The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-26
NApOLEON AND THE ARMY.


Emneror achieved nominal victory, the re-
suit so far from being Satisfactory was olni-
Mons Of disaster in the not far distant future.
The small towns and the agricultural districts,
whore the ignorant peasantry are in the ma
iority, declared for the empire and elected
majority of the Government candidates to the
Corps Legislatif. 1t is the large cities, how
ever, that lead public sentiment in France;
and If Paris successfully inaugurates revo-
luton, the experiences of history will be be-
lied if the nation at large does not make haste
TO follow. Paris and the other great cities
that represent the wealth, intelligence, and
culture of France, that in reality are France
as il is known to the world at large, not only
defeated the advocates of Imperialism at the
polls, but supplemented their pacific
victory by revolutionary demonstra-
tions which sounded strangely like
the mutterings of coming storm. Not
withstanding all that has been done during
the past twenty years to make France great
and prosperous at home, respected and feared
abroad, the empire is failure inasmuch as it
has failed either to suppress or conciliate its
enemies, or to secure the confidence OF the
intelligent and thinking classes. The Emperor
has labored to advance the material prosperity
of the nation, and to very great extent he
has done So but the one great idea of his
policy, which overshadows everything else,
is securing the succession to the throne for
his son and the perpetuation of his dynasty
And thoughtful men are seriously inquiring
whether Napoleonism is so good thing of
itself that the liberties of the people, and all
else that is desirable, must be subordinated
to it.
The rioters of Montmartre were promptly
suppressed by the well-trained soldiers at the
beck and call of the Government, thousands
of arrests were made, incendiary papers were
confiscated and their editors imprisoned, an
order was once more restored. No one knows
better than the Emperor, however, that the
dislike for himself and his rule is too deep
seated to be eradicated by such measures as
this, and that it is only awaiting a suitable
opportunity to break forth with greater fury
than ever. He has accordingly left the un-
congenial atmosphere of Paris for the camp
at Chalons, where on the anniversary of Sol
ferino he managed to hatter his soldiery in a
speech that is significant in relation to recent
events. He appealed to them to remember
the battles fought by their fathers and them
selves, as 'our victories are the history of pro-
gress and civilization"-a conclusion that will
scarcely be acceded to by impartial thinkers
outside of the French army; and, he con-
tinued, ''you will thus maintain that military
spirit which is the triumph of the noble over
the vulgar passions 1t is fidelity to the flag
and devotion to the country. Continue in the
same course, and you will be worthy of so
great nation" These are the Emperors
words as first reported, but the Journal Off,
0iA gives a slightly modified version, as
follows: -"Continue in the same course, and
you will always be worthy of SO great nation,
and will maintain the military spirit neces-
sary for great people" The probabilities
are that the first report was substantially cor
rect, but it was thought expedient to give
it to the public in somewhat modified form
The Emperor relies upon the fidelity of the
army to maintain himself upon the throne
and he probably feels secure
so long as he can calculate
upon the blind obedience of his bayonets
Marshal Bazaine, in addressing the Emperor,
said, ''Your soldiers recall the day on which
you led them to victory. This glorious ami
versary shall never be effaced from our hearts,
and under all circumstances shall they remain
devoted to your dynasty" 1t should be re-
membered, however, that, since Solferino,
Prussia has arisen as great power that over
shadows France, and the disastrous Mexican
campaign resulted in anything but glory for
the French arms. 1t is certain that there is
great dissatisfaction in the army at the loss of
prestige that has taken place since the victo-
ries that were called to their remembrance by
the Emperor and although the army may be
an efficient aid in suppressing few rioters,
it is not at all certain that it
can be relied upon in case of an organized
revolution. The French army has in the past
shown facility for adhering to the fortunes
Of the party in power, and in case the Napo-
leonic dynasty should be seriously imperilled,
it would probably be policy for the Emperor
to follow the example of Louis Philippe and
get over to England as fast as possible, with
out placing too implicit a reliance ON the
affection of either Marshal Bazaine or the
army under his command. The army is a
strong support for the Emperor so long as he
can control it, but the nation is stronger than
the army if il is once aroused to put forth it's
strength; and when the day of trial comes the
bayonets are more than likely to be found on
the popular side.
THE FIST IN OUR CIVILIZATION
AT this season of blue skies and leafy luxu-
rance, when human benevolence should take
a-measure Of increase and inspiration from
AZ. e -