Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-02-06
SEWARD and NAPOLEON.
An Unwritten Chapter of the Rebellion,
IErnlr, the Sa,, E,rar,ciscc s.,ilasi.a.l

An Unwritten Chapter of the Rebellion.
from the San Francisco Bulletin.l
The death of the ex-Emperor Napo-
leon recalls an incident of the great
Southern rebellion, which has not hith-
erto been made public. It is well known
: that the late Emperor of the French was
an active and earnest sympathizer with
the South ; that more than once he Sc
riously meditated moral Intervention in
its behalf that the invasion of Mexico
and the enthronement of Macmillan in
the seat of the Montezumas was part
OF deliberate plot to break up the
American Union But to what length
he owresolutely determined
he was to carry his fell design into exc
tion-has been fully known outside OF
narrow official circle The story of his
purpose is short but suggestive, and was
told by Mr.. Seward to few personal
friends at dinner party, among whom
was the writer of this article. No one
who was present will ever forget the in
tense earnestness and animation of the
great statesman as he related the mo-
mentous incident. The exact words, so
pregnant with eloquent meaning-so sol
emn and impassioned-we cannot in
every instance reproduce, but the general
import is given below:
=" It was" said Mr. Seward, in the
darkest days of the rebellion. Disaster
upon disaster had befallen the Union
armies. Treason was active and bold
fronted at Washington, in the North and
In the West. Rebel emissaries and their
allies were plotting against us over the
Canadian border Our foreign relations
were most critical. Rebel cruisers were
being fitted out in British ports and sent
to prey upon our commerce Germany
was coldly neutral the smaller European
States were Indifferent spectators of the
conflict Russia was the only friend we
had among the powers of the earth
g In this desperate emergency I re-
ceived an autograph letter from the En-
peror of the French It was marked
private and confidential 1t began
with expressions of personal regard for
myself, and pain at the spectacle of the
great Republic in the throes of dissolu-
ton. Personally said Napoleon, I
could wish the cause of the Union to
succeed. But the welfare of France and
the force of popular opinion are para
mount to individual sympathies. Our
commercial interests are seriously suffer
ing from the prolongation of your WAL
My subjects appeal to me to arrest the
bloody conflict. I must obey the voice
of France at whatever cost. You can
not put down the rebellion embrace the
earliest opportunity to make terms with
the South. If you fail to do this, I shall
feel compelled, in the interests of my
country,-in the interests of civilization.
to intervene with all the power at my
command"
g answered Napoleon's insulting let
ter Immediately. l did not waste words
in compliments. I said This is
family quarrel. We propose to settle it
IN our own way and in our own time
We do not wish the assistance of out
siders we will not brook interference.
The American Union is to be preserved.
1t shall be preserved, if it takes twenty
years to do it. The war is hardly COM
menced yet ) the people are Just begin
ming to warm to the work We wish to
be on good terms with our neighbors-
we wish especially to be on good terms
with France, our ancient friend and ally.
But you must keep hands off If you
presume to interfere, we will show you
what a free people battling for national
IL.
have conducted the war humanely, in
accordance with the codes that govern
the most Christian States. Interference
on your part will be the signal for a war
of conquest and destruction We willfree
the negroes we will put arms in their
hands, and send them forth to ravage
and plumber. We will make the South
waste and desolation Raise hand
against us, and horrors worse than those
of San Domingo will be seen from one
end of the South to the other
1.-The letter was sent by the first
steamer. The same day [ telegraphed
to Thurlow Weed, Archbishop Hughes
and Bishop Simpson to meet me at the
Aston House the morning following.
That evening left for New York, and
explained to these eminent gentlemen
the objects of the conference and the
new danger that threatened the Union
cause. I told them that they must at
once go to Europe, to labor unofficially
with the Government and ruling classes
In England and on the continent, to rep
resent the wickedness, danger and folly
of foreign interference. In less than
week they were Gu their journey, reaching
Europe at most opportune moment
Mason and Sliden had Just been seized
England was IN white heat of rage)
and did much towards convincing
Europe that the proper thing and the
only thing to do was to leave us alone.
And the mission cost the Government
less than $1,000"