The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-02-10
WHAT NAPOLEON MEANS.

The London Times has the following editorial
comment on the Emperor's speech:
"The speech of the Emperor on opening the
French Chambers, was expected this year with
even more than usual curiosity. It was known
that he could not help referring to the American
war, and, from the proposals made to Eng land
and Russia few weeks since, there was reason to
believe that he would not lose the opportunity of
again counselling justice and moderation. This
expectation has been fulfilled. The Emperor, in
his Speech Monday adhered fully to the
policy of NJ. Drouyn de LHuys' despatch, and
more than intimared that he should renew bis
attempt at mediation. Sp"rking of the distress
which the war has brouS!: on French industry,
he says: 81 have made the attempt to send
beyond the Atlantic advices inspired by sincere
sympathy; but the great maritime powers not
having thought it advisable yet to act in concert
with me, have been obliged to postpone to a
more suitable opportunity the offer of mediation,
the object of which was to stop the effuson of
blood, and to prevent the exhaustion of a country
the future of whic. cannot be looked upon with
Indifference" That the Emperor would retain
his opinion on the subject Of the war was to be
expected, but 1t was not at all certain that he
would plain SO decisive'y to his Legislature and
the world that his plan of mediation had not been
abandoned. The speech ofthe Emperor is another
step IN the direction Indicated by the despatch
told in effect that the war which the North is
waging against the South will be without result,
that the country is being exhausted in a contest,
the evils of which are felt more widely than those
OF any other OF the present age, and that Europe
cannot remain Indifferent to the barbarity which
shows itself every day more and more. There
can now hardly be doubt that the French
Emperor will take every occasion to urge on the
Federals the necessity of bringing this war to a
/ t. -
Minister, Mr. Dayton, has already heard all that
he can say against the enterprise in which the
Federal Government is now engaged. The de-
hberate judgment of Europe has been given by
the mouth Of the French Emperor, and though no
formal offer Of mediation has yet reached Wash
ington, yet morally most earnest interference has
taken place. The speech of Monday is but the
solemn reiteration of those opinions which the
Emperor has never concealed from either bell-
gerent. 1t is declaration that the progress of
the during the last two months has but
confirmed him in the wisdom of his former policy,
and that the time is approaching when European
Sovereign may fitiy interpose to stop the
slaughter.
AS politician and soldier, Napoleon NAV be
satisfied with the accuracy of his Judgment when
he declared that the South would not submit and
could not be subjugated. Since NJ. Drown de
L'Huys wrote his dispatch, the fortune of war has
rates In great battle they have defeated the
main army of their enemies, and demonstrated
that Virginia and Richmond may be held indef-
nitely against all the hosts that President Lincoln
send against them. Such being the condition
of the war, the French Emperor may justly ask
whether Europe is to sit still and make no effort
to civilized and Christian society from the
miseries that coming on It, The exhaustion
of the country and the brutaizing OF the people
the only results which may be clearly foreseen
If the var lasts, nd the Emperor will do good
work if by any wise and temperate advances he
can persuade the Federals to desist from their
hopeless enterprise"
Napoleon may interfere, but fear it will be long
time first.