Year: 1870

sharp and well defined, Is at least Ineligible


and full Of interest. The empire Is dead. So


for the present Is Bonapartlsm. The republic


has spurted out and shown some signs OF life.


Meanwhile the Prussian hosts march forward,


determined to lose no time, no opportunity to


make their purpose good. The result Of the


great battle of Sedan, although 1t has given us


good reason to hope that the war cannot last,


cannot be said to have rs yet simplifled the


situation. The war continues and the French


government has been revolutionized.


Up until the news arrived informing us OF


the result Of the last great battle our duty was


simple. We had to consider the situation on
the battle field. The question was,
which of two great nations should prove
strongest and most successful in an
armed struggle. Now, however, that
the French Emperor Is Prussian pri-
souer; that the best General France could
boast of is dangerously wounded; that the
best army France sent into the field is practi-
cally annihilated; that France is passing
through an agony begotten by an enemy on
her soil and by internal revolution, we have
to consider situation which is peculiarly COM
plicated. The situation is at once military
and political. In a military point of view the
situation is simple and perfectly Ineligible.
The Prussian, or, as we should rather name
them, the German hosts, flushed with sue
cess, and with such success as perhaps no
army has ever experienced In the whole his
tory Of war, move steadily on to fresh victo-
ries. While we write they are well advanced
ON their way to Paris. Another couple of
days will, in all probability, inform us that the


armies Of King William are in full view of
Paris. We are not unmindful Of the efforts
which are being made by the new French
government to give the invading foe warm
welcome. We are not forgetful of the strength
of Paris and of the advantages which her
peculiar position by art if not by nature gives
her to sustain siege. We are not oblivious
to the noble doings Of the French people at
the commencement Of this century, when the
frst outburst of unrestrained and imperfectly
directed national life repelled the oficious and
meddlesome invaders. But mindful as we
are Of all these things, we cannot resist the
conviction that If resistance is finally deter
mined upon by the new government resistance
will be vain. With what seemed to the world
o strong government, France has been found
wholly unequal to her Northern foe. With
transitional or provisional government
government which in point Of fact is no govern
ment-the chances that France can now drive
the Germans by force Of arms from her soil
are small indeed AS it is not impossible that
an armistice may be speedily agreed to the
political situation assumes more Importance
than the military.


What are the chances of the new govern
ment? IF we judge from the telegraEhic
dispatches, and if we allow our wishes to
father our Judgments, we shall be compelled to
say that the republic now initiated must be a
success. To all outward appearance France
has gone heartily, even enthusiastically, in for
it. 1t is not Paris alone, but almost every
large centre of population which has cried out
In tones Of thunder, eViue la repu6Eque."
The transition, too, seems to have been 80
easy that one has no choice but say that the
French people have been waiting for their
and that having found 1t they
have had no difficulty In taking advantage of
1t and making their long cherished purpose
good. The feeling seems to be universal that
the empire, which has proved failure, was
fraud throughout; and 1t is not to be denied
that the surrender Of Napoleon, with all Its
attendant circumstances, largely justi6es this
feeling. The empire was tolerated, trusted
In fact, because it was believed that the
empire was strong. Since 1889 the French
people have had-and whatever results from
the present crisis they ever will have-a pre-
ference for republic. On every occasion,
when the opportunity has been given
them, their desires have been openly
expressed. 1t was 80 in 1880. It
was so in 1S4S. It is 80 now in 1870. In 1880
the opportunity was small and success was
next to impossible. In 1s48 the opportunity
was great; but the blind alteration of name
ruined all. The opportunity now offered the
French people cannot be spoken of with much
confidence as yet; but it is safe to say, that
the bugbear of name which ruined the hopes
of 184S is but little likely to disturb them now.
We cannot say we are satisfied with the
men who have come to the surface and who
have assumed the reins of power. Where is M.
Thiersp Where is NJ Guizot? Why are they
keeping out Of the wayp Is Trochu on their
side9 Do they mediate restoration? M.
Jules Favre has, it is said, set out to meet King
William. Let us hope that his mission will be
successful and that peace will give the republic
a fair opportunity. Let us hope, too, that
the mob will give proof that a tyrant is un-
necessary.