Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-04-19
From the National Ihteligencer.
The Emperor Of the French.
New YoRK, April 4, 1856.

|
called tfan article in your Journal Of the
2Sth ult., in which my name is introduced
in connexion with the so ourn in this city
in 1887, of the present Emperor of the
French. and statements and opinions Of
nine in regard to the character he sustain
ed here, placed in aptagonism to prevail
ing impression on the subject. The pub
| LEFTY thus given to me as defender oil
the reputation Of this gentlemen, az that
perlod must be my apology for this COM
munication, and for the request that. in
justice to the parsonage most concerned,
the National lntellieeneer may become the
| channel of a bief rehearsal Of the oppor-
tunities | had Of correct knowledge III the
case, and OF the belief based upon them
which | entertain.
LoUs NAPOLEON. after having been pris-
oner Of State for some months Oh board
French man.of-whr, was set at liberty Cd
our shores at Norfolk in the early Spring
of 1887, He came Immediately to New
York, as the point at which he could be
put moskspeedily in communication with
his friends in Europe. Either on the day
or the day but one after his arrival was
led to call upon him, not as the bearer OF
an illustrious name or the inheritor OF an
imperial title, bat as stranger and an ex-
lie without a personal friend IN the coun-
try or letter of introduction. | was the
more readily induced TO this from repre-
sensations made to me by near relative,
in whose family he had already passed an
evening, Of the deep interest his appear.
nd hpI. hod lad ~
those who then met him. The call was
reciprncated with promptness and cordi-
alily had not anticipated, and in a very
brief period led 10 an intercourse which
was almost daily for some two months, and
wi ich ended only when we parted from
each other off Sandy Hook, oh board the
packet which returned him to Europe.
The association was not that of hours
only. but Of days, and one occasion at least
Of days in succession, aad was character
ised by freedom of conversation on a
great variety Of topics that could scarce
tail, under the righteousness and frank
ness Of his manner, to rut me in posses
sion Of his views, principles and feelings
upon most points that give insight to CHAR
acter. | never heard a sentiment from
him and never witnessed a feeling that
could detraet from his honor and purity as
man, or his dignity rs prince !; on the
contrary, often had occasion to admire
the lofty thoughts and exalted conceptions
which seemed most to occup, his mind.
His !avorite topics when we were alone,
were his uucie, The Emperor, his mother,
others of his immediate family, in whom
he had been deeply Interested; his own
relations to france by birth and imperial
registry; the inducements which led to
the attempted revelation at Strasburg, the
causes OF its failure, and his chief support
under the modification of the result-"the
wW Of Cod, 10 use his own words
.Hrp~9h q direct iaterpostion Of Proui-
deace; lie lime had mol get come p
He seemed ever to feel that his person.
al destiny was indissoIubly linked with
France or, as his mother Horttnse, en-
pressed It in her will TO X aow his posi-
ton :" and the enthusiasm with which at
times ne gave ulteranee to his aspirations
for the property, the happiness and the
honor of his country, aud TO the high pur
poses which he Designed 10 accomplish for
her as ruler amounted in words, voice,
and manner, to positive eloquence. Had
taken notes OF some Of these converse
tons, they would be considered now when
his visions Of power and earthly glory are
realized, scarcely less epigrammalc and
elevated in thought, or, as related to him
,eli less prophetic, dian many which have
been recorded from the lips Of the exile
OF ST. Helena.
file was winning in the invariableness of
his amiabli,y, often playful in spirits and
manner, aud warm IN his affections. He
was most londly attached son, and seem
ed TO iuo'ize his mother. When speak ing
Of her the intonatons of his voice and his
whoe manner were often as gentle and
feminine as those of a woman. 1t had
been his purpose to spend year in max
| ing a tour of the United States, that he
might have better knowledge OF our in
slilutions and observe for himself the prac-
teal workings of our political SYSTEM
| Win this expectation, he CONSULTED me
aud others as TO the arrangement OF the
! route Of travel so as 10 visit the different
sections of the Union at The most dtsira-
Bile seasons. But his plans were suddenly
| changer ny tHlCiHScicC VI thc cCiiouo nv
ness OF Queen Hortense, or, as then sly led
the Duchess of ST. Leu, at her castle in
Switzerland. was dining with him the
day the letter conveying Tins information
was received. Recognizing the writing
OH the envelope, as it was handed TO him
at table. he hastily broke the seal, and had
scarce glanced over half a page before he
exclaimed, "Aly mother is i'll | must see
her. Instead of tour OF the States shall
take the next packet 'or England. will
apply for passports for the eontnent, at
every embass, ia London, and. if uisu:-
cesslul, will make my way 10 her without
them" Tins he did, and reached Aren-
enberg 10 time 10 CONSOLE bv his presence
the T.. ing hours OF the ex-Qneen, and to
receive in his bosom her las, sigh.
After such opportunities of knowing
much Of the mind and heart and general
character of Louis Napoleon, it WAS with
great surprise that FOL the first sime read.
in IA distant part OF the world, when he
had become an Emperor, representations,
in the public Journals OF his life in New
York, (and IN New Olleans. toe, though
he was never there which would induce
belief that he had been when here little
halter than A yagab0ud--low i'm associa-