Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-10-11
NAPOLEON AND THE EMPIRE

Accounts from the South of France make it ap-
parent that Louis Napoleon has thrown off all dis
guise respecting his designs on the Empire. At
the inauguration of the st atue of Napoleon l. at
Lyons, on the 22d, he made speech so full
of significance, that we copy it entire.
''Lyonnese,' (he said) ''your city has always
been associated by remarkable incidents with the
different phases of the life the Emperor Y gu
hailed him Consul previous to his, crossing the
Alps to gather fresh laurels. You hailed him in
his omnipotence Emperor? and when Europe had
eonflned him on an isla nd, you were again
among the first in 1915, to salute him as Empe.
ror; to-day your city is the first to erect statue
to him. This fact is significant Equestrian
statues are only erected to soyereigns who have
resigned, and it was on that account tho Govern
ments who have preceded mo have ever denied
that homa ge to power of which they would not
admit the legitimacy. And yet who was more
legitimate than the Emperor, thrice elected by
the people, consecrated by the chief of religion,
and recognized by all the continental powers of
Europe, we were united to him by bonds of policy
and by ties of blood! The Emperor was the
mediator between two hostile epochs. He des.
troyed the old regime by reestablishing all that
was good in it. He destroyed the revolutionary
spirit by causing the blessings ofthe Revolution
every where to triumph This is the reason wbv
those who overturned him soon deplored their
triumph. AS for those who defended him, need
n OF call to mind how profoundly they lamented
his downfall. On that account when the people
found themselves free to make choice, they d.
rected their eyes to the heir of Napoleon, and it
Is tor the same motive that from Paris to Lyons,
everywhere on my passage, the unanimous cry of
psoe Emperor! has been raised. But that cry
is much more, in my eyes, recollection that af-
tects my heart than hope that excites my
pride. A faithful servant of my country, shall
ever have but object: that of reconstitutng in
this great country, convulsed by SO many rovolu-
lions and utopian schemes, a peace founded on
Cancellation of persons, on the infexibity of the
principles OF authority, morality, and affection for
the aboring and suffering classes, and of national
dignity. We are only just emerging from those
critical times, when the notions of good and evil
being founded, the best minds were perverted
Prudence and patriotism require that at such PEI
RODS the nation should pause and consid-
or before it fixes its destinies, and i. is still
dlffcult tor me to know under what name | can
render the greatest services 1.-THE humble tile
OF President could facilitate the mission coaGed TO
me, and before aohich did not receGe, should
not iron. personal interest," desire 10 exchange that
taefor the title Of Emperor. Let us, then, deposit
on TINS stone cur homage TO great man. We
thus honor both the glory of France and the gen
erous gratitude ofthe people, aud testify likewise
the ildelity OF the Lyonese to immortal souve-
MRS.
Th speech was received with loud cries of
Vive Empereur. 1t was Immediately trans
mltted by telegraph, and pacaided in the streets
of Paris. The President was last heard of at
Grenoble.