The New York herald., 1862-08-22
The Position o< the Orleans Princes I'm

| Tho departure of the Orleans Princes has
given rise, both here and in Europe, to sur
misses all more or less incorrect 1t is stated
by the English and Belgian journals that the
Comte de Paris hastened back to Europe foi
the purpose of espousng the daughter Of the
Duchess Of Parma, as by SO doing he would vest
in himself the Bourbon interest. Amy one ao-
quainted with the present state of affairs in
France would at once understand the improba-
bility of any such event. The same journals
also state that the young Princes retired from
the American army fearing an encounter with
their own countrymen-a war between France
and the United States being imminent from the
Mex ican expedition. Tlris conclusion is, to
say the least, a forced one. Those on this side
Of the Atlantic who have expressed surprise or
displeasure at the hasty departure of the Cohite
de Paris and the Duke dc Chartres will no
longer blame, but approve, their conduct
when they understand their real motives
The following version of the whole affair we
have reason TO believe is strictly correct
Since the advent Of Count de Persigny to the
Ministry of the Interior the Orleans party has
greatly increased in power and numbers. When
he was first called to power the Orleanists
seemed to have retired from hopeless strug-
gle, and the party was deemed almost extinct.
Persigny judged it opportune to strike finish
ing blow; his measures, however, were more
fierce than well timed, more eager than wise,
and, as result, he aroused the energies of the
opposition rendered the cause of the Emperor
more unpopular by restrictive measures totally
uncaled for, and now the Orleans party bids
fair TO crush both minister and master. For
months it has been expected by those well in
formed that at any moment an outbreak might
take place in France, and the Duke dAumale,
who is OF course perfectly an fat with all that
takes place in that country, urged the return
of his royal BcPhews.
The Orleanists have for some time past been
aided by the clergy, who have made'common
cause with the Emperor Napoleons most pow
erful enemy. Even the French army has be-
come deeply tingcd with Orieanism. In almost
all the provincial towns the garrisons have
been repeatedly changed, as it became evident
chat the soldiers were being tampcrcd with by
the opposition and clergy, these latter having
taken advantage Of the discomfort produced
throughout the army by the Mexican expedi-
ton. The losses by sickness, and the fact that
no great glory will be awarded to the con-
querors of the Nexicans (they being deemed
but little more formidable than tho Chinese),
have certainly rendered that move OF the Empe-
ror most unpopular in all parts OF france.
For months past an outbreak has been con-
trolled merely from the fact that an impression
is general throughout the empire that Napoleon
would merc;lessly repress any uprising were it
not overwhelming The blow will be struck,
however, and any moment may witness it. The
Orleans Princes left our army because they are
fully aware Of this fact. The world has be-
come so accustomed to the power and influence
of Napoleon LII. that any idea Of his overthrow
will, perhaps at first thought seem unlikely;
the Orleansts, however, are fully alive to the
fact that his power is daily being sapped, aud
that sooner or later the explosion must take
place.
Urged by - Duke UAumale to return, as
weu as by p prominent among their adhe
rents in FRANCE, the Princes complied. 1t must
be borne in mind how immense is the interest
they have at stake. The Emperor Napoleons
i'll health was an additional motive for speedy
return, as the Princes arc perfectly aware that,
after him, the country will accept Of no rule
save that of the House Of Orleans.