The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-10-07
MPoLEON'S MINIFEsTO.

His Views on the Situation-He Desires
the Defeat of the Prussians, even at
the Sacrifice ofIis Dynasty-Germuny
has More Interest In an Alliance with
France than In Her Ruin-Why n
Magnanimous Policy should be
Pursued.
La Situation, an In,perialist organ in London,
published on Tuesday last the following under
the heading. ':The Ideas of the Emperor" I'm
mediately after the failure Of negotiations with
Favre, Bismarck sent to Wllhelmshohe an ex-
act report of the interview. The Emperor,
upon receiving this, shut himself mp in his
cablnent The same evening Castelnau set
out for the PrIssian headquarters with the fol-
lowing note, wholly In the Emperor's hand.
writing:
WILHELHsHoHE, September &c.
In sending me news every day Of the events
which have happened since the hour when
Providence compelled me to surrender my
sword, the King has 10 ask the opinion of his
prisoner on the trials which the Prussian
armies impose upon France In what he believes
to be the interest Of Germany. The Counts
(Bismarck's) communications confirm me in
this opinion.
But is the time indeed come for me to re-
spond to this twofold expectation by the eX-
preston of my Thoughts Until the 4th of
September the reserve, TO which have adher-
ed since Sedan, was due to my firm resolution
to leave the Empress at full liberty to act in
accordance with the purposes of the country.
Since the 4th Of September could not but
of pF rny-
dynasty. should succeed in driving the invader
beyond her natural frontier. There Is proba-
bly an omission here. "They," in the next
sentence, refers to the Provisional Govern
ment.-ED.
in approaching the Count as they did, in
way the result OF which Was easy 10 foresee,
they msrepresented the real character OF the
war, thinking thus to be rid OF responsibility
for n general impulse to the influence OF which
INV government had felt bound to submit Tile
result was 10 destroy the effect OF the motives
which they have 10 refuse the conditions Of
tered; it was, above oil. 10 paralyze me ma.
tional defence at the very moment when 1t
was about 10 assume proportions worthy OF
France.
-44ie-ee..aeepresfs-to be unaware that the
armistice refused was necessary TO the recon-
struction Of a regular government, and ne IS
astonished that no one OF the powers legally
existing should have given its opinion upon
what he considers "a proof of the Kings mod
Grafton" No one could blame Frenchman
for having repaired an imprudent step BY re-
fusing to accept proposals little In accordance
with our glorious past. A duel like this which
is being fought between France and Germany
can only be brought to an end by the complete
ruin Of one of the two advcrsares, or oy their
close and honorable reconciliation.
First OF all, then, the Count ought to ask
himself whether Germany has more interest
in the ruin than in the alliance OF France. II
admitting the former hypothesis, Germany
does not believe that France is able TO IND
safety in despair-even though Europe should
consent to remain an Indifferent spectator Of
an invasion that has no fixed limit.
NV interview with the King authorizes me
to think that he much prefers an alliance with
France to her ruin; that he is not without anX-
iety as to the results OF struggle carried 10 eX-
tremities, and that he estimates at their trlle
worth the rights which perfect knowledge OF
the sentiments manifested during the war by
the different nations OF Europe would give 10
the two countries once closely united. II such
were in reality the Kings opinion, 1t would
only remain to point out the means OF giving
ir effect. But does it indeed belong to the con-
Guered so to define the obligations of the con-
queror that his generosity may not seem more
burdensome than his demands
I can only remind the Count tnat mag
unanimous policy never appeals in vain 10 the
heart OF the French people, while nothing Is
ever obtained by an effort TO touch the chords
of egotism or Of tear, which will remain uneI-
cited whatever reYcraeS Providence may i'll
tiict upon us.
France, if generous line OF conduct should
incline her toward q close and honorah;e alll-
ance with Germany would be the first 10 agree
that there was no longer reason tor the eX-
istence of a line of defence commanded by for
tresseS between the Two empires. AS for the
sacrifices France would have 10 endure beside,
she would not agree TO make them were she
not permitted to understand the immense all
vantages which accrue to the two nations from
peace of which their own will would hence
forth be sole arbiter.
In this view, the Powers, obliged to hold
themselves completely afoof so long as France
shall preserve hope of success, would have
serious reason for Intervening.
The frank and clear statement of the truth
which l always made, established between
France and myself q current OF sympathy
which nothing will ever be able to destroy.
We're | to affirm that our honor has no stain
to fear from a reconciliation based on the dis
armament of forlresses then become useless,
and on the principle of Il war indemnity 10 be
settled by experts, believe peace would be
possible. These conditions may prevent
France from having recourse to cXtrcmitics
which caprice or chance might render fatal
to the social order Of Europe.
Taught by experience sound appreciation
of the divisions by which she is torn, and de-
livered from the scourgc of war, France would
be swift to see aud admit that her lnisfOrtuncs
are due to her want of political unity. and that
she must hencetOrth seek her prosperity in
strict regard to the nvioiabillty other inslitu-
tions.
These considerations will daily have less
weight. especially ii the King hesitates to lake
them into account before attacking Paris. The
terrible shock which Providence has per-
mitted between Germany and France may
have struck out q spark which progress VIII
find useful TO the moral and material safely OIL
Europe. But il on both sides they persist In
looking to force as the only solution, there
will surely spring out Of this shock a tormida-
leunknown (un inconna reelou5tabts) as much
to the misfortune OF Germany as there has
been Of misfortune 10 France. NAPOLEON.
-aspN~o-<
GOLD IND BOND MIRKET.