The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-11-18
NAPOLEON INTERVIEWED.
The Ex.Emperor's Opinion Of the
French RePublic-His Account Of
the DOWNFALL OF Mis- Government.

LONDON, Nov. 9.-Thc New York
Hcrald's special correspondent gives
an account of an interview with Nap
oleon at Wilhelmsbohe OIL the Sth.
The Emperor said that when the press
was freed entirely by him it was
seized bv demagogues and unscrupu-
lous politicians, who openly preached
disobedience to the laws, and that, too,
successfully in perverting the minds
of the people.
On the subject of the recognition of
the French republic, by the U. States
the Emperor said 81 suppose Amer
leans would naturally sympathise with
republican institutions, but all thecon-
ditions requisite to a true republican
form of government are absolutely
wanting in France Those who have
boldly grasped the reins of govern
ment have already shown their inabil-
ity to establish such a government.
That for which they blamed me most
they have been compelled to do them
selves, and impose sill more ObnoX-
ious restrictions upon the press. The
restraint upon the press, for instance,
was the constant theme of attack on
my Government, but whilst l made
but moderate restrictions, and pro-
ceeded, by a mild system of warning,
they have suppressed a number Of
Journals because they do not chime in
with their fantastic ideas of Repub-
lican sentiments. Presupposing the
vital interests ola majority of people
in the concerns of the country and
willingness to put their shoulders to
the wheel does not exist in France.
The republic Of America and the re-
public Of France are as different as
white and black. Your country peO-
pie submit to the law: public senti-
ment and a spirit based upon general
intelligence and morality dictates and
controls society. Are not your thea
tres in New York and Boston allowed
to perform such plays as they deem fit !:
Correspondent-Certainly they arc.
Emperor-Then suppose you should
treat the public to performances of
impure and offensive pieces, what
would the consequences be! The
press would denounce them. nobody
would 60 to see them and they would
be condemned by the verdict OF the
pnblic. But in France the greater the
departure from morality and decOrum,
the greater will be the crowd flOcking
to delight in it. 1t is no easy work to
curb such an extravagant spirit in a
country so often unhappily shaken by
revolution. 1t requires the utmost
energy to build up anything.
COrrcspendent-Will your majesty
please to enlighten the American poo
pie as to the Immediate causes of the
catastrophe which upset your Gov
eminent?
Emperor can only liken it to an
earthquake, sir; produced by the
combined action and influence of ele-
ments whose existence we are aware
of without being able to trace their
sudden operations. My Government
has been almost too willing to listen
to the clamors of those who, some
times bonafied, imagined they knew
best how to promote the welfare of the
| country. l thus consented TO a re-
mOval of the last existing check to the
right of free assemblage, and no SOON
er had I done SO than the privilege
was abused to all unlimited extent.
Public meetings M longer discussed
political or social questions in 4 sober,
dignifed manner, but became tumul-
tuous in the highest degree. During
q whole year. assassination, poisoning,
rebellion and the most abominable
passions were openly preached to the
masses. and urged upon them as the
best and only al of saving the
country.
Observation-Disclosures such a con-
dition of affairs does not augur stabil-
ity to a republican form of govern
ment. The views of your Mejesty,
who is an able judge, will deeply in
tcrest the American people.
The Emperor know them TO be a
frank-heartcd and generous nation,
and cannot believe they approve the
slanderous accusations now preferred
against me Have YOU read the vile
statement published in the Indepen-
denee Beige and other journals, to the
effect that l had appropriated the pub
lie funds, and conjured up the war to
C0fcc8 SuCu iitCe6t tidiSoStioi'S >
wieh to state emphatically that the
commission of such a breach of trust
under my governmental France, even
if desired, is an utter impossibility.
Not a single franc is expended
without severe checks on the part Of
the ADMINISTRATION. This is well
known to every intelligent man in
France. I could hardly attempt TO
contradict all the base, vile calumnies.
though they have been believed by a
few.
In order to show that by far the larg-
est part of my own civil list has been
expended by me, for the benefit Ofthe
public institutions of the country, yOu
may have seen q statement. published
by my order, signed by Mons. Thelin.
nv Treasurer, to contradict unfOun.
ded assertions of a certain Mons. Paul
have some property in Italy, which
was left to me by my father, my wifi
has a private dowry and her iewelry
with these exceptions we have moth
ing.
COrrespOndent-lOur Majesty hav.
ing preached the topic. will You please
saw how il is about the story that you