Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-09-16
appreclate the conduct of a commander.in.

is appreciate the conduct OF commander-in
:. After lengthy enumeration Of the circum
D. stances under which he accepted and exer
IS clsed his command the writer continues a
g. follows:
e HE DABBLE3 IN POLITICS.
Ny excuse for engaging IA politics is, that
did so IN spite OF myself, and because the
revoluiionists had done so before did. L had
= sworn allegiance 20 the emperor and the con.
n stit9tion approved by the popular vote.
n held my command from the emperor and moi
s from the insurrectionary government, an un-
Il worthy faction thai took advantage of the
: absence OF the emperor and the army TO in
J. vede the corps Iegfsls til believed the EN-
: peror of Russia would come TO our assistance;
5 teat Victor Emanuel might pass the Alps and
e pay the debt OF gratitude he had contracted
: at Magenta and Solferino. . II that
: be TO meddle In politics then did so; bat
e those who reprOach me with 1t as a crime
nave done as much without any authority.
AN UNSOUND VERDICT.
The court-martial has found a way to con-
denim and TO absOlve me at the same time, and
IN the same breath declare me criminal and
nero. They We're puzzled what course to
pursue. Their duty urged them TO apply a
Dracontan law; their consciences told them
was guilty neither O. treason nor Of conspira-
| ey. Three years after the events subordiilates
sat in judgment on the chief OF the army.
Peace being signed, all found need 10 direct
their anger against some one and as their en-
peror was no longer there, / was chosen as the
OBJECT or general attack. Those who, before
| the war, demanded universal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
VINO would have urged rebellion had the en-
peror attempted 70 Introduce The Prussian
military system, accept it to-day.
NAPoLEoNiS FRIEND.
The emperor, UNDERSTANDING the animation
always had confidence in my loyalty and
would never consent TO abandon me. Ny
gratitude Is also due 20 Thiers, who had The
Mexico. l am convinced that had he not
been overthrown he would have found a
nlsans means OF avoiding the disgraceful trial 20
which was subjected.
AISAtsE LOST
The loss of Alsace has been imputed to me. |
put The truth is that Alsace was lost after
helchSchoppen: Even after the disaster, and |
aiJef the preclpltate retl cat OF the army, Metz
could have been saved when Thiers, who alone
retained his common sense, came 10 propose /
peace; but the struggle was continued In or
der that the dictatorship might be retained
prevented.
THE MILITIA AND THE PRUSSIANS.
The enemy could never have been crushed
with raw levies, without discipline or ardor;
defeat followed defeat, and when nothing re-
manned we were completely in the power OF
the national honor, but the Army of the
Rhine had saved 10 before the demagogues
thought Of doing so. In one day 1t had in
hicted more loss on the Germans than did all
the forces OF Paris in four months.
BUT Nut RIDICULOUS.
MRcMahOn and I have been unfortunate,
but never ridiculous. No German ever ,
laughed while fighting me. Such sights as |
We're seen at Paris and al Tours could only
compromise the national honor. For myself
am an old soldier, and do not understand
politics. 1 make war, not speeches, and do
not allow myself to be frightened by big
words.
Jules Favre lattered me; Gambetta called
me a traitoTi but that did not move me.
THE DEATH OF MAMMALIAN.
As regards Mexico the emperor had TO
moose between evacuation and wRr with
he United States. To avoid conflict he gave
ne order TO return; but MaXimilian was un |
wiling either to return to Austria or to abdi.
ate, although he well understood that Napo-
con could not sustain a struggle with the
United States. Macmillan, in spite Of wise
,ounsels, preferred TO seek an honorable death.
mat Is the truth, and that is the secret OF each
mes responsibility. For my consolation the
hOught remains that even Washington did a
lot escape injustice, and that Lafayette
'assed through Ordeals more terrible than
nine.
CONSULTATIONS IN MISFORTUNE.
am far from being rich; but, besides my :
,oerty, there still remain 10 me immeasura- =
le treasures. For companions / have an -
.merican lady who gives me the strongest {
roofs OF devotion; have children adore, a (
rother and some friends who have remained
'ithiul. My position is not hopeless; If need | +
lOuld be, would follow the example of the | z
)nquered Richmond and take refuge in Ia y
or. Simple soldier, l carried musket; labor
Oes not dishonOr. do not looK on my mill
.ry career as ended. 1 enjoy health and
)diy vigOr. Some duties remained to be
tnlled, and l shall fulfill them when the
me comes. 1 hope fortune will grant
g last smile, as she often does to old SOL
ers.
Accept, dear Mr.. Bennett, with all myi :
anks, renewed assurances Of my most dis "A
lguished consideration.
MARSHAL BAZAINE.