The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-05

published tomorrow
AN INTERVIEW WITH NAroLEoN--A friend
has translated for us NJ BENJAMIN Constants
account of an interview with Napoleon, during
the HUNDRED Days." and we insert it because
it is extremely well rendered from the original.
The curt and pthy style is altogether that of
the Emperor, and excellently initiated in Mr..
Constants abridged reports.--N " Albion.
On the 4th of April, 1915, received the fol-
lowing letter ~'rhe chamberlain on duty has
the honor to inform NJ Benjamin Constant, that
His Majesty, the Emperor, has ordered him to
invite III. Constant to repair immediately to the
Tuileries."
| had no wish to approach Bonaparte did
not believe that the man who had so long exer-
csed the most absolute authority, could be sud
denly converted to ideas of liberty--habts of
despotism are not so easily eradicated But
felt desire to Judge for myself how much we
might hope for him how far experience had
operated on him. | therefore went to the Tu-
ileries. found Bonaparte alone. He first be-
gan the conversation of which | here give only
an analysis. lie did not seek to deceive me as
to his views, nor as to the state Of things. He
did not represent himself as taught by the les
sons of adversely. He did not claim the merit
of returning to love of liberty through incl-
nation. lie co0lly examined, with All impart-
atty too much akin to Indifference, and for his
own sake, what was possible, and what was
preferable. He spoke as follows
| The nation has now for twelve wears been
undisturbed by political agitation, and for year
past it has been without a war; This double
repose has created for the country desire for
movement. 1t wants. or thinks it wants, SEN
ate and assembly, 1t has not always desired
them. 1t threw itself at my feet when reached
the head of affairs. You must remember, for
you opposed me. Where was your fulcrum /?
Where your strength? Nowhere--I took on
myself less authority than was offered to me-
Now all is changed. A weak government, in
imical to the national interests has given to the
people a habit of defending itself and Of trying
to hoodwink the authorities. The taste for con
situations, debates and harangues appears to
have returned. But do not deceive YOURSELF it
is only the minority that wishes for them. The
country, or if you prefer it, the popuace wishes
only for ME. You have not seen how that pop
ulace, rushed after my steps, threw itself from
the mountains, called me, sought for me, saluted
me. Onmy journey from Cannes to the capital,
| did not conquer, only guided-Iam not only,
as has been said, the emperor of the soldiers,
but of the peasants-of the plebians of France.
Therefore, Notwithstanding the past, the people
come back to me. There is sympathy between
us. 1t is not so with the privileged classes
The nobility served me and crowded eagerly
into my ante s--accepted-asked for
even solicited every place that was to be had
had the Montmorencies, Noailes, the Beau
veans, the Montemarts. But there was never
any sympathy The steed curvetted and was
well trained but ! felt him FESTIVE under me,
With the multitude it was otherwise, The
popular nerve thrilled to mlne sprang from
the ranks of the people, and my voice works
upon them. Look at the recruits, those sons of
the peasantry; never flattered them, treated
them roughly. They did not surround me the
less for that; they did not the less cry, "Viue
PEmpereur." 1t was because in me and in them
the same nature existed They regarded me as
their support, their defender against the nobility
4 have now but to make sign, or rather simply
to turn my eyes away, and the aristocracy will
be murdered In all the provinces They have
played their part with such wisdom for the last
six months but will have no yacquerie. II
there be means to govern consttutionally it is
another AFFAIR." wished for the empire of the
world and TO assure it to myself boundless
power was necessary. To govern France alone,
perhaps constitution may be better did
wish for the empire of the world, and who would
not have wished for it, in my place? The world
asked me to rule it Kings and subjects alike
fastened to put themselves under my sceptre
| seldom found any resistance in France, but I
did sometimes meet with it from obscure and I'M
armed Frenchmen-ncver from those Kings
now so proud at no longer having a man of the
people for their equal. See then what can be
done ;inow give your ideas. Public discussio
free election responsible ministers, the liberty
of the press above ALTO stiAe it now were alb
surd; on that head | am CONVINCED am the
man of the people, and if the people really wish
for liberty, | owe it to them. have acknowl-
edged their supremacy, and must listen to their
Wishes nay even 10 their caprlces. ] never
wished to Cypress them for my pleasure.
al had great plans, but destiny had disposed
of them nm no longer conquer; can no
longer be one. know what is, and what is not
possible. have but one mission left-to raise
up France and give her the government that
suits her. do not hate liberty. thrust her
aside, when she stopped my path; but under
stood her, and was educated in her ideas My
work of fifteen years has been destroyed, and
cannot lie recommended; for that twenty years
more, and two millions of men would have to
be sacrificed. Because, now wish for peace,
and shall only obtain it by more victories. |
will not give false hopes; ] have allowed it to
pe s'hu Ii'aI 'hefe are neBotiatlOns on 1901, Out
there are none-I foresee violent struggle,
long war. To support it, the nation must sup
port me- but as her reward she WILL | believe,
ask for liberty. She shall have it, The situa-
tion is novel; only ask to be informed as to
her wants, ] am growing old At forty-fve
one is no longer what one was at thirty. The
repose of a constitutional King may suit me. 1t
will even more certainly suit my son."
| @-
Story OF FRENCH LovER--Rather a rich
l. story hes heen circulating paris roc raoctin