Year: 1870

The Principles Represented by France and


Prussia-An Appeal TO the People of the


United States.


The convention of delegates representing the
German Patriotic Aid Society, held lately in
Chicago, have prepared an address to the
American people, from which the following
passages are extracted


When Louis Bonaparte stranged the French Re-
public he found it necessary to call upon the people
for the ratification of his coup detat The President
Providence and the will OF the people OF France
"Divine Providence" he asserted, approved his
perjury, and the French nation desired that hence
forth the VIII OF the perjurer should be the will
OF France. Thus the second Empire hegan with
shame ess lie, and thereby proved itself at once
the legitimate successor Of the first, for the entire
history OF the Napoleonic race is a continual
proof that the Napoeonc system is but an i'm
measurable lie. The first Napoleon proclaimed
himself the banner-bearer of the French Republic,
which pretended to draw the sword but In It's own
peace!" During the reign Of Napoleon i, a. well
as that Of Napoeon Ill, the history OF France how
ever, is an uninterrupted array of aggressive wars.
With soldiers they erected the throne, and bayouets
have ever been their sole foundation. The Empire
is war-miitary glory is the only basis upon which
the Napoleonic dynasty can rest.


The worldwide power of Napoleon / succumbed
when the German people arose, and against the
now stands arraigned under a strong aud powerful
leader. The 1nal result cannot be doubtful. Napo-
leon himself has proclaimed: "A great people,
battling for q just cause, cannot be conquered
France, however s torn within ITSELF 1t is the En-
peror who goes to battle and his cause is accursed,
for he wages most groundless and aggressive war
simply and solely for the purpose Of patching up his
crumbling throne for his son with the blood Of the
German nation. Upon the German side alone battles
q people-a people united and determined-and its
cause is just for it defends its honor and It's SOIL In
this war the King OF Prussia is merely the leader
the unanimously recognized leader Of the nation.
Ever since Napoleon's declaration OF war, united
Germany sprung into life, recognizing but one party


The United ocates first proclaimed the two prin-
cples that the source of sovereignty is not in the
the right to interfere with the internal affairs of
another. These two principles are the foundation
this war Napoleon has presumed to dictate to
Spain to whom she shall offer her crown, and to the
King Of Prussia whom he shall forbid to accept it.
accept ruler chosen by himself. In Mexico the
United States put in their yeto because they would
not tolerate violent Infringement OF these two
principles upon the American Continent Can
they now, without being inconsistent and false
to their principles, sanction Napoleons demands
garding the Spanish question: But the question of
the Spanish crown was only an empty pretext for
battle Of sadowa. France was no longer the first
power In Europe, and Napoleon feared the increas-
ing power OF Prussia. His fears We're well founded
for the subsequent conduct OF the Southern Ger
mans has shown that, 70 them, the transformation
of Prussia into Germany is not the most terrible
gathered together the scanty savings OF lifetime
for investment in American securities, for he always
liberty would triumph. II there are those who a9e are
still unconvinced, perhaps their own interest may
induce them to grant their sympathy to the German
cause. The agricultural and commercial interests
of the United States demand speedy and complete
success OF the German arms. Germany has sent us
until now about 900 emigrants per year. This
immigration, which was principally instrumental in
transforming the wilds Of the West into a blooming
landscape, ceases entirely during the war; What an
immense capital in money and labor Is withheld
from the United States simply because Napoleon
saw ut TO interrupt the natural progress OF events
And only If Germany is victorious will this capi-
tai again direct its steady how TO this republic If
she Is conquered and beaten In this struggle then
for many, many years but q meagre stream OF
German money and of German labor will
tend toward these shores Thus the identity of DO
htical principles consanguinity, and the friendship
OF a hundred years, and, at last, commercial and
agricultural interests naturally engage the sympa-
thies of the American people in favor OF the German
cause. We do not expect or desire tnat you should
NEEDLE In the strife. We would be the first to
manner Of assistance which we ourselves render to
our brethren, we WILL in the future, as we have in
the past crcumscrbe our action strictly by the laws
OF the country. But as we can demonstrate our
active sympathy without violating the neutrality
laws, so may the natve-born American.


II the decision OF America is emphaticaiy In favor
or the German cause then the decision OF history is
settled in advance. But II you believe that our
brothers are bleeding for your as well as for
their own, then, we implore you, let your acts de-
mOnstrate your conviction. Do not now close your
hand, which heretofore has always been generously
open wherever suffering was to be appeased tears
10 be dried on yourself have experienced with what
different emotions the soldier faces the enemYs 1re
when he knows that the sufferer in the hospital and
the widows and orphans at home viii meet with kind
hearts and compassionate hands The conscious
ness TO have joined hands with US in assisting bleed


IS In the nature OF things that the moral and mate
rial assistance which America extends TO Germany
will be returned thousandfold, for this war can
only terminate with the complete aunhilation of
all "Napoleonic ideas" 4" and with the permanent
creation OF united Germany, a result which, for
years an score OF years. will secure the peace of