Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-03-29
w. II. MONROE
BURLINGTON.
An Interview with Napoleon III.

John >. Z. Abbott, whose rOmanc1ng his
tory of the First Napoleon is familiar, IS
now engaged in Europe in hunting over
the libraries, archives and boOkstalls of
Paris and Londol for data upon which to
transmit to posterity q truthful record of
the life and reign of Napolen Ill. Mr..
Abbott writes to friends in New Haven of
Il late fireside interview with the Emperor,
within the seclusiOn of one Of the interior
parlors of the palace where he enjoyed the
unreserved conversation Of the sovereign,
which, however, he does not betray, after
the manner of some other American VII
terS who find themselves clOseted with ru-
lers. Indeed, Mr.. Abbott excuses himself
from entering into narration OF the con-
yersatiOn, remarklng that 1t would not be
proper for him to record the frank express
siOns of the Emperor under such circum-
stances, though he tells us that he himself
referred to the Mexican question as follows:
II have always felt it to be great mis-
take that our government did not lend its
moral support to the only government
which it seemed to me promised the restO-
ration of peace and order to Mexico. The
overthrow of the empire inevitably plUnges
that unhappy people into that state Of
chronic anarchy which has desolated the
country now for half a century,"
To this view the Emperor expressed his
assent, saying: Il have regretted deeply
having been SO much misunderstood in
America. 1t seemed to me that it was for
the interest of the United States, as well
as for the interest Of Mexico, that there
should be stable government there, which
should secure protection to the people and
develop industry" He also expressed al
earnest desire TO maintain friendly relations
with the United States. Mr.. Abbott goes
on to say that he saw no indications of i'll
health, though the Emperor looked deci-
dedly older than when he SAW him four
teen years ago.
who Are to Rule in the South.
The ''absolute control" of local Govern
ments in the Southern States must rest with
he people of those States just as it does
and always must in the North, and where
ever else the principle of popular govern
ment obtains at ALL Not with part of the
people, with any one class or party or con-
dition, but with all the people-Of all par
ties and OF all conditions. Any Govern
ment controlled otherwise is not q popular
Government Any Government in the
South under the "absolute control" of
those only who were loyal Throughout the
war, would be al oligarchy, and would be
III Hat and fragrant contradiction to every
principle upon which our institutions are
based. Any State Government in Virginia
IN which Mr.. Bolts and dthose who acted with
him through the rebellion, should alone be
permitted to vote, would be one of the
worst and most odious oligarchies the world
ever saw. 1t could not last an hour without
the support of Federal bayonets; and such
support would only add the severity of its
oppression and odiousness of its character.
Governments in this country must be of
the people and for the people F.; when we
make them anything else, we abandon the
only thing IN which we differ from the
nations of the old world.
Neac Y07h: Times