is next to impossible. The
elections over, will this peace policy continue?
That is the question which many minds are
now seriously asking themselves, but which
few find themselves competent TO answer.
| We have said already that Count Bismarck ia
| not deceived by peace manifestations. In the
North German Parliament, the other day, he


made speech which furnishes us with key
| to his thoughts. A resolution had been intro
| duced by prominent member in favor of a


responsible ministry for the Northern Confed


Grafton. Count Bismarck opposed the resolu-


ton and in the course Of his speech clearly


showed that he is not in favor Of too much


Capitalization. His fear was that suci


a step, while il would de-Prussianize Prussia


would ALLEVIATE the sympathies of South Ger.


many 1t would deepen and widen the Main


and would practically be shutting the door in


the face OF the Southern States. ''The Soutt


German" he says, "faces the danger ant
| fights like brave soldier when he stands or


the spot where the law has placed him but /


he must risk his person on his own responsi
bility be ponders long time before he doel


it," 1t is perfectly manifest from these words


and, indeed, from the whole tenor of biz


speech, that Bismarck has come to the conclu
sion that Prussia must not be sunk in Ger


many; that the unity of Germany must not be


accomplished by and through Prussian ascend


ancy, bat that the unity and common sympathy


Of the German people will be more effectually
I secured by loose and easy confederation
than by confederation too closely united