The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-27
british OPINION OF NAPOLE0NS GENE
RALSHIP

[From the Lonoon Times, May IA
10 ancient Rome generals mo bad flushed successful
var rode in triumph aeng the Sacred Way TO the Capitol
bu; has been lett to the present uheror Of those great
traditions 10 march sl0pg the Sacred Way tue field OF
hattie ami TO triumph before he has fought Perhaps
Louis Napoleon Bonapare had been bred practical
and had served with armies in the field before he
take the cH maDd OF one at fy Of age he g,d haze
initiated DE ancient Roman hs t,co qualities Of nodesy
and " yespect for the enemy But the proclamation Of the
French Emperor breathee only the recoecons OF the
BoDapartt empire That the present French troops
tho equals Of the republican warriors, whom the
FIRST Nspoleon's discipline made so terrible to Aus
seves the slow pedantic who fell easy
victim 10 the great manthat every thing will happen
eofdpg 10 the presidents Of 1886 and 1900
ae certain III the Imperial proclamation. Such docu.
ment Is, Of course not 70 beudsed if it political
panek,o. II is published 20 inspire courage in followers
sod TO strike terror into enemies and therefore tone
Of conscience, and CT presumption be fairly
cuseo But it certainly that the expectation Of the
French respecting their speedy success real and that
he Emperor in his address only echoes the voice bohof
bis army and people. The French have won so many
victories over the Ausrans Oh the fields ofIs and they
have completely forgotten the reyeraes which they
oasenay suffered thai Paris France and the camp fully
believe that the enemy is to be swept Completely out of
LAY in the first campaign and that If Germany waits for
The next three months before assisting the Austrian army
there will longer be an Austrian army to assist.
There he doubt that this confidence has its effect
Europe and perhaps the enemy II is theprivege
France TO have completely the ear OF other nations and to
DC able to represent events pretty much at her pleasure It
only the educa;edhoee who may he almost called his
torcal studeEtslUho knoau anything obon the unsuccessful
campaigns of France ich any other country than their
!
begun gather its materials for history OF great war
before continental nations knew much about the capplo-
to o. Alexandria, or the tatle Of Trafalgar, of
the Peninsuor campaigns The brtn,an, victories Of the
Auvlons ana Russians 1899 remain entirely o5,cursd
by the ndor Of Ripoli and Mayengo has A.pe1 left
much Iressson those toho remember eperu incident of
Wogam. This reputation of the French arms
| 49, no doubt, justly earned, for it is at the
tribute cue 70 the valor ana the civilization OF
The people And it would DO Of little danger to
Europe old it not unfortunately blind the French
selves to the difficulties OF war From infancy the
Frencban nourished in ideas or the martial SUPERIOR
ty Of bis From the histories given to the young
nat onal vanity has eliminated every passage which could
tell tale adverse to the national glory. The battles by
and land with England passed over almost without
boce, as it would be dicult to wres them into nara.
tive gratifying 70 patriotic feeling while the campaigns
against the continental moparches and especially Austria
related at length which leaves little room for any
thing done in France previous to 1892 for political
events which baye happened since 1916. France, then,
and her Emperor enter upon this with confidence
which may bring success, but Wch may possibly ead
er''aIot disaster 1t is ne, our business to be the
prophet OF evil TO either party, yet may the
chief who speaks in so lofty tone OF the victories Of
bis predecessor, that Europe is much changed from
nc Gays when general could overrun province
Ia a Few weeks, beat army after army, and dictate
peace to bis beaten foe. War is gigantic
scale to take the offensive requires larger calculations,
more subtle and reflective genius greater resources and
greater superiority over the enemy than heretofore We
rave been always among the fret TO owedge the
high qualities Of French soldier; some Of tne En-
perors troops, such the Garde Imperiale and the
Zouaves, are probably as fine troops any existing in
the world, and he must be very bgotd reader Of his
with Their unity their nationality their excellent organ
zaop and their constitutional quickness and aertness
TO the motley armies which Hess or Cyulai command
But we would wish 70 guard counrymen, ever ready
TO be led away by such documents az the manifesto
ard address of Louis Napoleon, from speculat
| ing on the speedy issue Of the campaign We
| bave observed tendency within the last few days
| to fancy that everything is over, and that the
battle under the walls Of Milan The credulty Of the
city and that OF the West End these things about on
par ana excessive panic one week ia balanced by
aplUf thu .,fJJ
Which reaches US from Central Eerope indicates stubborn
ness On e part IF Austrta not llely 10 end in second
Campo fo'po, uhile the altitude Of the ol.r German States
Is 1nch o e1ir French rtco,y French Yeryye might
1e hs signal fer an Interference IN the quarrel II the
French Emperor carries through his plans obtains at once
the neutrality Of Germany ana the help Of the Italian poo
pe wins victories in the field such shake courage
o. TIE hostile army and captures tcrtr easily
terrliy the Viennese government which has depended
them, be will indeed aid the laurels OF war TO the
! crown which commentaries his civic triumphs But
though we hSk bis chances Of fair trust
worthy yet war s too DANCE 10 be commenced
by novice in tho syle to which the great Napoleon
| proved his right by constellation Of victories.
IN strong contrast TO the lofty Of the begerent
Emperor, is the proclamation Of her Majesty our own
Queen, declaring the neutrality Of the British empire
Atnouen cooched ID the formal language which has pro-
baby more than once done duty similar occasion
the proclamation speaks impressive accents TO England
and the world 1t says that this country disposed 70
give no help either 10 the oeGpogn which affects pbilan-
tbropy that which takes its on cold legality an
the hre, Hotes which engosed in lbs uar are ,ooa
aSs g @s sansy ~ >
y victorious, must pay the penalty IN Increased burdens
srictor military rule, and the final destruction Of every
tendency which could lead her back forms of free
political life. Austria gain nothing and should she
even retain what she now holds, II viii be at cost of
Diood and treasure Which generation cannot replace
As Tor Sardna Ae instrument OF the and the intended
victim Of the other we can clearly only one thing
hd me Saoaced constitution uhich attracts he nnnpaies
urge nag no'o pasd d~dy 70 be replaced BY oJsequios
assemblies after The Bo,sopartlst te As for be freedom
tay, the profeesed object Of this crusade we can afford
10 stand aloof and allow II 10 be accomplished BY other
| N he NJ
The fond ally which bleeds for alp has too often "bled
In win" for tDglshmen 10 be enthusiastic in this matter