n of our patriotism. A race which
forgets the brutal insults of superior force deserves slavery. Italy
would never have reconquered Milan and Venice had she resigned herself to
see them pass under the yoke of the stranger. Forty years and more had
passed since the 2nd of May, [5] when Prince Napoleon thought fit to send
Prince Jerome as Ambassador to Madrid. He was forced to leave it.
Princess Murat was in no way responsible for what the French Generals had
done. She came in the suite of the Empress Eugenie, but Spain found a
way to make her displeasure manifest without any lack of courtesy. To
the Empress Frederick, France has shown a melancholy kind of astonishment
rather than dislike, and has displayed an infinite courtesy. Not a
single demonstration, not a gesture, not a word from the population of
Paris has done anything to detract from the city's world-wide reputation
for hospitality.

The Emperor William I and Bismarck, who pretended to make war only
against the Empire, would have shown themselves to be great and
far-seeing political minds had they left Republican France in possession
of the whole of her territory. Although beaten at Sedan, she would have
remembered Jena, and Germany's revenge would have quickly been forgotten.

Let us remember the words of the Emperor of Germany--

"I would rather that all my people should fall upon the field of battle
than give back to France a single clover-field of Alsace-Lorraine."

The _Post_ of Strasburg, recalling this declaration, adds--

"The French _bourgeoisie_ is too cowardly to begin a war. It is willing
to smile at the words of Deroulede, but does not move. The people of
Alsace-Lorraine have done quite rightly in turning away from these
talkers. We have _permitted_ them to become Germans, why then, should
they refuse the privilege?"

But William II continues to evoke the red vision of France militant, in
order to obtain the vote for his military credits. It would seem that
his liberalism has gone to join his socialism. At the dinner of the
Brandenburgers he said "God inspires me; the people and the nation owe me
their obedience." No matter whether he bungles or blunders, God alone is
responsible, and it is not for the people or the nation to argue. And
what is more, has not the new President of the Evangelical Church just
proclaimed William II as _summus episcopus_? Just as William claims to
decide infallibly every political question he