The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-10
The Literature or tho War-Napuleons Pro
CARNATIONS.

The Literature or tho War-Napsleon's Pro
CARNATIONS.
The proclamatlons issued by Napoleon III.
on bis entry into Milan are documents as re-
markable for their felicity Of language as for
their political significance. They are not only
to be admired for the disinterestedness and ele-
vat on of their sentiments, but for the terseness
and force with which their views are expressed.
1t would be impossible to find In the whole range
of military manifestoes any in which so much
meaning Is conveyed in such few words. As
great a master as Napoleon the First was
laconicsms, we contend that bis successor has
proved himself his superior in the art.
The few brief sentences contained in these
proclamations have changed in moment the
face Of the present complications. They convey
| to Germany an assurance as positive "a words
can intimate that France has no objects in the
present war beyond the assertion of italian indie
pendence. They satisfy that portion of the
English people who, under the influence of art
full suggestions, still doubted the Emperor's good
faith, that his views in regard to Italy are
| Invested Of any more selfish consideration
| than the desire to gain that moral in.
fuence which, as he truly says, is of more
value to him than territorial conquests. Pub
lished opportunity, at the moment when
ministry favorable to bis policy has just come
into power, they will contribute more to
strengthen the hands Of the latter than dozen
Parliamentary triumphs. The course of Eng
land on this question assured, the world acquires
a moral certainty that the mediation of that
| Power, in concert with Russia and Prussia, will
| be attended with successful results as soon as
the fall of Verona and the fortresses connected
with it shall have decided the fate of Lombardy.
1t is one of the distinguishing marks of great
mind to be able to convey its views in brief Ian
guage 1t Is only ordinary intellects that ex-
pend themselves in verbiage. The sincerity Of
both may be the same but the world is disposed
| to award most credit to the man who is sparing
of words. His very reserve inspires the belief
that when he does declare himself, he means what
be says. Louis Napoleon possesses this faculty
| of brief and forcible expression to greater
degree than his uncle, or perhaps than any other
public man before him. Take the different
State papers and proclamations that he
has issued since his accession to power
and it viii be found that they compare favor.
ably in point of terseness and vigor of language
with any of the bulletins of the Consulate or
first Empire. Their ideas are concentrated into
| epigrammatic phrases, that will live long after
the subjects with which they are connected have
passed into oblivion. People sneered at the
memorable saying, "LEmpire c'et la pair,'
when the Criinean war broke out. There are
many who will probably again amuse them
| selves with it in reference to the Italian cam
| paign. 1t is not clear, however, but that poste-
rity will take an entirely different view of the
| value Of these words Unless we are greatly
mistaken, the wars Of the second Empire will do
more to insure the permanent peace and tran
! quillity of the world than all the diplomatic
abors and exertions of the last half century.
Louis Napoleon may not be a great man ac-
cording to the standard Of political greatness
erected by routine minds. What he does he does
out Of rule, and by certain methods of cal
culation peculiar to himself. He puzzles
mediocre intellects by bis reserve, his selfre-
lance, his absence Of vain-gloriousness, and his
seeming Inconsistency Of purpose. Measure him,
however, with any of the leading minds of the
present day, ard see how far he leaves them be-
! hind him. AS o statesman he has solved politi-
Cal problems which none of them have dared to
touch; as general he has developed qualities
which have proved his superiority in the field; as
literateur, his pre- eminent mastership of the
pen is developing itself in his proclamations and
orders Of the day. When we compare with these
! productions such turgid literary efforts as the
| protests Of the Dukes of Modena and Tuscany.
We can appreciate the noble simplicity of style
which is displayed in them
| Nowhere, despot though he be, have the quail
ties of Napoleon been more fairly estimated than
in this country. There is so much affinity be-
tween the independent and practical cast of his
Mid and that Of cur people generally, that ne
Gid not fail at once to recognise his merits. In
the pitby aIG spiritstirring language of his late
| proclamatons he has struck fresh KEY to cur
| admiration lie talks in q style which has be-
come identified with American modes of thought,
and which can alone move the hearts of the
masses. 1t is this which has given to American
jour- alisn such an influence over the public
mind, and which constitutes the main element of
its power.
We are seriously Of opinion that if Louis Ma
polecn were not Emperor Of the French he would
have made first rate newspaper editor.
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