Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-14
NAPOLEON HEARD FROM.

from his place of captivity, utters his voice
in relation to the affairs of the French peo-
Pile. 1t might have been supposed that an
Emperor who was responsible for plunging
his country into an unnecessary war. and
then lost campaign and crown and led the
way to the inevitable fall Paris and all the
present woes OF France, would be moder-
ate in his aspirations and cautious in max
ing charges against others for the disasters
of the war. Not SO, however, Napoleon.
Forgetting that he went out of his way to
pick o quarrel with Prussia, that he entered
upon the fight as though it were to be but
a holiday excursion to Berlin, and that he
surrendered himself and the best armvof
France on the field of battle, he now, a
captive, has the modesty to write a procla-
nation accusing others of weakness and
shifting from himself to them the respon-
sibility for this devils dance which has
cost France so dear. After his part in the
matter the less he has to say about the
incompetency of anybody else the better
for him. True there was division at Paris
after his capture, and who wonders at it
There was division in France before he
commenced the war. which nothing but
his control of the army kept under. When
he and his army were captured his power
ir France was completely gone The peo-
pie had no love for him. The dependents
upon his personal favor mourned his cap
tivity, but the people of France made no
lamentation over it rs they would had he
been the king of their free choice and
commanded their respect and love. His
empire was sham; the first shock
shattered it as though it was paste
board: His followers at Paris were help
less from the moment the news of the cap
ture at Sedan reached the capital. They
had lost their head, and beside losing his
direction and the prestige attaching to his
name and position, they had also lost the
flower and strength of that army by which
alone had he been able to maintain himself
upon the throne. Who wonders that after
the vote of Decheance the regency took to
its heels and Napoleons family suddenly
found that their duty called them to share
his captivity and quarters at Wilhelmshohe?
With vote in the Corps Legislatif declar-
ing the Empire at an end by one hundred
eighty-five in favor to none opposed, there
was no chance for Napoleon's friends to
hold the reins longer.
Neither was it possible for the new gov
eminent formed to prevent the capture of
Paris and the humiliation of France
Changing governments in time of war is
not an easy task, and pretty sure omen of
final defeat wherever attempted. twas
seen very clearly by persons outside of the
contending forces that the Prussians. at Sc
dan had settled the campaign in their IA
vor, and the capture of Paris, although it
might be delayed by continuing hostlities,
was inevitable. The best army of France
had been beaten, the Prussians had the
prestige of victory, the French govern
ment was disorganized, and if Napoleon
with every resource of the Empire at COM
mand was obliged to submit, it was mpos-
sible for the extemporized government to
make head against Prussia with the means it
controlled even had there been no difficulties
of faction to encounter. So. when, Napo-
leon charges others with the disasters of
France, he will improve his credit for moth
ing but impudence, of which the world
very we'll knew before he was not deficient.
lie was SPONTANEOUSLY beaten, yet he
complains that with diminished resources,
shattered government, discouraged
soldiery. and the way to Paris laid open by
his defeat, those who assumed the direc-
ton of affairs did not do what he in better
circumstances was unable to do. If this is
not the depth of meanness it must be very
near it. None but q craven would make
such a complaint. This is the man who
few months ago carried his head as high
us the proudest of monarchs, at whose nod
Europe trembled. Under his lead the
bravest of nations has been humbled in the
dust at the feet of Il conqueror, and now
he endeavors to cast the blame upon 9TH
ers, and makes an attempt to influence the
popular mind in favor of his restoration.
The people of France are noted for insta-
bility of character, but it seems impossible
that in any event they can be so wheedled
and disgrace themselves as to consent to
take back the author of all their loss and
humiliation in this war and place him up
on the throne again. We believe the
sting Of disgrace and modification has
been driven too deep into their hearts,
ever to allow them to commit SO AFFECT an
act. If they had a lingering spark of
respect and sympathy for Louis Napoleon