Litchfield enquirer., 1867-01-03
Litohaeld. Conn. Thursday, Jan 3. 1867
Napoleon.

Napoleon.
 The present position of the Emperor oi theFrench has excited much comment in the foreign press and although the variety oi views is endless;- yet, in regard to some i'm portant particulars there is almost an unan- imity of opinion. Napoleon has certainly within the year suffered great loss of rep utation. The establishment of powerful North German government and the failure of Maximilian have been hard blow to his dynasty. He has lost position in Flu rope, reputation in America.
 Notwithstanding his celebrated declara- ton that ''the Empire is speace," he had, during the ten years following his attain ing power restored something of the old Napoleonic military pre-eminence of France Austria and Russia, the most powerful of his uncle's opponents, had matched their strength with that of the restored Empire, and had each been signally defeated The reputation of England suffered almost as much from damaging comparison with the superior military force and efficiency of her imperial ally, in the .Crimea. Italy from dependant of Austria had become 8 dependant of France. Not only did the French government show great strength; it showed even greater shrewdness In every one of his great military undertak- ings, Napoleon contrived to isolate his an- tagonist while he had allies sufficiently strong to afford him great material assis- tance, without being strong enough to en- danger the lions share of glory which fell to the lot of France
 Within the past six months all this has changed. An adversary has arisen, inf nitely more dangerous than the Holy Ali ance, in the united kingdom of Prussia and North Germany; moreover the whole Ger. man people tend strongly to unity and against united Germany the arms ot France could hope for no success. Italy, too, has found a less interested, if not a more disinterested ally. Bismark demands no Savoy and Nice as a reward for Venetia maintains no garrison in the natural cap- ital of the new kingdom.
 The work. of ten successful years seems in fact to have been undone in fortnight's 8 campaign; while at the same time comes the humiliation of palpable, utter failure of the Mexican scheme. In Napoleon's s peculiar position these failures are extreme ly dangerous. The French people can en- dure an arbitrary leader but he must be an able one. A Faineant can no longer sit on the throne of France. The mere suspicion of incapacity might overthrow the Empire Rumors of failing health, the fear of long minority under the guardianship of big oted Spanish Catholic, the ambition oi Prince Napoleon; all throw doubt over the stability of the present dynasty and threat en sudden change.
 Dangerous as the present position of the French Empire undoubtedly is, we have confidence in Napoleon's ability to post pone its downfall at least till his death. His reputation for sagacity cannot in fact have suffered materially among sensible men. Twice, indeed, have unforeseen circumstan ces upset his plans. The success of his Mexican scheme was dependant upon the failure of our government to suppress the rebellion. To foreign eyes no other result seemed possible Nothing but the tremen. dous, untiring energy of Democracy saved us; any aristocratic government would most certainly have failed. The German war, again, baf1ed all ordinary calculation. At the outset the chances were supposed to be largely in favor of Austria; but a long war seemed inevitable. Had such been the case, Napoleon's eventual inter ference would have decided the contest and the fruits of the victory would have been his. The energy of Bismark, the intel. igence of her officers and soldiers, and the needle-gun, enabled Prussia to carry through successfully really Napoleonic campaign; Q campaign with which none of the present Emperors achievements bear any compar. son; such campaign as Europe has not seen since Austerlitz, Jena, and Wagram. That such a result was not forseen, argues no want of foresight.
 The shrewd caution with which Napo- leon meets these unexpected difficulties, in the meantime, seems to us most admirable. His conduct in Mexico indicates none of that insane presistency in error which has ruined many abler men-his uncle among the number. In Europe he shows how well he understands the policy of biding his time. He is now rearming and remod. cling an army, under his auspices uniformly victorious. The Mexican war, it must be remembered, has been political, not g military failure); and we see no reason as yet to doubt the skill, prudence. and ener gy of the remarkable man who has raised himself from private station to the most important position held by any single indi vidual in the civilized world.
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