Correspondence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 15, Issue 2012, 9 December 1870, Page 2

Correspondence.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sib,— ln your leader of the 2nd December you quote from the late telegrams via Suez:— "The Germans held a grand religious ceremony prior to the commencement of the bombardment of Paris," and you comment upon it in the following terms :-— " The fact that a nation can have the audacity, after refusing terms of peace, which may justly be termed magnificent, to ask God to assist them in plundering and massacring their already fullen enemies, is a sure sign that that nations belief in God has ceased to exist." In this one sentence you accuse the German nation of atheism, hypocrisy, cruelty, and robbery. I should not have felt very much surprised to find the above sentence, under present circumstances, in a French paper, but I was struck with astonishment to read it here. Before going into the grave charges you have made, I may state, that I am under the impression that you have misunderstood the meaning of the term " religious festival." To my mind this conveys .the idea that a general holiday and thanksgiving day has been appointed in Germany for the fall of Metz,Jhe largest fortresß^Ecance, with anarmy oin^OODnfieni^^ch event would, ., in all probability, augment the prospects of peace, so much desired by the Landwehr men. Some pious people, very likely and naturally, have added the prayer for the speedy surrender of Paris, as this would probably lead to peace. All this appears to me very natural, and I dare say that many a wife, mother, and sister, have committed the monstrous crime of praying for the fall of Paris, but I. believe that we will find precedents of a general day of thanksgiving, even in Great Britain, after the battle of Waterloo, and prior to the second occupation of Paris, if we turn over the papers of that time. I admit that it does not appear very Christian-like to pray for the downfall of our enemies, but it is very natural, and I feel sure that the majority of your readers will fail to consider the prayer for the speedy fall of Paris as a proof of atheism. The Germans, as a rule, are as sincere Christians as the British ; the North as Protestants, and the South as zealous Catholics, according to the ordinary test, which seems to consist in regular attendance at church, and in saying grace at meal times. But, Sir, if you admit the test of the criminal calendar, you will find that the rarity of crime would indicate Prussia as the most Christian country in Europe. I admit that Germany has many ultra-rationalists, bub my experience leads me to believe that the proportion is not greater there than in other countries ; the difference is merely, that a man is not "black-balled" in Prussia for owning ultra free views, while society may turn against him elsewhere. Referring to your charge of cruelty "by massacring these already fallen enemies," I have, after perusal of all obtainable papers, not been able to justify it in the remotest degree; but, on the contrary, I make bold to say that history has no parallel to the generosity displayed by the Germans, who allowed the garrison of Toul, which had fought so well and so obstinately, to go at large, and who liberated 12,000 French officers on parole when taken at Metz. Mind, Sir, that was done by the men who were wounded to the quick by the insulting songs of the French soldiers, promising them their dunghills to rot upon in captioity, as at the time of the first Empire. Even at the siege of Paris, the Germans bave shown the same forbearance. Instead of bombarding the city with their long-ranged " Krupp" guns, they have merely gradually tightened the iron band round her without firing a shot but in defence against sorties, evidently with the view of coercing the city into a surrender without damaging her by bombardment. The temptation to make a quick end of the siege by bombardment must have been great, as the winter was rapidly approachIng. You will say perhaps that there was no need for taking Paris, but on referring to your late telegrams you will perceive that, although the Tours Government was anxious to come to terms, Paris refused to acknowledge them ; and you know, sir, that Paris has been France for many years, and that she will be France again, as far as Government is concerned. This refusal of Paris to be ruled by the Tours Government settles the question about the magnificent terms of peace offered, which you say the Germans have declined, otherwise I should take the liberty of reminding you of the rise and fall of the present European nations, which might suggest the measure of magnificent terms of peace. We would be able to see then, what other nations did after a victorious campaign. Your charge of robbery seems to based upon the contributions on kind and coin levied, but this is the system which has bceu followed by the French under the First Empire, and which had been avowed beforehand in this wat^by. them, who went so far as not to make efficient preparations, reckoning upon the provisions to be obtained in Germany. But the fact is, Sir, that, as I have stated some time ago, public sympathy has changed over to the French side, and you but act upon the principle of " follow my leader." Ido not blame you for doing so, but your feelings for France should not carry you so far as to tax the nation, which claims to be second to none, morally and intellectually, with great crimes. Far from blaming you for your change of opinion, I even go a step further, and I shall read with pleasure any article in your valuable paper written in that spirit for many reasons, viz. : — (Ist.) Sympathy with the fallen suits the generous heart of the British nation. (2nd.) It will be agreeable to the feelings of some old ladies in France and other countries. (3rd.) It is very cheap, in fact it doe 3 not cost anything. Lastly, it does not interfere with the movements of those silent blue battalions on France, who, following their "Berlin Professors," as Napoleon used to call them, do march forwards. Yours, &C, COSMOPOLITE. Napier, December 8.