Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-26
Waterloo and Moscow.

These two names suggest to the reader, train OF
reflection, which il uninterrupted must terminate IN
the conviction that while France may feel no love
for Russia, she must necessarily entertain eternal
hatred to England. Waterloo and Moscow passes
historical and political associations, which the care
full student of modern European affairs, will have but
little difficulty in classifying. Napoean has left be-
bind him history of the European alliance against
him. He has in his own glowing language impressed
upon the mind of France the true cause of his diff
culiies, persecution and fall 1t was England that
insgated the alliance which arrayed Russia against
France 1t was gland that thwarted the cont-
nental policy of Napoleon, policy which aimed a
death blow at English influence in Europe. The in
vasion of Russia was necessity brought about by
England. The burning of Moscow was planned and
executed under the direction of English engineers.
The campaign against Russia misfortune not a
defeat. In Egypt Napoleon had met equal disasters
and recovered from them. The very undertaking
of invading the Empire of the Car was thing OF
which any Commander might well be proud. Has
France ever bIushed Tor the invasion of Russia or
felt humbled at the Recollection Of Moscow ? AL
though unsuccessful the campaign against Russia
was the greatest of all Napoleons military achieve
ments. 1t stands a monument to his genius, re-
sources, and determination. France knows every
battle of her great campaign by heart. So does the
world. and there is glory attached to Moscow.
But it upon the field of Waterloo that France
was humbIed 1t was there that her star went down.
1t was surrounded by unequal numbers, betrayed by
British gold and undermined by British influence,
that Napoleon, battling for republican principles,
and in defence Of his beloved France, fell before the
allied force of all Europe. England claimed the
honor of the butchery. She marched her red coats
through France and occupied Paris. She murdered
Napoleon by slow degrees, upon st. Helena She
msrepresented him while living and DETAINED him
when dead. All this has sunk into the mind of
France and rankles there The people mutter-
ing at the present alliance and the English minister
at ST. Cloud, has butte place his upon the ground
to hear the thunder.
of heart and that beats within the breast of the
nephew of the man she murdered. His character
is two fold-threatenous and vindictiye. He has
forgotten Waterloo? Can he forget st. Helena He
has betrayed the liberties of his people and may
betray the interests of England. He have but
one hatred. AS Bonaparte and the Emperor of
France he can, we repeat, have but one hatred If
TO use his own language he is inspired by the ge
MUS of his uncle he realize for France but one
deStiny-Gnd that is not as an ally of England.-
His own selhshness must eventually break the alli
ance. He has betrayed the Republican hopes of
France. This the people bore for the sake of tran
guilty but mostly from his name. Let him continue
the alliance with England, and he must weaken the
hold he has upon the affections of the French peo-
pie. For in the coming struggle the people of
France will forget Moscow as they think of Water
loo and their murdered Emperor. In that trial Eng
land will be betrayed The present Emperor fall
Those best acquainted with his character can under
stand the tenure by which England owes her protec-
ton from utter humiliation. 1t is this want of con-
fdence the part of Prussia and Austria in the
sincerity Of the French Emperor OF the durability of
the alliance, which has decided their neutrality. The
death OF Louis Napoleon would he the overthrow of
Brutus in France ready to strike him to the heart