The Duel Between France and Germany | Page 3

The terms of this important stipulation,
marking a stage in German unity, were as follows:--
"The members of the Confederation further bind themselves under no

pretext to make war upon one another, or to pursue their differences by
force of arms, but to submit them to the Diet." [Footnote: Acte pour la
Constitution federative de l'Allemagne du 8 Juin 1815, Art. 11:
Archives Diplomatiques, (Stuttgart et Tubingen, 1821-36,) Vol. IV. p.
15.]
Better words could not be found for the United States of Europe, in the
establishment of that Great Era when the Duel shall cease to be the
recognized Arbiter of Nations.
With this exposition, which I hope is not too long, it is easy to see how
completely a war between two nations is a duel,--and, yet further, how
essential it is to that assured peace which civilization requires, that the
duel, which is no longer tolerated as arbiter between individuals,
between towns, between counties, between provinces, should cease to
be tolerated as such between nations. Take our own country, for
instance. In a controversy between towns, the local law provides a
judicial tribunal; so also in a controversy between counties. Ascending
still higher, suppose a controversy between two States of our Union;
the National Constitution establishes a judicial tribunal, being the
Supreme Court of the United States. But at the next stage there is a
change. Let the controversy arise between two nations, and the
Supreme Law, which is the Law of Nations, establishes, not a judicial
tribunal, but the duel, as arbiter. What is true of our country is true of
other countries where civilization has a foothold, and especially of
France and Germany. The duel, though abolished as arbiter at home, is
continued as arbiter abroad. And since it is recognized by International
Law and subjected to a code, it is in all respects an Institution. War is
an institution sanctioned by International Law, as Slavery, wherever it
exists, is an institution sanctioned by Municipal Law. But this
institution is nothing but the duel of the Dark Ages, prolonged into this
generation, and showing itself in portentous barbarism.

WHY THIS PARALLEL NOW?
Therefore am I right, when I call the existing combat between France
and Germany a Duel. I beg you to believe that I do this with no idle
purpose of illustration or criticism, but because I would prepare the
way for a proper comprehension of the remedy to be applied. How can
this terrible controversy be adjusted? I see no practical method, which

shall reconcile the sensibilities of France with the guaranties due to
Germany, short of a radical change in the War System itself. That
Security for the Future which Germany may justly exact can be
obtained in no way so well as by the disarmament of France, to be
followed naturally by the disarmament of other nations, and the
substitution of some peaceful tribunal for the existing Trial by Battle.
Any dismemberment, or curtailment of territory, will be poor and
inadequate; for it will leave behind a perpetual sting. Something better
must be done.

SUDDENNESS OF THIS WAR.
Never in history has so great a calamity descended so suddenly upon
the Human Family, unless we except the earthquake toppling down
cities and submersing a whole coast in a single night. But how small all
that has ensued from any such convulsion, compared with the
desolation and destruction already produced by this war! From the first
murmur to the outbreak was a brief moment of time, as between the
flash of lightning and the bursting of the thunder.
At the beginning of July there was peace without suspicion of
interruption. The Legislative Body had just discussed a proposition for
the reduction of the annual Army Contingent. At Berlin the Parliament
was not in session. Count Bismarck was at his country home in
Pomerania, the King enjoying himself at Ems. How sudden and
unexpected the change will appear from an illustrative circumstance. M.
Prevost-Paradol, of rare talent and unhappy destiny, newly appointed
Minister to the United States, embarked at Havre on the 1st of July, and
reached Washington on the morning of the 14th of July. He assured me
that when he left France there was no talk or thought of war. During his
brief summer voyage the whole startling event had begun and
culminated. Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen being
invited to become candidate for the throne of Spain, France promptly
sent her defiance to Prussia, followed a few days later by formal
Declaration of War. The Minister was oppressed by the grave tidings
coming upon him so unprepared, and sought relief in self- slaughter,
being the first victim of the war. Everything moved with a rapidity
borrowed from the new forces supplied by human invention, and the
Gates of War swung wide