Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-02-18
From the London Times, Jan. 81.
The Marriage of Napoleon, III.


The Marriage of Napoleon, III.
Since Madame De sSevigne strung together every
expression of amazeuaent in the French language to
describe the impression produced at Court by the
projected marriage OF La Grande Mademolselie
with M. de Lauzen, it may be doubted whether any
Royal or Imperial marriage has caused as much as
constituent in the world the intended alliance of
Louis Napoleon, Emperor OF the French, with Don
ma Eugenia Montjos But the times we live IN are
not like those when the foundations OF the world
seemed to be shaken by violation of the usages of
Court :; and in q country like France, where
rything bears the stamp OF adv enure, we see moth
ing in such marriage that is not extremely appro
pirate to the circumstances of the parties. AS
mere question of personal dignity, Louis Napoleon
has done we'll to show that he is more independent
than supposed OF the formaities OF royalty !;
and though he may become ridiculous when he I'M
tates the traditions habits of the great Courts of
Europe he has an instructive consciousness that his
strength lies in his sympathy with popular predi-
lections, which conceded in this instance with his
own tastes. What would be considered most absurd,
exravagant, and unlocked for in other Princes may
fall naturally into his part and even the pur
poses of his singular destiny neof the secrets Of
his power is its orr gina ty, and he owes large
share OF his successes to abrupt and unforeseen
olutions which it would be impossible to defend up
on any of the ordinary rules Of human conduct
The political combinations founded on royal mar
ragcs commonly worthless that marriage
Of inclination: the French call it, is far better
than ungracious alliance with unknown bride
out Of some declining house and there is nothing
inconeruous in the decision which raises young
Spanish lady, of good family and great personal at
fractions. to the throne of Josephine.
This decision, matter of so much Importance
to his own position and to the future prospects Of
the Empire, is of course the exclusive result of
Louis NapOleOn'S will; and it has been taken
in defiance Of the strenuous opposition of all his
family and all his habitual advisers, with the ex-
ccption, we believe, of N. de Morny. After an in
tmacy with the Emperor of some months duration:
al =, ohO bad
tracted considerable amount of public attention, a
( sense Of what due to her reputation ap-
pears to have led the lady and her mother to an
nouncc their intended return to Madrid since it
was on y as the consort of the Emperor that she
would consent to accept his homage. This blow
had its effect and the imperial Pamela obtains her
reward, in spite of some passages which were
thought to Indicate different con>lusion but which
have left no uAfhvor bic trace on the fame of the
future Empress. The formal announcement of the
marriage will be made to the Senate and the COun-
Gil of State to The Countess Theba and
her mother will then proceed to take up their resi-
dence in the Palace Of the FL ysee, and in two or
three weeks at latest it is believed that the marriage
will be so!emnized.
We learn with some amusement that this roman
tic event in the annals Of the French Empire has
called forth the strongest opposition, and provoked
the utmost irritation among these who have hlther-
to been the warmest adhcrents Of the Bonaparst
cause. The Imperial family, the Council of Minis
ters and the lower lotteries Of the palace or its
purlieus, all affect to regard this marriage as an
amazing humiliation, and they deplore the failure
of the Royal marriages before the tdpiS, if
they were not satisfied with the dignity AID gran
deur of their own Emperor until he had cohabited
with an Archduchcss. We do not pass for very
warm admirers of Louis Napoleon's political career
and on that subject shall, without the permission
Of the Moniteur, continue to express our opinion
but he appears to have acted in this instance with
just appreciation Of the tone of public feeling in
country in which Josephine was regretted and Marie
Louise despised. He has nothing to expect from
the COOL will or the respect Of what is called good
society, for he has never enj oyed them He has
nothing to gain by a nearer personal alliance with
the Courts of Europe, for lie does not belong tt
them and they cannot trust him. But he is the
ruler of France, invested with absolute power, anC
VIC heartily wish that he had never used it for any
worse purpose than to marry woman whom he
likes. As even the greatest King who ever reigneC
at Versailles married the widow Scarron, and vec
with her as his candestine Queen, we can see nt
reason Why an Empress should not be created il
these days on far easier terms
There is, however, one Inference to be drawn from
y this occurrence which may be deemed more signih
can't. This marriage is another, and very striking
instance of the mpcnetrable secrecy and uncOntrol
able Wilfuness which Louis Napoleon forms and acts
upon his propensities and resolutions No doubt
~ all the ordinary considerations of policy, de :orum
> personal dignity, and usage might be urged, anC
. have been urged, against this marriage All The
Ministers demonstrated several of them resigned il
|
: and contempt with which such an alliance would ht
. spoken of in the salons of Paris and the Courts 0
e Europe. Louis Napoleon heard what they had tc
say, refused to accept their resignations and con
frmed his decision by ordering NJ. Fould to make
the formal demand Of the young lady's hand We
II are not as we have said disposed to take an unfa
yorable view Of this decision but it is impossible
! not to that State in which such events pos
Sble is governed by coHps de tee and that any othe
: sudden caprice of desire, resentment ambition
II which should get possession Of the Imperial mind
o existing moles Of opposition. In short wh
= acts thus is not only absolutely without CONTROL bu
l. he takes certain pride in demonstrating that Meth
er the advice Of his Ministers nor the motives by
e which men are commonly afec ed have any power a
L all over Of his decisions The course Of conduc
: to be pursued by such man is wholly beyond thu
+ reach of foresight and of argument 1t is impossi
IL bic to affirm with certainty that there is anything h
5 will not undertake; it is difficult to be prepared fo
y those things which he is secretly intent.
Although this marriage is not calculated to alte
e the opinion entertain of the Imperial Court,
s will not have the effect of raising it's dignity in tn
estimation of foreign States of society at large
J and here, perhaps, Inconvenience. The Northern
: Powers have not recognized the new Emperor will
cordaly, and they Will be still less inclined to hon
or an Empress whom they have known under othe
II circumstances. The marriage of the Emperor in
creases the probability that those hereditary and dy
u naStc claims will be persisted in which have no
't been acknowledged by the rest of Europe. stat
IT Of things in which the reigning head of powerful
and irritable nation is not likely to obtain from for
II eign Powers all the Difference and respect they ar
i accustomed pay each other is not one of great Sc
D. curity. For it must be remembered that as tn
Is continental States have fallen under the yoke of al
Is soue Governments their policy is more likely to
l. affeC ed by the personal considerations bv Whc