Year: 1870

regard TO the future status of the belligerents


in Europe. France, which has assumed to be
the controlling Power in the affairs of the


European continent since the time of the first
Napoleon, and which has claimed to be the first


military Power, as England has to be the first
naval Power. of the Old World, has now lost
her prestige. Though this ambitious assump-
ton has been checked on several occasions
the French have never given up what they


believed TO be their legitimate position and
'"se in Europe. And though they had to sue
comb to the combined power of European
nations, as at Waterloo they have not been
whipped nor has their soil been invaded by
any single foreign foe since the establishment
OF The first empire till the present war. 1t
must be admitted, too, that the wars which
The present Emperor has undertakon, as those


of the Crimea and in Italy against Russia and
Austria, have been remarkably successful


The Emperor showed great skill in the
alliances he made to accomplish his object, and
the French displayed their historic military
ability and bravery on those occasions Both
were proud of what they accomplished and
France rejoiced in the re-establishment of its
military glory and influence in Europe Both
Napoleon and the French people believed
themselves invincible. Looking with jealousy
upon the growing power Of Prussia and the
unity and consolidation of the German people,


particularly after the battle Of Sadowa, they
had the idea that it was their mission to inter-
pose and check this Prussian and German de-
velopmeht, just as they had to curb Russia,
to weaken Austria and to strengthen Italy.
Not that they had any fear of aggressive inter-
ference with France or any assault upon the
integrity Of the French empire; they simply
were ambitious to be, and assumed to be, the
regulators of the balance of power in Europe
from their own point of view. 1t suited the
Emperor Napoleon to pander to this
national ambition and vanity, and, in
deed, he deemed it necessary, probably, to
do 80 to crafty the French people and to per-
petuate his own rule and dynasty. There
was no cause for declaring war against Prus-
sia, as all the world says. and no other
motive than this


We have seen some of the consequences of
this vaulting ambition and national vanity.
How the French people have deceived them
selves and been deceived! How shortsighted
was the Emperor! What fatal mistake he
has made! If the French were to gain victo-
ries now their military prestige would still
remain damaged. If even they could turn the
tide of victory back and drive the Prussians
to the Rhine border again--which is not at all
likely-they have called forth power in Ger
many which they cannot subdue. They could
not pass that wall of fire which they have
llindled in united Germany. They could not
penetrate the heart of the Fatherland. France


is no more the arbiter Of Europe. She is no


longer the regulator of the balance of power
there She has ceased to be the first military
Power. She will continue to be great, and
must always be one of the first Powers of
Europe; but she will no longer be the terror
of nations. Henceforth she will not be able to
disturb the world at her pleasure and for the
sake of glory. United Germany will prevent
that The French might gain some victories,
for they are forty millions of brave people;
but their military prowess is overshadowed by
the events of the last few weeks Humili-
ating as this is to their pride, it will be better
for them in the end, for it will prove the best
guarantee of peace. The French are great
nation and have splendid country, and if
they be cured of their insane ambition for
military glory and aggressive wars they may
become the most prosperous and happy
people in Europe.


This effectual and per manent change in The
status of France among the nations of Europe
and in European affairs is one of the most i'm
portant consequences of the war Another
will be, probably, the end Of the Napoleonic
dynasty and Idses Napoliennes. For nearly
three-q quarters Of century France has been
imbued with the Napoleonic idea. Amid Ill
the revolutions, changes Of dynasty and repub-
lican experiments in that country the people
have always cherished the name and fame
of the great Corsican. The accession of
Louis Napoleon, the nephew, and the sup
port given to him by the French
was not so much on his own account
or merits as for the sake of his famous uncles
memory and for the love France bore for the
name of Napoleon. 1t is but just to say. how
ever, that the Emperor Louis Napoleon has
done good deal in promoting the internal
improvement of France and in adding to the
influence and fame Of the country among the
nations of the world. But he has spoiled all
this and destroyed the Napoleonic prestige
by the fatal mistake he has made and by his
incapacity in the present war. less error or
a disaster of less magni tude might have been
forgiven by the Ere nch, but this is so over
wbelrning and 80 humiliating to the nation
that he cannot overcome it. Still another