The New York herald., 1874-09-25

I from constituting o DEFINITE government. NO one
hoped TO crush the enemys armies with the spirit
less ana ncoherent levies that composed the only
military forces OF France at that epoch.
great number OF forts, were naturally lost. Defeat
succeeded defeat. and when nothing remained TO
oppose the enemy II was necessary to submit.
Germany could then impose The conditions that
we know. and France WAS compelled to accept
them
THE PRICE NATIONAL HONOR
1t has been sald TO natter unhealthy passions and
at1east the national honor That is another sue
cessiul lie which has grown to prejudice. The
Army OF the Rhine had saved the national honor
long before the demagogues had thought about
II. In one day my army ind lcted more
loss on the Germans Than did all the forces assem-
bled IN Paris In four months. BY fire and lead
lost one-third OF my effective force, and had as
many as $4,000 wounded In the ambulances oil
ment OF three battaions lost all its superior
officers and was commanded by a captain. AT
sedan 1000 OF our troops Lay Oh the deId before
MacMahon and myself have some times been un-
fortunate, but never ridiculous. And am not
while lighting me.
II any thing could have lost the national honor It
and Tours offered The tirst, with It's riots in
presence OF the enemy, It's assaults on the hotel
de Vllle, It's nching OF governments, its demon
suatons OF noisy and pretentlous militia, It's bar
ficades and the boOdshed IN tae streets, and It's
nnal impotency The second with its chance die
taorship, It's pompous dlscourses, It's mill AIRY pre-.
tensions, It's too comica strategy, It's shameful
contracts, Its purchases OF condemned arms. It's
waste OF pluck and OF the resources helas that
the country put at the disposition OF these
dictatorS.
NOT TO BE CAUGHT WITH CHAFF.
am an old soldier. who knows nothing OF poll
tics / have made campaigns, not speeches, and
do not allow myself to De deceived ike the mass
Of the government OF chance to which allude-
NJ jules tavre, beheve-gave me, on behalf OF
me no doubt, avow it had little effect. A little
later his colleague NJ Gambetta, wished to qualify
me IN dlnerent sense. He declared me TRAITOR" +"
and ordered that / should be considered as the
lowest OF criminals. These big words OF NJ. Gam-
beta no more moved me than the batteries OF his
colleague ana friend, NJ. Jules Favre.
Pubic opinion Is mistaken in Its estimate OF
me, as it was mistaken alter the Mexican expedi-
ton.
There was then a general Discrimination to ad.
init that had evacuated Mexico IN obedience to
tue orders OF my government.
MAYIAILIAN's DEATH.
The Emperor had TO choose between the evacua-
ton OF Mexico and the chances OF serious con-
nict with the United States, and TO avoid the con-
sequences OF the CONFLICT he gave me orders to
return.
Have not been accused OF the death OF the EN-.
peror Maximilian, and sometimes even now am /
not accused OF ltS In America all this sa0uld be
understood.
me Emperor Macmillan did not wish to return
TO Austria for reasons that need not discuss here.
He refused to aDdicate and embark at the same
time my troops. lie admitted, however, that
the Emperor Napoleon could not sustain him
against the United states and against the opinion
OF France, which was daily becoming more unls, q,
listening to the cOuDsels OF my Old experience he
pushed into the interior OF the country and
found there, with his best generals an honorable
death few months after the departure OF the
last OF my soldiers.
This is the truth and the responsibility that at
taches to each one.
can console myself for many griefs by recalling
that even your own immortal Washington was not
completely sheltered IRON insults OF the same KIND
that have been showered on me- and that his
friend Lafayette passed through trials still more
terrible than mine.
Lafayette saw his sovereign, Louis XVI, decapi-
tated; his soldiers accused aim and even offered
the one that has iallen on me Lafayette was
obliged to take refuge in the enemy's camp.
among the soldiers Of the German Emperor.
Thanks to God, have been less unfortunate than
the great patriot.
CONSULTATIONS IN MISFORTUNE.
am far from being rich; but, besides my lib
erty, there Still remain TO me nesttmabe II eaS.
ures. For companions l have an American lady
VINO gives me the strongest proofs OF devotion;
have children whom adore, a brother and some
friends who nave remained faithful. My position Is
not hopeless IL need should be would follow the
example OF the illustriOuS General Lee, the van
quished OF Richmond, and demand from labor COM
pressed by the lrOwns Of fortune, and have not or
gotten the humDeness OF mT origin. have been
. simple soldier; carried my knapsack and my
musket; labor Is not repugnant to me, nor does 1t
humillate me. do not look on my military career
as ended; l enjoy health and bodily vig0r. Some
duties remain TO be fulfilled and shall fulfil them
when the time comes doubtless then, fortune,
| who has frowned on me so cruelty, viii grant me
q last SMILE as she often does to old soldiers.
Accept, dear Mr.. Bennett. with all my thanks
! renewed assurance OF my most distinguished CON
! sderaIDn. MARSHAL BAZAINE