Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-10-08
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
BLACK FORD. TowNLEY x CO.,
PKoPEIEroE
lYNCmBURG. OCTOBER =. 1919.

~. The Paris correspondent ofthe New York
Courier and Enquirer gives an interesting sketch
of the state Of feeling produced by the Ney letter,
which is well calculated 10 arrest the attention OF
the reader. The letter OF the President Of France
10 Col. Ney, the id-de-camp ofthe Commander
in-Chiefo OF the French army in Rome, on lis face
a private communication. but which, subsequent
~, by the act OF the writer, was made 10 assume
the character OF a public manifesto, is a very re-
markable document, and may be fraught with
grave consequences. It's style is most imperial.
II is such a letter as the writer's uncle, in the
acme OF his power and glory, might have written.
The motives which prompted him 10 this course
are speculated upon by "Cosmopolite." and we
need not here alInde to them. 1t is gratifying,
at any rate, that this unconstitutional mode Of
proceeding-this assumption of the one-man pow
er is in iayorof liberal views. The three or
four points of policy, which the letter indicates as
those which will be insisted upon by France EN-
brace all the reforms al Rome which could be
hoped for, under present circumstances. They
are all Of such character as TO warrant the opinion
that not one will be agreed to by the Pope, Aus
tria, or Russia. II Louis Napoleon, therefore,
do not make himself and his Government ridicu-
lous by disavowing the letter-lf its policy be Of
ficially announced as that which shall govern
France in the affairs of the Pope-we really do
not perceive how conflict is to be avoided
The letter is in unison with the feelings ofthe
mass of The French people. The section of which
Mr.. de Falloux Is the representative in the cabi-
net Is neither numerous nor influential. Rever-
ence for papal authority never was predominant
IN France, and is now at a very low ebb. The
Gallo Church, for near two centuries, has pre-
served a sort of jealousy and independence ofthe
Holy See. II has, on many occasions, resisted
Ms interference and denied lis AUTHORITY. Appeals
to the religious sentiment in behalf of the Pope
,ppIIJ ha nm nxa,Iinr Thn In,r e., ,nol, .a-oo1,
is passed in France. Louis Napoleon will doubt
less, do exactly that which he thinks best adapt.
ed 10 promote his personal ends. If he shall
think the imperial crown may be won by eXpell-
ing the Pope and sccularizing the Government of
the Roman States, he will stand up to The Ney
letter, though Austria, backed by Russia, may
sustain the cause of his Holiness. The French
would enter into the contest with the advantages
of military possession of Rome, and the enthusias-
tic support Of the people, not only of the States
OF the Church, but of all Italy. The cause OF
liberty and Italian independence, once espoused
by France and her sincerity manifested by the
presence of a large military force, the whole PEN
insula would be instantly in a state of %insurrec-
ton. Austrian and Russian columns would roll
southwardly and, in a blief period, the lovely and
fertile plains OF LoInbardy be again, for the thou
sandth time, moistened by the blood of contend
ing + lions. Ofthe result of such a struggle we
are taught, by recent events, TO speak with diff
dence. We should hope and pray for the tri-
umph OF the good old cause. We see no other
way in which the c"use of the people against des-
potiSm can have another trial-ior, to embark in
this war, with any hope Of success, France will,
of necessity ,-whatever be Louis Napoleon's per-
sonal wishes aud opinions-be forced to place
herself in the vanguard of freedom. But we
confess utter want of IA til in Louis Napoleon's
head aud heart, and, whilst we should rejoice TO
hear that he was resolved, at whatever price, to
abide by the opinions expressed in the letter to
Col. Ney, we have our misgivings that he may
be frightened or wheedled out of them by the
diplomacy of Austria and Russia, and that the
French army ma" be withdrawn from the Eter.
nal city and the Romans left to shift for them.
selves.
On looking at our files, we find we have pub.
lished merely an abstract of the Ney letter. Il
is important enough to be given in full and we
accordingly Subjoin it:
ELysEE NATIONAL, Aug. Is.
"Mr DEAN NEy-Ihe French Republic has no
sent an army 10 Rome 10 put down Italian liberty, bul
on the contrary. 10 regulate it. by preserving it agains
It's own eNcesses, and To give 1t n solid basis, by replacin.
on the Pontiical throne the prince who Ohe frsl) hm
boldly taken the lead in all useful ref ,rms. learn will
pain that the benevolent intentions ofihe Holy Father
as well as our own action, remain sterile in presence o
hostile passions and influences. The desire of Certain
persons appears 10 be 10 make proscn ption and tyranny
the basis Of the Pope's return. Say 10 General Rosto
Ian, from me, that he is not to pcrnit. that under tn
shadow OF the trlcolored flag, any act be committed whicl
can lower the character of our intervention.
81 thus sum up the restoration of the Pope's iempc
raj power. A general amnesty ; the serularzalion Of III
administration; the code Ma JleJp; and a liberal govern
ment.
: 81 was personally hurt, in reading the proclamation
OF the three cardinals, to preceive that no mention what
ever was made in it Of the name Of France. or of the sn,
ferings Of our brave soldiers. Every insult off red t
or flag, OF our uniform. goes direct 10 NY very heart
aud have 10 request you 10 make il well undersioo,
that, III France does not sell her services, she al least in
s's's on due consideration being paid to her sacrifices an
a her abnegaiipn.
'N hen our armies made the round Of Europe the
leit everywhere. as the mark of their passage. the destrnc
ton OF the abusrs Of %ieudallty, and the germs Of liberty
; 1t shall not he sud that in 1919 a French army can hay
acted IN a diff rent SENSE and brought alb ut different re
suits.
Tell the general to thank, in my name, the arm
, Tor It's noble conduct. | have learned with pain. lha
even physically II was not treated as il ought to hav
been, Nothing ought TO be neglected to suitably pr,
vide accommodation for our troops.
Receive, my dear My, the assurance of my SINGER
)" friendship"
LOUIS NAPOLEON B~oNAPARTE."
The Dcbot. in publishing he letter Of the President
makes the following observations
This letter is already known at Rome, and donh,
less also at Gatia; 1t will he 50 at PARIS. We shal
D. seek 10 maintain for this document a personal anc
non-otiielal character 1t appears impossible to us ta
r the Cabinet could have been ignorant Of il, and we mus
n therefor consider il as an act o; he French Government