The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-09-10

work elsewhere.
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TAs x.prs. xsgsnis snA Con. Troehu.
The Conssituaonnel publishes what it
states to be the authentic text of n letter
written by the ex-Empress to the Duchess
de MOuchy In answer to certain imputa.
lions Understood to be conveyed Ia General
Trochu's defence Of his own conduct upon
certain acts Of her Majesty during the Re-
gency. The letter IT, stated to have been
communicated to the Paris papers in cor
rection Of an erroneous version, which had
gained publicity through foreign medi-
um. The following 10 . translation
CHIsELHURsr, Jane IL, 1s7l.
Dearest ANAL have just read in the
Journal O1iciet the speech Of General
Trochu. i do not know II indignation is
strong enough to Overpower the disgust
who, after having betrayed and deserted
the Empress, now attempts, from the
French tribune, to cast dishenor on the
weman.
"In fAnciful narrative OF facts, he
dares to represent me as an ambitious per
and the E@fe=c>. He would be glad TO
erase his name from . proclamation for
reasons which he may perhaps find in his
heart, bat which, thank GOd, have never
had . place in mine. He coasts about the
truth as he coasted about the Tuileries,
q real fact in order to misrepresent 1t. The
first sentence Of his proclamation (the
draft of which he showed to me on the
night of the 18th Of August) announced
that the General preceded the Emperor
only by few hours This having proved
not to be the fact, it became necessary to
alter the words. observed as much TO the
general, and that 10 the incident OF which
he avails himself in order to charge me
with acting an odious part. You, who
know that the Emperor has become more
dear to me since our misfOrtunes-yOu who
know how much admire his self-denial,
his courage, his immovable calmness under
the vilest calumnies-can yOu believe that
I would have chosen such q moment to
deny hint -
"There is also an accusation which
desire to refuse. General TrOchu asserts
that the Regency did nothing towards the
defence of Paris from the 18th August to
the 4th September. am perfectly certain
that Investigation will prove the contrary.
The General accuses himself: it was he
who was president of the committee of de-
fence. Nobody could thwart him. Full
powers were placed in his hands-the
powers of the state of siege-such exeep-
tional powers as Cavaignac exercised in
l64s, and MacMahon in 1871. As regards
myself, accept without hesitation my full
share of the responsibility which belongs
to me in the political events in which
have taken part as Regent; but there is
one claim which shall not surrender-it
is to have had but one thought, the safety
of the country and to have, under all cir
cumstances, made dynastic considerations
secondary to the welfare of France. In so
acting did, after all, but follow the ex-
of Sedan, he sacrificed himself to save
20, 600 lives; when he Gas 1T were) efaced
himself in order to allow the Regency full
liberty to treat without him, in doing
which he supposed he was removing the
sole obstacle that stood in the way of
peace, the King Of Prussia having declared
that it was the Emperor, and not France,
he was fighting.
CAT that very time Trochu, having en-
tered into compact with the Opposition,
makes q Revolution, and so deprives
France of all support from Monarcti-
Governments from all engagements they
had contracted against her, and commenced
! that sheroic madness which is the cause OF
our worst misfortunes. And yet for all
| that, "a he himself avows-at the end OF
September, he neither believes in the de-
fence Of Paris nor in the provincial armies
nor has he hopes from any quarter except
from British intervention, or Italian, oil
lAmerican-the morbid dream of his OWE
excited imagination.
"In order to realize it, he begins by
shutting MP in Paris the Minister of For.
j
from the Diplomatic body he, who is Sc
sternly severe against what he calls the
want of foresight (impreUoydaces) OF tn
Empire, can foresee nothing; he waits fol
events to relieve him of his post, he waits
until chance shall provide an issue to tn
defence of Paris. His political eapaclt.
bas been tested. AS to his personal char
, acter, can 1 feel esteem fcs it when re
member what he said to me in order to as
+ sure me of his loyaltyf He said it wit
, sncb an air of sincerity, that L could no
: suspect him sRecollecs thatI am Breton
Catholic, and soldisr; He has .h since os.si
Q land Of fidelity; that the Catholic 10 bound t
: God by the oath he takes to man and tha
= the soldier ought not to unsheath against
: cause the sword which he received that
r al here conclude my long letter, a
y though have much more to say; but tim
}, dresses. and wish to take advantage Of
Q safe opportunity of writing to you.
/ "Iembrace you teEzaerly, you and your
N your affectionate Aunt, EUGENE"