... The voice of the English nation has been heard above
the din of arms, and it has asserted the principles of justice and
right. Next to the unalterable attachment of the Belgian people to
their independence, the strongest sentiment which fills their
hearts is that of an imperishable gratitude. [Great applause.]
That was in 1870. Mark what followed. Three or four days after that
document of thanks a French army was wedged up against the Belgian
frontier, every means of escape shut out by a ring of flame from
Prussian cannon. There was one way of escape. What was that? Violating
the neutrality of Belgium. What did they do? The French on that occasion
preferred ruin and humiliation to the breaking of their bond. [Loud
applause.] The French Emperor, the French Marshals, 100,000 gallant
Frenchmen in arms, preferred to be carried captive to the strange land
of their enemies rather than dishonor the name of their country.
[Applause.] It was the last French army in the field. Had they violated
Belgian neutrality the whole history of that war would have been
changed, and yet, when it was the interest of France to break the treaty
then, she did not do it.
"A Scrap of Paper."
It is the interest of Prussia today to break the treaty, and she has
done it.
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