Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-18
LOUIS NApoLRors WAR AND PEACE.

The secret history of the peace so suddenly
arranged at Villa Franco gradually emerges
into the light All the world begins 10 under
stand the matter; and, although we have not
by any means complete account of the peace,
yet we have enough to show us why Louis
Napoleon made it, and " hat estimate should
be formed of his conduct. 1t is evident that
he made the war chiefly to crafty long
cherished passion for soldering. We recol-
lect how difficult it was to restrain him from
the absurd exploit of taking command of his
army in the Crimea His camp tent and bed
were ready then and he did not fail after
wards to cherish that determination to have
war in order to go through his military exer-
else in presence of hostile force. He felt
about it much as any ardent little specimen of
Young America feels towards his first pair of
new boots. We did not however suppose he
would allow this feeling such mastery over his
conduct as it evidently had in the conduct and
conclusion of his war with Austria. IS
A decent regard for appearances, whole
some concern for his reputation in Europe, or
even an honest and sustaining selfrespect,
should have kept him from seeming 10 have
his conduct regulated by motive so low and
SO unworthy. He protested to fight for the in
dependence of Italy; he told the listening
world that he fully understood his epoch gASSes-
seemed to be intent on doing perfectlyxsa great
work which would bring I'm imperishable
honor and give hiWS supreme moral influence
IN Europe. IVA mans character will come
o Gssi.S S1thout much regard to what it may do to
his reputation. 1t now sesms plain enough
that he felt but little interest in the war, be-
yond that boyish passion for the novelty of SOL
that curious camp ent,-when he had maneu-
vered great army, fought few battles, and
let the world know what he and his army can
do in war,-then he was ready for peace,
and proceeded to make it without much scru-
pie or ceremony. And thus came to pass that
crude, ll-considered, and surprising peace of
VilIafranca,-a peace which settled nothing
but that the two Emperors would thereafter be
very good friends, and allow Victor Emanuel
to have Lombardy. Nothing else was settled;
everything else was left in strange confusion.
That hasty and imperfect arrangement at
Villa Franco is discreditable to the imperial
negotiators who made it; so far as Louis Ma
poleon is concerned, it is a treason to his own
professions of regard for Italian independence
and shame to his manhood Moreover, we
see him there more eager for an intimate
agreement with the Emperor of Austria, than
regarGful of his alliance with the chivarous
Victor Emanuel and the gallant Sardinians.
Ever since the peace he has treated the Sar-
dinians with lofty show of superiority and
command; and, finally, with angry impotence
coupled with menace. The news we print
to-day shows what he has directed one
of his newspaper organs to say to Italy.
The Italians he says are "ungrateful," be-
cause they complain Of his betrayal of their
hopes. He called them to arms and promised
them frerdUrn, lie accepted volunteers from
tuscany, the Papal States, and from other
parts of Italy; he babe them expect the
triumph of freedom and independence "from
the Alps to the Adriatic"; then he betrayed
the enthusiasm and confidence he had awaken
ed; and now he undertakes to appear as the
injured party, and says menacingly that
"Italy is ungrateful." That spirited response
of Sardinia to his proposition to restore the
Grand Dukes, shows that Italy is nowise like
ly tremble to at his menaces.