The New York herald., 1873-12-01

which carried with 1t salary or $4,000 year.
Two years after this MacMahon distinguished him.
self by an act OF political honesty which nigh
wrecked all his future prospects. and which the
Emperor never wholly forgave. After the attempt
OF Orsni on Napoeon's lie In 1858 Draconian bill
was introduced In the Senate. providing for the
arbitrary arrest and transportation without judg-
this bin to be nqutous, and he voted against it,
though he was the only Senator who had the patri-
otto courage to do so. Being told that the En-
peror was seriously displeased with him, he an
swered nobly, Il am sorry. then, for the En-
peror;' and this reply being reported at the TUT
leries. Napoleon frowned from that day on Mac
Mahon, and for the next tweIvemonth never spoke
to him at court. In 1862 however, the Italian war
broke out, and the clever movement by which
General MacMahon saved the French army at Ma
genta obliged the Emperor to give MIN conspcu-
reward. There is no doubt that II MacMahon had
not taken it upon himself to come without orders
to the rescue OF the Imperial Guards. whom Ma
poleon had lmprudently jeopardzed by pitting
u
to them, the French army would have sustained
crushing defeat and probably the Empire itself
would have collapsed MacMahon was created
Field Marshal and Duke OF Magenta; but it was
well said at the time that it was not the Emperor
VINO bestowed these distinctions; they were con-
ferred on the conquerIng General by the unani-
nous clamor Of the French army.
MAcMAHoN DIsTRusTED BY THE EMPEROR.
1t. is no secret that after the Italian war
Napoleon began to look upon MacMahon with
mistrust The Marshal was too popular and too
independent to please a sovereign who expected
al his servants to be absolutely submissive. Be-
sides, the Emperor had weakness which was to
consider himself able general, like his uncle,
a matter OF constant irritation and jealousy to
him. He refused even to appoint MacMahon War
Minister or to give him command OF troops in
or near Paris; and in 1854 he sent him
There MacMahon remained till the outbreak OF the
Prussian war, in 1870, governing the troublesome
colony strictly and yet kindly; and there he
might have ended his days II the Empire had sur
vived. However, the Empire started In 1870 on its
road to ruin. and MacMahon was among the
most active though unfortunate OF its latter
day defenders. OF ms defeat at Worth, Mont
medy Beaumont. Douzy, Bazeiles, and, lastly at
Sedan, it is needless to speak. MacMahon
was everywhere overmatched, and the evidence
elected at the Bazaine trial proves that the
ures he himself took for the safety OF his army
were always overrdden by the Emperor. No
Frencnman lays on MacMahon's shoulders the re-
sponstbility OF his defeats He is called "LheroaQte
vasrcu =, for it is known that ne went into battle
as victim, and that he did his best against insu-
perable odds. MacMahon's defeat of the Com
mune put the crown to his prestige with the army,
and he is now reaping the fruits OF career which
has been stainless from the frst He is justly re-
garded as man who loves his country with
devoted aTection, and has served her through sum
shine and sorrow, noby, heartily and disinter.
estediy.