Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-19
THE EXlLED EMPRR0R.
Col. Blanton Duncan's Inter.
view with Napoleon.
Prospective Restoration of the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Theirs, the Bourbons
and the SOyereigns
of Europe.
What Imperialists Think.
From the World.

IL
quainted with the drift of public opinion
as well as with some Of the prominen
actors in recent European events. Som
Of the results of his observations are toll,
in the subj lined report of conversation
which he had with one OF our reporters
"Wel, Colonel, it is understood tina
you have visited the Emperor Napoleon
at Chiselhurst and the world is anxiou!
to obtain from you any recollection Of
your relations with him which NAV bt
repeated"
81 cannot tell you much without VIC.
lating the courtesies of private life. You
of course see that it would be highly
improper to repeat any matters heard in
conversation which it was understood,
presume, was entirely private"
"Of course, still there are many i'm
pressions which you have doubtless
formed which there is no indelicacy in
relating of public person. Is the En-
perors health satisfactory at present."
eyes. He appeared TO be in excellent
health and quite cheerful. He was on q
catching excursion with me, and while
on board the yacht he moved about, oh.
serving everything, and enjoyed himself
quite as much as any of the party, per-
haps more So"
SIS he in good spiritsl Do you think
him detected at his reverse of fortune9"
| "He is in fair spirits and quite hope
| full. do not think that he is much dis
turbed at the loss of his position, and
doubtless neither he nor the Empress
would care to regain it were it not for
their son. The iDgratitude of many of
those who ought to have been their
friends has inclined them personally more
and more to private life"
"Wh hat hopes are entertained of their
restoration9 Is it not believed that the
Napoleonic game is gone up?"
'.Not at all. Shortly before l left
London l dined with member of the
Imperial family, who explained to me
some of the views which are now held
by the Imperialists. 1t is looked on as
certain that the imperial government will
be restored. France has but two par
ties, the Imperialist and the Red Repub-
licans. The Bourbons are nowhere.
Everything looks favorable for restora-
ton of the imperial power. The gov
| ernments of Europe are in favor of it,
for they see that the disturbed condition
of France is q perpetual menace to Euro
pean order; and they know that Napoleon
was able when at the head of affairs 10
keep the elements of disorder under.
have gathered this impression from many
of the foreign diplomatIsts whom l have
met abroad. 1t is the opinion Of our
own legation that the Emperor is likely
to be restored, ard that it would be pop
ular with the European potentates.
''But do not the Imperialists recognize
how unpopular the imperial government
has become?"
''Of course; but this unpopularity will
disappear in the light of the revelations
which III. DaYernois and others are
making of what France lost by over
throwing the empire after Sept. 4. The
result Of the Russian revelations must be
favorable TO the Emperor, for il is clear
that Russia was ready to interfere 10 his
favor but for the Oiecheunce. For
hundred other reasons il is but natural to
expect a strong revulsion of feeling in
favor of the empire. The army, too, is
strong in his favor"
"Whst is thought of the Theirs GOV
erpmenl2"
every one sees that that ia only a
makeshift government and that it cannot
last any time. The chief executive is an
old man and may die st any time. That
moment, if not sooner, France will be
plunged into another civil war"
you think So! VIII this be a red war
sgsin2 Has Gambetta still retained his
influenced"
Gle is still active, and he sides with
the Repubiicans-thst is, he will advocate
q republic of which the chief will be Leon
Gambetts We all know what founding
q republic in France means. 1t is, of
course, the next thing to foCnding a
dynasty. His diciRtoral conduct Just
before the surrender of Paris will be re-
membe cd By every one. He certainty
intended coup d'etst then, and pre-
sumo he has no: forgotten his project"
'What backing has he?"
"YOu know there rs 8 schism in the
French army at present. When the old
officers were in prison GamSetta supplied
their places by new men. Now the old
men coming back sre disgusted to find
these in their places. The veterans are
attached to the empire, the new to Gam
beta. That is one source Of his strength.
OF course he will also be supported by |
the Republicans.
"You suppose, however, that at the
final settling down the BOnapsrtes will re-
turn TO France and to power?"
II have no doubt of it. OF course the |
Emperor could not return now and at
tempt another BoulOgne expedition. l |
saw BaZline at Geneva last winter, and |
he made this very point. He said that it |
was impossible for the Emperor to return |
now to put himself at the head of his |
army and call for the allegiance Of the
French. That is not exactly the way he |
will return"
GLOW d. the Inperislists ike B4zaine
and his conduct at Metz ?"
"Wel, they think he did all she could.
As TO his fighting at Metz, Gambe'ta has
done much to Ciscredit HIM, but he be-
liCves that history will set him right, AM
a man of over sixty, with great wealth,
cares little for any thing else except the
verdict of history. He fought the battle |
Vi " dNciUttt ~ tsS W " III tilS ditiiltEdI IN
of the entire PIussian staff; they admit
that nothing but their superior force could
have beaten him, AS to his getting out |
of Metz, tie feeling now is that he could |
not have done go. Chsngarnier has gus
tanned his reputation in that respect"
"What about Lebmufin
well. he is looked upon as wretched
crea. ure
$50 return to the imperial family
what are your impressions Of the Em
pTess:"
SIT is hardly necessary to observe Whist
Ill the world has rtcogniZed-,ha. she is
4 woman of great force Of character. She
doubtless feels nOW that she male mis-
take In not allowing Palik 30 to put down
he riot which developed into the revolu-
ion. He could have done that by shoot
Dg down five or six hundred men. Her
health is good, except, perhaps, occasion
Ally slight neuralgia affection. She is,
Of course, cider looking now, and, indeed, |
50 is the Emperor, but they arc both in
good health, and cheerful
"Hsve they many visitorsln
''Yes. The royal family of England
visit them constantly. The Crown Prince
Of Sweden and the Russian Grand Duke
-, Enr1a-A Il,