The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-02-19
Improbable Story About Mr.. Seward
and Napoleon. iii.

anu Napoleon. Ill.
The death of the ex-Emperor Napol-
con recalls an incident of the great
Southern rebellion which has not hith-
erto been made public. 1t is very well
known that the late Emperor of the
French was an active and earnest SYM
pathizcr with the South, that more than
once he seriously meditated material in
tervention in its behalf; that the inva-
sion Of Mexico and the enthroncment Of
Macmillan in the seat of the MOnteZl,-
mas was a part of deliberate plot to
break mp the American Union. But to
what lengths he proceeded-hOw reso-
lutely determined he was to carry his
fell design into execution-has never
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 intense
earnestness and animation of the great
statesman, as he related the momentous
incident. The exact words, so preg
nant with eloquent meaning-so solemn
and impasSiOned-we cannot in every
Instance reproduce, but the general I'M
port is given below:
sit was" said Mr.. Seward, Gin the
darkest days of the r. bellion. Disaster
upon disaster had befalien the Union
armies. Treason was active and bold
frontea at Washington, in the North
and in the West. Rebel emissaries and
their allies we're 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 COM
merce. Germany was coldly neutral !;
the smaller European States were in
different spectators Of the conflict; Rus
STA was the only friend we had among
the powers Of the earth.
| "ln this desperate emergency re-
ceived an autograph letter from the En-
peror Of the French. 1t 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, Il
could wish the cause Of the Union to
succeed. But the welfare of France and
the force of public opinion are para
mount to individual sympathies. Our
commercial interests are seriously suf-
fering from the prolongation of your
war. My subjects appeal to me to ar
rest the bloody conflict. | must obey
the voice of France at whatever COST
You cannot put down the rebellion
embrace the earliest opportunity to
made terms with the South. If you
fail to do this, shall feel compelled, in
the interests of my country-in the in
terests of civiliZation-to intervene with
all the power at my command
i 81 answered NapoleOn's insulting let
ter Immediately. l did not waste words
in compliments. / said: This is fam
lily 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 preserv.
ed. 1t shall be preserved if it takes
twenty years to do it. The war is hard
ly commenced yet; the people are jus
beginning TO warm to the work. We
, wish to be On good terms with on,
! nei.hbors-we wish especially to be or
, good terms with France, our ancien
, friend and ally. But you must keeI
, hands off. If you presume to interfere
we will show you what free people
battling for national existence are capa
bic of. Hitherto we have conducted thu
war humanely, in accordance with tn
codes that govern the most Christian
> States. Interference On your part viii
be the signal for Il war of conquest AM
: destruction. We will free the negroes
! we will put arms in their hands, an,
i send them forth to rayage aud plumber
r We will make the South waste and
l desolation. Raise a hand against us
> and horrors worse than those of Sal
Domingo will be seen from one end Q
p the South to the other
. ''The letter was sent by the first stea
y mer. The same day [ telegraphed t
. Thurlow Weed, Archbishop Hughe
and Bishop Simpson to meet me at tn
AstOr House the morning following
That evening | left for New York, an
: explained to these eminent gentleme
# the objects of the conference and tn
. new danger that threatened the .Unio
cause. l told them that they must q
i once go to Europe, to labor unofficial
with the Government and ruling classe
in England and Oh the Continent, to re
present the wickedness, danger and fol
; ly of foreign interference. In less tina
y u week they were on their journey
q reached E,1rOne at q most OnDort1n