The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-08-12
The Eranco-Prassaan DIatter--yvnI Ma.
poleon lot slip tho Dogs OF Republican,

Xho 6r&nCo~Fr0soaon mottcT-WAA No.
poIeon lot slip tho Dogs Of Republicans
lam and cry Havocl
We observe that some of our cotempo.
raries are seeking to fofeshadow a grand
coup d'etat for Napoleon. 1t is suggested
that if Napoleon shall fnd his imperial
crown slipping off his head, he will un-
furl tho banner Of the ''fierce Democra-
cy" and appeal to the revolutionary ele-
ment of Europe, that has been repre-
sented by the Mazzini's, the Garibaldi's,
the Victor Hugo's, the Kossuth's Co.,
and make kings, emperors and mo-
narchs all trembla on their thrones at the
awakened power of the PEOPLE. Iu our
Judgment, if Napoleon is counting upon
this, he is depending upon broken
reed. This, We take it, would hardly sue
ceed. Doubtless, thore is an impatient
feeling existing among the masses of
central Europe as we'll as of France. But
the appeal to arms, arousing the pride of
nationality, has effectually overwhelmed
this element. Just as oil France re-
sponded to Napoleon's appeal, when he
stirred tho popular heart with sugges-
tions of honor, pride, glory, victory and
France; SO, too, no doubt, all Germa-
ny is O unit for ''the Fatherland," and
from peasant to prince, under the in.
hucnce Of O common nationality, there
is general determination to fight under
the banners of King William of Prussia.
No-to our mind, viewing the matter
rs we'll as we can at this distancc-what
Napoleon needs to save him and the Em-
pire is VICTORY. This alono is necessary.
This is all-essential. Well may victory
or death be his personal motto, in this
supreme moment of his chequored career.
His star must now shine brighter than
ever, or pale its Intellectual fire. We adj
miro much the boldness, the scientific
precision and the gallantry that the
Prussian army has illustrated. It seems
that Moltko is not too old for fresh
display of that genius that won Sadowa
for Prussia, and placed her in the front
rank of modern nations. But we do not
hesitate to avow that wo also sympathize
with the cause of Napoleon. We wish,
to soy the least, to find him preserve the
integrity of his borders. Let him drive
the invaders back, and let an honorable
peace be made between two great coun-
tries, both full of military valor and
military skill.
Napoleon has done much for France,
and we shall never forget what he pro-
posed to do for the Southern people, in
our recent troubles. Our sympathies,
therefore, arc with him, and particularly
SO, because he is in critical condition.
And were we n Frenchman in France,
to-day, we would be disposed, in his
hour Of trial, to stick closer than over to
Nopoleon-this wise ruler-this pro-
gressiye man-who has advanced the
material interests of his country, and
given to the French all the liberty that
was consistent with the cause of law,
order and security. But ho must be
victorious, or we fear that his power is
gono. Tho people of the South gathered
with heroic resolution around our
conquered banner" and remained true,
even when the shadows had fallen upon
its dropping folds; and Lee and Davis,
though defeated, remain enthroned in
faithful hearts. But not so has been the
case with the French. Although the
first Napoleon had been the hero of q
hundred bates, yet his star went down at
Waterloo, and the glory of the past was
lost in the defeat of the present. Such
is human nature in general, Such, es-
pecially, seems to be French nature.
Let Napoleon be victorious at Metz, and
all will be we'll. Let him fail, and of
him it will be said, as was said of the
Roman Emperor: Yesterday, the word Of
Cesar might have stood before the
world; today, none so poor rs to do him
reverence. To-day, he stands before the
world "a brave man, struggling with the
storms of fate."