The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-07

"o PuOiish to-day the translation OF an
American correspondence which. appears in the
Paris journal L'Opinion Rationale of the 10th
August 1t is interesting, az showing genuine
Frenchman's impressions about the war which
is being waged for the maintenance Of the
American republic, about our army Organiza-
ton, our volunteer and militia systems and
other features which appear SO strange to for
eigners; but it is more than interestingly is
important-when it is discovered that the views
which it embOdies are those of Prince Napo-
leon; that the correspondence is written either
by him or at his dictation, and that it il pub
lished exclusively in bis own home organ.
The letter is dated within week after his
arrival in this city 1t speaks Of his
not having yet seen the army, but Of his
intention to examine 1t closely, to look at its
organization inspect the positions of the hostile
armies, as well in the provinces as on the Po-
tomac, and favor his journal with the impress
sions which he may derive from his tour. These
hints, taken in connection with other circum-
stantial evidence in the body Of the letter ITSELF
and with the fact that some Of the Princes
correspondence, point conclusively to him as
the author. They may, therefore, with pro-
priety be termed his American notes.
The Prince is not the only distinguished mill
tary foreigner who is criticising our warlike
condition. 1t was but the other day that we
Havana, correspondence which we had
reason to believe was written by an officer in
the Spanish service General Planas-- -describ-
ing his impressions of things here from what he
saw in Washington Immediately after the Bull
run panic. An Incidental circumstance has
since proved conclusiyely that we were correct
in attrbuting the letter to him. We think we
are no farther astray in assuming the cores
pondent Of the Opinion Rationale to be none
other than the Emperors cousin, Prince Napo-
leon, who is now on tour in this country.
We do not now undertake to criticse the
Princes production What he has observed
he relates graphically, and as to what he does
not understand he confesses his ignorance and
promises to try to enlighten himself News
paper correspondents might take lesson from
the Prince. He cannot understand, and proba-
bly, it would be very difficult to make him, how
it is that an officer is designated to conduct
battle and take command of an army, unless
sition; or how it is that the General-in- Chief.
sitting in his office in Washington, can under
take to direct battle at Manassas Junction.
The Prince, while evidently disposed to act
the part of an impartial and unbiased CORES
pendent, has allowed himself to fall into the
real object, seeing that no recementing of the
Union between North and South is possible.
Let him wait while longer and he will see
occasion for changing his mind.
A few such affairs as that at Hatteras Inlet,
with the occupation of points on the Southern
coast, will bring the people of the Southern
States to their senses. When they once more
see the federal flag waving over their custom
houses and post offices, and find themselves, in
consequence, protected in all their personal
and political rights, they will wonder at them
selves for ever being such fools as to embrace
the heresy of secession, and will, as they
are now doing in North Carolina, renew their
vows Of fidelity to the Union, which alone can
make and secure their prosperity. There will
be shaking Of hands all round, renewed
pledge of fraternity and friendship sentence
of Punishment or political inability on the worst
Of the rebel leaders, and then a new start on
the career of national glory and greatness. And
all this will be to Prince Napoleon only another
incomprehensible trait in the American charac-
ter which is already such puzzle to him.