The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-23
MORNING, SEPTEMBER %. 1870.

we may take across our frontiers, we vii
find upon 1t glorious traces Of our fathers
and wo win show ourselves worthy o
them" On the 2d of August the Froncl
army advanced and. captured Saarbruck
and Napoleon announced tho small affIil
In n jubilant telegram to tho Eugenio
saying that Little Louis received bis bap
tism of fro with 90 much tranquility thai
the soldiers wept." The same night he
returned to- Metz to celebrate.
Alas ! from tho very next day, when
tho Pr,issians carried Weissemburg, the
Napoleonio prestige was gone. The
Prussian success ut Weissemburg. was
followed on the 9th by McMahon's crush
Ing defeat, which was announced by the
Empress rs n fearful disaster for the En-
pire. Tho French ministry Of Ollivier
went down underthat defeat, while Louis
Napoleon sunk never to rise again. The
ministry Of Pallkao ruled In the name OF
the emperor, but without consulting him.
From the 9Th Of August TO the I'd Of Sept.
though tho battles around Metz, on the
l4th. 18th, and 10th, resulting In severing
Mcmahon from Bazaine and driving the
latter into Metz; all through tho march,
ings and counteriuarchings OF McMahon
In q vain effort to succor Metz all through
tho terrific battles Of Aug. 30th and 3lst
and Sept. LIST, between Beaumont and So
dnn.-Napoleon wns q practical refugee
moving with McMahou's army. =
The French people looked upon him as
the author ofthe disasters, and his name
was spoken contemptuously without re-
buke. In tho French Corps Lcgislatif
which was so lately his obedlent servant.
When therefore the news Of McMahon's
capitulatiOn at Sedan, on the Cd OF Sept.
reached Paris on the succeeding day, the
populace of that city rose on masse and
demanded the deposition of Napoleon and
the establishment of Republic. The
Corps Legislatif In q session lasting all
Saturday night into Sunday, Sept. 4th,
unanimously responded to tho popular
wish, and the Empire and Napoleon Ill.
were no more. The same day Eugenie
fled to Belgium. and sent her son Louis
to England, and on Monday. Sept. 9th, n
Prussian cortege bore simple Louis Napo-
leon Bonaparte to the castle Of Castel.
Louis Napoleon In one short month has
stepped from a throne on which he was
tho arbiter of Europe. to q prison in that
country no was to conquer, without n
single word of regret from the people he
lately ruled. The glory of his uncle's
career gave him tho foothold In France.
which he has since maintained by tho
strong measures taken 10 establish him.
self on the throne. Never for moment
have the Orleanists given him more than
such quiescenco In his government as cir
cunlstances and policy required. Never
have the legitimists abandoned for an In
slant their hopes Of seeing the regular
line of French sovereigns restored to the
throne. To the republicans he has been
u perjurer,-one who being admitted to
France by suffennce, Immediately began
to abuse the good nature of his friends by
violating every pledge, and finished by
laying his heaviest hand upon them to
crush them. The great body Of the poo
pie were and remained devoted to I'm
perial because the Emperor gave them q
government which maintained civil or
der, gave ample opportunities for every
one to devote his time to the pursui. Of
wealth and pleasure, and dazzle them and
foreign people with Its brilliant glitter and
pomp. 1t was the prestige Of success
that failed all was gone. So long as the
parvenu could keep up the show Of sta
ton and power his courtiers were numer-
Gus, but for a sick old man, captive In
the hands Of the enemy, the author Of
their misfortunes, the hopeless toy of for
tune, they can have neither pity, nor love,
nor respect. .... ....,-....r ...,
We do not suppose that there are no
impcrialists left In France. All men are
not SO base rs to worship power, nor so
tickle rs to conceive contempt for the lion
In chains, though they feared and honor.
ed him while he was king Of the forest.
It Is probable that If tho late Emperor
were able to escape and to place himself
again before the people, ho would not
have reception so hearty rs that accord
ed to tho first Napoleon returning from
Elba, but he would find n numerous body
Of devoted friends and followers. It Is
nevertheless, hardly within the bounds OF
probability that he will ever be permitted
to test his popularity In Franco again.
He is held in too strong hands TO hope tn
escape, even II it should seem desirable
for him TO do so, and he Is moreover too
far advanced In years to dream of anoth-
or coup dctat, could he return to Franco.
His friends arc therefore unable to stem
the torrent of Indignation which all his
ancient enemies and all his more tickle
supporters have poured upon him, and
they are compelled to follow tho plan
which they have been able, with imperi-
nj assistance, to force for so long time
upon the aiherents of other dynasties.-
ono of patient waiting, of smothercd hut
not abandoned hope, Of eager and watch-
fiil attendance to tho course Of events.
OF their late chief they can have no hope
Mt NIL. Perhaps they may find some of
the old Bonaparte blood in the little Louis
when he has out-grown tho weakness Of
his youth. II Is tho only hope. Who