The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-13 00:00:00

The Duke de Persigny on Peace,

A few days since the Duke de Persigny delivered
a speech to the local assembly of Roanne, which has
been published prominently in the Moniteur as of
political interest. He commenced by characterising
agriculture as the most noble of all industries, and
the agricultural classes as the surest supports of the
greatness and riches of nations; drawing attention
to the greatness of England as E 0 much based upon
this principle. He contrasted the political feelings
of the constituencies in the cities and in the agri-
cultural districts. "In one word, in the provinces
and in the country, public opinion, be it Liberal or
Conservative, is really the expression and result of
the ideas and sentiments of all society—that is to
say, of all classes. It is, then, evidently, the most
enlightened opinion. In the great centres of popu-
lation, as there is always that deplorable principle
of the antagonism of classes, that eternal malady of
great cities, which takes the place of the interests of
the country and falsifies its aspirations, it often
happens that the most enlightened part of the popu-
lation is dominated by that which is the most petty."
Referring to the firm establishment of the Empire,
and its superiority to the attacks of party spirit, he
spoke of the union of all the parties from which the
Empire sprang ; for each section might best find in
the Imperial power " the chief satisfaction of its
opinions—the one monarchical unity; another a wise
liberty; and a third democracy. For this great
fusion of old opinions in this newly formed mould,
time was and is still necessary." Speaking then of the
late effort made by the Opposition to win over the
constituencies, he eulogised the representatives of the
agricultural interests as those who would stand firm
by the Government which they had founded, and they
could judge that it had kept its promises to them.
" Order established as it had never before been, the
public fortune nearly doubled, immense works
carried out even during war, and unheard of pros-
perity at home, marching side by side with glory
abroad—this was the history of the 12 years of the
reign. And, nevertheless, gentlemen, beyond this,
and those great things which the empire has done
at home, it is certain that its principal preoccupa-
tion has been to re-establish abroad the indepen-
dence of France, to restore to her liberty of action,
in the world, to tree her from those menaces of co
alition which, since 1815, have ceaselessly weighed
upon her. History will :ell by what prodigies of
ability, courage, and moderation these great objects
have been attained. And now that this part of the
mission of the empire is finished, and its military
Part in Europe closed—now that, gloriously re-
entered into the comity of nations, France has no
other interests than the common interest of Europe
herself—it is evidently ar era of peace which corn
mences for her." But he asks, " How can the em,

pire accomplish this peace ?" and, repudiating the
example of those Governments of expediency which
condemn their country to immobility, he proceeded,
" No, a Government which is called Napoleon is not
constituted for this precarious life. The conditions
of its existence are for it the greatness, the prospe.
rity, the glory of France. But what glory is greater
than to shed the benefits of civilisation to the mil-
lions of Frenchmen who do not yet enjoy them ; to
follow up without flagging the work, so generously
undertaken, of the moral and material amelioration

of the popular classes ; to make healthy unhealthy
districts, to irrigate the plains, to plant with trees
the hills; and, above all, not only to complete our
network of railways, but to finish the neighbouring
roads ? Gentlemen, yon know that the ways of
communication are to a country what arteries are
in a body—if there be parts of the body which, by
the vessels being obstructed, no more receive and

retain the blood, a paralysis or a stoppage of life
supervenes. Millions of habitations, by the
want of roads or their bad state, still have only an
imperfect communication with the centres of civi-
lisation, with the regions of production and of con-
sumption. The value of produce weighed down by
the costs of transit cannot remunerate the labour.

Regions deprived of the ways of communication are
condemned to misery, and a mass of riches is lost to

• .
the country." After pointing out the advances
which have already been made by the Emperor
towards remedying the evils thus set forth, and the
power and means which he possesses to carry on
the great work, the Duke de Persigny says—" The
application of his system has commenced in Paris ;
the same thing has been done at Lyons and in other
cities, and everywhere with analogous results. The
Etnpire is not limited to give its attention only to
the great cities." The speech concludes with an
eulogy on the prosperity of France, and its identi-
fication with the principles of the Empire.
- -- -
Defeat of the Ring of Dahomey,

The West African mail bought an account of
the defeat of the King of Dahomey in his attack on
the town of Abbeokuta, a summary of which we
published yesterday,
of the battle in 4_
Abbeokaa journal which has
come to hand We find the following account
u

It was on the 15th inst. woen before six o'clock
in the morning the cannot at Aro gate fired a
signal informing the inhabitants of Abbeokuta of
the apprach of the Dahomian army. The weather
was dull and foggy,
but the enemy could be seen at
Aro taking refreshment before commencing their
horrible work. Two more signals in quick suc-
cession told the excited population that the enemy
was approaching. Thousands of warriors were
ready at the walls to give the Dahomians a warm
reception, whilst thousands more ran to the walls
during the
Every preparation had been made for the defence of
the town. The Bashorun (commander-in.chief) had
agthethlaesirt few weeks in the defeat of the enemy.
eeks sent out his spies who
found out the encampment of the enemy ; a runa-
way told him also that the Dahomians would surely
attack Abbeokuta, but it was disbelieved by many.
He had provided each township with plenty of am•
munition, of which there was no lack, although
allowed to be exported from Lagos
past. The enemy had two field-
pieces, which were
placed in position and began to
play, but only one ball reached the town wall,
almost
eets e re defenderst
the
without doing any injury' A column of about 3,000
advanced to within about 50 yards, suddenly dis-
played their flags, extwenedlel, thTehirelivinesllanbd.advahn.cehd
rapidly towards the
had they approached
he in a short time in
behindthe
it,m ye
ecould
enyo tf:lete
the trench within a few yards
than the Egbas poured suddenly such a tremendous
volley from thousands of muskets into the close
lines of the enemy that the progress of the latter
was at once arrested. It was nearly seven o'clock
when the battle commenced. The attacking column
numbered many Amazons; who fought most des-
perately. A sharp fire was kept up on both sides
for nearly an hour. In two places the enemy toiled
to scale the walls with a determination which would
have done credit to the best of European troops.
Some of the Amazons climbed up, but as soon as
they reached the top of the wall with their hands,
the Egbas dragged them over and killed thorn
instantly ; one of these ferocious women had already
bad one of her hands cut off in endeavouring to get
over the wall when she discharged her musket with
the other hand and killed au Egba ; but at the
moment she received a severe cut with the sword,
80 that she fell back into the trench. Only three
or four townships, Ijeun, Kernta, Itelru and Oba
were engaged in the battle ; the others kept to their
posts, as it had been reported that the enemy would
attack their different places. This fierce struggle
lasted about an hour, when the enemy retired a
short distance, being unable to stand the fire of the
Egbas any longer. Already 70 Dahomians lay in
the trench, and as many on the battle field before it.
" The wounded were numerous, and were re-
moved by the enemy ; but many of them afterwards
died. The work of destruction among the Daho-
mians during this hour was frightful ; the Egbas ,

had only two or three dead and about a dozen
wounded. The battle was by this time pretty well
decided, and Abbeokuta saved. As soon as the
enemy retired from the walls the Egbas rushed out
and renewed the battle in the open field. The
Egbas fought nobly; they knew what they wsre
fighting for. All depended on this day ; if de-
feated, they have no friends near. They fought
for their homes, their wives and children, their
country, their liberty, and their lives. For many
years past the Dahomians had carried destruction
and slaughter into the Egba territory—they came
now to make an end to the Egba tribe. The Egbas
were exasperated, and each wanted to do his duty
on this day. The men fought in good order,
though they had only a few leaders; the women
were singing and dancing, being sure of victory.
They carried plenty of water and agidis to the
camp to refresh the fighting men. Many of them
armed themselves with swords, and kept near the
walls in case their assistance should be required.
" A sharp fire was kept up for about two hours
near Aro, the enemy gradually retreating and
leaving great numbers of dead behind them. They
retired tawards Ibera, which town they had de-
stroyed last year; and they were attacked in the
flank by another party of Egbas and lost many of
their carriers, one of their cannon, and several
hundreds of muskets, many of which were quite
new. Some miles beyond Ibara they had their
encampment, which was evacuated ; here the pur-
suing Egbas captured the King's horse, and many
other things belonging to him. Great numbers of
prisoners, men and women, were taken all along the
road ; and in this encampment the second cannon
was captured. Beyond Ishagga, a town which they
destroyed two years ago (also on March 15), the
Dahomians stood once more to check the Egbas in
pursuing them. A severe encounter took place, in
which several Egbas were killed and wounded; but
the Dahomians had heavier losses, and were driven
from the place, Egbas still pursuing closely, killing
and catching many of them. It appears that the
Dahomians had never before experienced such a
total defeat. It is difficult to give the exact number
of dead and of prisoners. From Abbeokuta to
Ishagga, a distance of about 15 miles, above 1,000
dead were counted, whilst beyond that place it is
said that the number of dead was still greater. The
prisoners cannot be fewer than 1,000 or 1,200.
some say above 2,000.

" The Bahamians were probably above 10,000,
but one captive states that their number was
16,000. Thus the Lord has frustrated the diabolic
plan of the Dahomians to capture Abbeokuta, and
many of the heathen recognise the hand of God in
this complete defeat of their enemies. The people
rejoice greatly, and congratulate each other on their
escape. The Lord God of Hosts said—' Hitherto
shalt thou come, but no farther; and here shall thy
proud waves be stayed."