Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-20

4
ExILEs II PROCLAMATION OF THE
EMPIRE. wrrggt
The machinery of the French Government
once known, there is no difficulty in perceiving
how and by what means the empire was estab-
lished. Louis Napoleon having left nothing
pndone in the way Of suppressing hostile opin-
ions, believed it his duty to go and personally
assure the Frenchmen Of his love and devoted
ness to their interests. The powers established
by him being summoned on the 29th Of March,
1852, he announced that his dictatorial pow
ers were at an end, and that the operations Of
the regular powers were about to commence.
On the 18th of May following he distributed the
imperial eagles to the army assembled in the
Champs de Mars, and on the next occasion,
we believe, pronounced the following words
well worthy of consideration, especially in the
present circumstances. t
Z" The history Of nations Is the most part Of
the time, tie history Of their armies The fate
and cirilization Of the country depends~npon
their success or repwsesn And further:
~ IS 70 be deplored taattle Government has
so little means to REGARD the trials and great
services Of the army" Toincrease the impor-
lance Of the army and enlarge its functions in
the history of nations at time when the name
I of Napoleon was already an harbinger of war,
would have been imprudent in the extreme,
had not the Prince President wished to court
its favor, and make it turn against the people
in case Of need. 1t was also the part Of wis
dom to fatter it, and thus make it hope for a
better future. He commences at first to dis
tribute among the soldiers the imperial eagle
and a few days after institutes medal, as if the
badges of honor already in existence were not
sufficient to show his fondness and gratitude.
If intentions have ever been selfevident, those
Of Louis Napoleon after the coup d'etat were
certainly so. 1t seemed as if his words Of de-
votedness to the French, and his respect for
universal suffrage, made him seek the more
the support of the French bayonets. 1t was
clearly demonstrated to the eyes Of the edu.
Gated classes as well as to the eyes of for
eign nations that the compliments he paid
to the army were the consequence of sys-
tenn which trusted more in physical action
and brute force, than in the influence of popu-
lar renown. 1t must be added, that the impru-
dent conduct and blind hatred of the French
exiles in London and elsewhere, rendered him,
perhaps, more service than any of his measures,
and contributed to draw around him the con-
sentative men of France, frightened by the
fiery and revengeful threats of the revolutionary
societies. With an adroitness which cannot be
too much admired, Louis Napoleon caused
several of the manifestoes Of the revolutionary
and socialist committees of London and Jersey
to be inserted in the official paper, the Mont
teur. Among the many signers of these
crazy manifestoes, the name of Victor Hugo
was, unhappily, for his fame and character
written in broad letters. We do not present
here any of the ideas expressed by these so
cieties, for no one can read them without at
tributing them 10 men Of distracted mind, or
men under the influence Of intense sufferings.
Another mistake, of no less consequences,
was also committed by the exiles. They in
cluded the army in the hatred they protested
against its chief and vociferated against il the
most violent threats and disgusting insults.
What was the consequence Of such foolish
conduct? To bring about precisely an oppo.
site effect to that which was aimed at. Louis
Napoleon, constantly on the watch for all that
could degrade the republicans in the opinion
of the people, carefully presented 10 their con-
sideration the writings of the republican press
and the speeches Of the republican orators.
This was sufficient to deeply wound the feelings
Of the nation, known to be very sensitive about
their military glory, and to arouse the feelings
Of good portion Of the sensible republicans
Of France. Thus, everything was tending to
increase the power Of Louis Napoleon. he was
even assisted in his work Of absolute power by
manifesto addressed to the French people on
the 18th Of October, 1852, by Prince Henry,
the last Of the Bourbons, who, in a very decent
document presented again his rights to the
crown Of France. This document was also
inserted in the Moniteur aside with the socialist
and republican declarations of the exiles Of
London and Jersey.
4 luuo ocCuiSu MS pVoiSiOiif t@Vuio A'ofo-
leon thought the time had come for him to pay
visit TO the faithful people Of France. he
left Paris on the 18th Of July, 1852, and went
to Strasbourg with the intention Of Inaugural.
ting the opening of q railroad just completed,
and hence to continue his voyage all over
France. We need not say that he was re-
ceived everywhere with unbounded enthusiasm
Whether it was spontaneous or gotten up
free or compulsory, is quite another affair
After what we have said Of bis government, il
is needless 10 investigate the causes, but only
to state the effects. He found everywhere, on
his passage, triumphal arches, appsopriate de-
vices and inscriptions, fireworks, military dis
plays, &c. Though he was travelling under
the popular title Of Prince--President, allu-
sions to his taking the title Of emperor were
through well-contrived means, made conspicu-
Gus all along the route. In the city Of St