The New York herald., 1871-03-28

hours, after which, thoroughly fatigued, and
seeing no chance to register their votes, they
were compelled to return home.
WHAT REPRESENTATIVE ELECTION IN FRANCE
MEANS
Indeed, representative elec tions in France
have hardly ever resulted in what should be
expeoted-viz., expression Of the real public
opinion. The first Chamber, which sat In
1915, was generally called ''introuvable !" all
the Chambers since have partaken Of the same
character, stoutly opposing that which was
actually carried out, and afterwards received
universal appreciation. This is clearly shown
by the history of France, and by that Of my
own government. / always had to hook away
from the representatives if wanted to find
out the will of the nation. This is q fact
which will certainly surprise your enlightened
American citizens, but which is due to local
influences and preferences, which, when
brought to bear upon the minds of the masses
OF the French people, essentially deficient as
they are in the rudiments of political inteli-
gence, become all-powerful agents.
THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO REACH THE SIMPLE
MINDED PEOPLE
is by direct appeal, by plfbiscites, which in
the revolution of 1894, and again in 1896, were
sanctifed as the fundamental law of the land
plf6iscites which confirmed the rule OF Emperor
Napoleon l., and thrice my own rule. You
now see, sir, the great disparity between ma
tional sentiment as expressed by plf6iscste
and turbulent Assembly Of representatives,
unfairly elected, such as that at Bordeaux.
oONw's DEFENCE.
CoRREsPoNDENT-What does your Majesty
think of NJ. Contis unsuccessful endeavor to
plead your cause in that Assembly?
EMPERoR-He certainly meant well, though
he might have selected more favorable mo-
meut. what argument could prevail against
unbridled passion and party ambition, against
the factions of legitimisIs and Orleanists, re-
publicans and reds, each contending for power
over the other in that Assembly,
CONSEQUENTLY preside over it is GER
tainly no easy task.
MGRATITUDE OF THE MEN WHOM NAPOLEON
ELEVATED.
my enemies were of so honest and impartial
character as M. Grevy But the saddest
ingredient in the cup Of bitterness is the
almost incredible ingratitude of many Of those
who owe all they are to me, whom l have
raised to rank and position and treated with
unlimited confidence and friendship.
M. THEIRS Willy POLITICIAN.
CoRREsPoNDENT-WillM M. Theirs succeed in
carrying out his programmed
EMPERoR-M. Theirs is willy politician,
very skilful intriguer. He has grown old in
plotting and shifting. l will give you an
instance. / am credibly informed that on
the evening of September 8 M. Theirs was
approached with proposition to proclaim the
Prince Imperial as my successor under the
regency of the Empress. 81 heartily approve
Of it," he replied; lit is an excellent idea, and
the only way in which we can give the country
really constitutional government" Only Q
few hours later, on the morning Of the 4th, in
the Corps Legislatif he delivered bimself of
the most violent expectorations against my
dynasty, and was foremost in breaking up this,
the only legitimate Assembly in France.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Now, does your Majesty
think it likely that M. Theirs will long remain
chief of the executive power2
EMPERoR-Anything may be expected from
such smart wire-puller. The Bordeaux As
sembly had but one mission-that was to de-
eide upon the continuance of the war or ac-
ceptance of conditions Of peace. Having done
this it ought to have ceased its functions, in
stead of being converted into an arena of
reciprocal vituperation and calumny. AS for
M. Theirs, some day, if the wind should seem
favorable to him, he may pronounce in favor of
the Orleanists. Or again, he may try to pro-
tract an indefinite state of things, a condition
of suspense, 80 injurious to the welfare of the
country. How is the feeling towards
me in Germany? What do they say of me
therep
HOW NAPOLEON IS REGARDED IN GERMANY.
CoRRRsPoYDENT-You Majesty is aware
that all the public interest in Germany was
absorbed by the sole thought of peace. Some
grumbled that Belfort was given back, but the
great majority hailed with enthusiasm the final
return of peace. Amid the joyful agitation,
must needs avow, that little or nothing was
said of your Majesty's dynasty. l heard no
expressions Of sympathy, but also none to the
contrary.
Observation-Disclosures might more easily
be endured than measureless calumny. Let
me give you an instance of the unwarranted
attacks, as vrulent as they are false, made
against my government. They amount, sir,
to an utter Justification of history. Unscrupu-
lous enemies assert that at my instigation
twenty thousand and more lives were sacri-
feed on the Boulevards. On the I'd of De-
cember the number of victims amounted in
reality to about two hundred on each side, and