The New York herald., 1871-03-22
Battle for the Possession Of the
French Throne.
AUTHENTIC REVELATION
Petition of the Imprisoned Army
in Germany.
NApOLE0N's STATE OF HEALTH.


ing you posted on all aud everything connected with
the imperial prisoner, the ex-monarch OF France,
without whose presence here the castle and en-.
vlrons OF WihelmshUhe would not have ranked
higher in importance than any country crossroad
out in the West. When early in November your
correspondent commenced the task assigncd to hils
by interviewing his Majesty questioning and cross
examining him on matters which have not failed 10
interest the American, and In their turn even the
people Of the Continent he barely supposed that 1t
would become his duty to breathe 'or four long
months not only the Siberian atmosphere that has
prevailed In this elevated region, but also the pecu
liar atmosphere OF intensely pro- Napoleonic sent
ment which naturally pervaded the small circle
gathered around the imperial exile, and which ever
and anon was changed by departure or fresh arrt-
walls OF adherents Of the cause. In constant nteT
course with parties OF such decided trains ofthough
and action 1t cannot be wondered at that soon
felt my own sentiments leaning in the same direc-
ton as theirs, and that the strong arguments with
which they pleaded the cause OF the dethroned
dynasty gained more and more upon me- But
while took care in my reports to you to abstain as
much as possible from reflections and opinions or
my own deemed 1t my duty to the NEW YORK
HERALD to faithfully chronicle all the emanations,
one-slded as they were, Of the Emperor himself and
OF his retinue. And If add that all OF them are
gentlemen in the true sense or the word, that most
OF them have served the state ana their imperial
master for periods not less than fifteen aud often
more than twenty five years. which at the same
time speaks volumes for the sterling social qualities
OF the Emperor, DEFY any one to live and associate
for q length OF time with such parties, treat ana be
treated by them with the utmost civity and cordl-
ality, without becoming imDued more or less with
their spirit and interests. While but two months
ago these latter presented an aspect VOID OF fair
hopes for the future. they have since then been
gradually dropping. and IL may now appear TO many
taat the drama IS nearing It's END and that
THE CURTAIN Is ABOUT 10 FALL.
As for the wrlter blassed he has avowed himself
to be, and therefore Inc ined to call rather rra9e
uy, he does not THINK that the man VINO 1or twenty
years occupied lofty throne, either the admra-
tion or contumey Of the rest OF the world Is going
to disappear unDotced and mute as fish from the
scene. Or am 50 far blinded the real position Of
aairs as 10 be unable TO see that the star OF he Bo-
naparteS has set forever, and that the works and
ambition OF the Third Napoleon are inscribed on
page oil history which, by the current OF events,
leaves no mere room to speak OF bun, and stands
already as record OF the past 1t may be so. M.
province, however, Is not TO advance impressions OF
my own concerning matter upon which judgments
may differ so widely; rather conceive II my duty
aud 1t may be next TO the last time--to tell your
readers how the present situation Is looked upon by
the imperial party here, and to repori 10 you express
slon5 which, am in condition TO aver, have come
from the lips ot the Emperor himself think,
tnen that the Bonapares are sienced forever would
be the utmost deception. The world VIII he called
upon once more TO witness battle for the possession
THE FRENCH THRONE,
and under peculiar circumstances that II will be one
OF the most interesting aud at the same time IN
stractive conflicts in history. 1t Is Tor the third
time that Napoleon aims 10 put himself at the head
OF the French g0vernment-the first time a youth
Of noble Impulses, with the sword III hand Then as
q man with closed ylZor and diplomatic skill and
cunning which have almost become proverbia: now
In the decline OF life openly and canddly declaring
to the world the KIND Of arms he Will employ now
he means to fight and conquer. Undoubtedly this
renewed battle OF Napoleon Ill. for the throne OF
France VIII be the subject Of valuable study to the
FIJI Stat nd Net 1op
now speaking as you perceive, in that train OF
thought which is uppefmost In the minds OF those
turrets, ana only few steps distant rom my
lonely hotel hotel quarters. ] said that Napoleon
tactics and the character OF the arms to be en-
plOyed by him. They may have been revealed in
part by his late proclamation, aa but am enabled to
fallen from his Majestys own lips directly and been
committed to paper by me for the benefit OF the
NEW YORK HERALD readers. Let any one suppose
himself to be gifted with the power Of interpreting
the inmosr thoughts OF the Emperor and he would
be constrained to set them forth thus
Many of my faithful adherents and will ap.
prove q T. h in my late e the French peo-
synasy which has been conmea by ,see pesea
Iney in only the the Emperor but they forget
trine-of the sovereignty of the people. What does /,
su:sen wen $ u aas o. %
say sng B h1ye vi s wo nw pI
my .dhsrents must constitutional per
By time and the is that the wiz Of the
@ Ss hs ss . 70 sn
immediate through the channel Of certain men
empire Rs Of the peopIs and other
% ss snd e G ssrn qn
love the empire and will remain friends No
ss
Justice for the peoples that they determine upon such
prefer. My adheTents in spite Of overwhelming msoi
|
VIM and viii readily submit to any which owes Its origin to
sUPPosING THE CORRECTNESS OF THE PREMISES,
who will deny the excellency OF these sentiments, or
say aught against Napoleonic restoration on such
moral and liberal principes2 But this IS just the
reason--sO say my friends here--Why France has
sad future In store The lmprovised rulers likely to
appear on the scene Will never accord such just
rights to the people, who would at once revolt
against them, and on the other hand, there VIII be
based upon the sovereignty OF the people. They
directed my attention to document printed In
French, and which is headed
de rarmee franchise prisonnsre Alernasns rAssem
or which have rendered captiyty SO bitter
the most painful at present the thought Of the iuue OF our
Conquered by fatal circumstances we all have however,
and believe ourselves entitled be heard py the
The painful asiations which has suffered in conse
auence disasters have destroyed 10 the army
have been advanced have taken psfe %
Considering this of the greatest misorsunes we,
the undersigned, md hope the whoio army impri
Germany agree the sole and patriotic sentent
OF obedience that government which France may give
herself; soldiers does not allow us 10
active part IN political contests we have he rsn as
that the government in whose service
duty to shed blood be the veraoc expression Oh
the national will
the unIyersa suffrage or questions
Monarchy or rcpublcl . -. - ,.,....
Sopd OF the monarchy tths In case OF decision
upon honor 70 submit to the verdict OF the nation.
In showing me this petition they assured me that
II mad much displcased the Emperor, VINO, IRON
strict military standpoint, could not but depiecale
It, Though the independence SetJe In lfs customary
spite calls II Bonaparte manGuyrc, 1t wen knows
that the petition was drafted Ny Omcers WHO li.u q.
first I'm its own columns lifted their voices against
iorcibe restoration OF the Emperor by the Gernan
armies the subscription lists Tor this petlon are
already covered with many thousand signatures.
EAPoLEoN,s STATE OF HEALTH
is excellent and lie tails TO take his daily pro-