Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-22
BRAVE MAN.

Marshal Mcmahon, Duke of Magenta,
has inst done what no other officer in all
France cared or dared to do; he has fully,
freely and frankly indicated the honor of
Napoleon III. The world knew before that
Mcmahon was heroic; to-day heis regarded
as the most chivalrOus man in Europe.
What Ducrot failed to do; what all the 9th
er marshals and generals failed to do, Nc
Mahon has done in his blunt, soldierly way.
American readers have not forgotten yet
the peculiar features of that unaccountable
campaign which eliminated at Sedan, and
which cost the Emperor his Empire and his
throne He alone, of all men, re-
ceived the blame, and went away
into exile preserving a silence which,
while it was sorrowful and dignified, in no
manner seemed to seek other victims than
himself upon which to cast the terrible res
possibilities of the overthrow. Some pity
might have still remained in French hearts,
even then, if the truth had been known,
and if the true relations between Napoleon
and his army had been understood by the
people. Gen. Wimpffen, the signer OF the
terms of capitulation, should certainly have
known better when he declared that the
Emperor prevented sortie which might
have preserved the bulk of the army, and
commanded an unconditional surrender.
Mcmahon, however, tells the whole truth.
In his testimony before the committee on
the conduct of the war, he declares on his
oath that he alone is responsible to the
country fer the march from Chalons to Sc
dan; that by his orders alone the army
marched; that the Emperor, in no way
whatever, interfered with his plans or those
of the other commanders; that from the
first, he, Mcmahon, had been left free to
manage the army in his own way
the most the Emperor ever attempt
ing to do consisted of suggestions and
recommendations; that he always received
the Emperor's cordial support and that
during his entire connection with the army
he was actuated by but one mOtiye-that of
devotion to France at the sacrifice of every
thing else-his throne, his family, the hopes
of his dynasty, and his Ownpersonal safety.
The Marshal continues by saying that his
army deceived him. He thought it could
make eighteen miles day, while it only
made ten, and that 10 this cause alone
should the disaster be attributed. Had it
been otherwise, and had he succeeded in
obtaining such marching results as he had a
right to expect, a junction would have been
made with BaZaine and the issue might
have been different. --.r....t
This statement of Mcmahon has made
profound impression in France. 1t was at
first attempted to suppress its full force by
the complete silence of the newspapers; but
the army took it up and cast it forth broad
cast, commenting upon it in every garrison,
and expressing open ahd undisgllised sym
pathy for the fallen Emperor. Especially
was this the case in the ranks of the I'M
perial Guard, who toasted Mcmahon for his
generosity, and declared with rather more
emphasis than discretion that one empire
was better than forty republics. Certainly
the Marshal has done the Bonaparte family
no harm by this frank avowal of his, and
has greatly increased the admiration Of
all for his own honorable and unselfish