The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-04-09
Metternich and Napoleon.

1
| As announced in the Herald a few
days ago, Princh Metternich's postum
nous memoirs from 1773 to 1915, pub
1ished by his son, Prince Richard Win
neburg, were to have made their appear
| ance on the 4th or 9TH instant, in three
| languages, in London, Paris and Vienna
| simultaneously. There has been delay
in the appearance of the work, however,
| caused by the fact that the English trans
lation is not quite ready. The memoirs
were written partly in French and partly
in German, so that the task of rendering
them from one of the languages into the
other was a light one when compared
| with that of preparing an entirely new
volume. The conditions are that the
publications shall be simultaneous. The
French publishers are obliged to wait
until their English colleagues can pro-
duce their editions. The memoirs will
doubtless create considerable sensation.
In Difference to special testamentary dis
position made by the Prince, period of
twenty-five years was to elapse after his
death before they should be given to the
| world, when they were to be edited by
competent persons and printed. The
memoirs are said to contain political
revelations and personal ana of extraor-
binary value to the historian, and of
lively interest the public of every Euro.
pean country" One of the most inter-
est1ng episodes recounted in the memoirs
Is doubtless Metternich's own account of
the momentous interview which took
place between himself and Napoleon L.
at Dresden, on the 26th of June, 1918.
The Prince, on the part of Austria, Of
fered mediation, with view of clos
ing the war, but meanwhile was conduct
ing the negotiations which led to the
quadruple alliance, and ultimately to
Napoleon's defeat at Leipsic.
On June 25th / arrived at Dresden,
and alighted at the house of Count Bub-
ma. Napoleon arrived at the Saxon cap
ital few hours later than myself and
summoned me to his quarters for the fol-
lowing day. He was staying at villa in
the Marcolini Gardens upon the Eister-
wiese, for he did not venture to take up
his abode in the city itself, and more
into the Friedrich suburb for his protec-
ton. Napoleon's position toward his
army, as we'll as toward the French peo-
pie, was at that time very critical one.
The whole nation was split into two par
ties; the one consisting of the ''Men of
the Revolution comprising host of
persons whose destiny was bound up
with the endurance of the Empire, and
the other comprehending all the adhe-
rents of the Royal Bourbons. The
former were groaning over the hazard
GUS situation into which Napoleon's de-
vouring ambition had brought their in
terests; the latter did not as vet dare to
raise their heads, but were awaiting with
impatience the results of the coming
campaign, tor which the nation was even
then making gigantic preparations. The
French army itself yearned for peace.
It's Generals, without exception, felt but
little confidence in the result of a struggle
which would become more than unequal
SO soon as fresh allies should join che Rus
slams and Prussians. The Government of
the Rhenish Federation experienced great
difficulty in restraining the detestation
of Napoleon animating the German
people; their own attitude toward-him
was doubtful one, which caused
Europe to watch that of Austria with all
the more eagerness and anxiety. Under
these circumstances the appearance of
of the Austrian minister of foreign
Affairs at Napoleon's headquarters could
not but be regarded by the leaders of the
French army as an event, the conse-
quences of which would prove con-
elusive. It would be difficult for me to
convey in words any idea of the
miserably careworn expression which 1
observed in the faces of the courtiers
and generals, all glittering with gold
though they were, who crowded the
Emperor's ante-chambers, as [ passed
through them The Prince of Neufchatel
(Berthier) whispered to me, ssDo not
forget that Europe asks for peace. Above
all, France, who will not hear of any
thing but peacep I made no reply, and
entered the Emperor's private room.
Napoleon was awaiting me, standing, his
sword..at his side. his cooked hat under
his arm. He approached me with
obviously affected calm, and inquired
after the health of my Emperor. Soon,
however, his countenance darkened, and
standing opposite to me, he exclaimed,
$50 you will have war. Very well, then;
you shall have it! I annihilated the
the Prussian army at Lutzen; defeated
the Russians, at Bautzen; now you want
to have your turn. I give you rendez-
vous at Vienna. Human beings are
really incorrigible; nothing will induce
them to take lessons from experience.
Thrice have I replaced the Emperor
Francis upon the throne. I have
promised him to remain at peace with
him for the rest of my life; I have even
married his daughter. When I did SO I
said to myself, You are making fool
OF yourself But it is true, and cannot
be helped, although I now regret it."
From these Introductory remarks I
gathered that my position was even
stronger than had believed it to be. At
that decisive moment was enabled to
regard myself as the representative of
European society, Yes, I may now con-
fess it-Napoleon then appeared to me
small indeed. ssWar and peace" I re-
piled, s'are in your Majesty's hands. Ny
master, the Emperor, has duties to fulfill
before which ali other considerations
must give place Europe's future and
your own are entirely dependent upon
yourself. An abyss yawJns between
yourself and that which Eukope desires.
The world asks for peace. Tb assure that
peace you must withdraw within the
Limits thct are compatible with general
tranquility, or you must &nccnrnb IN the
otherwise inevitable stEjngc To-day
can still conclude s neace: TO-
= will be, Ps5l6aps. too late for you
- Emperor, my Sovereign,
himself to be guided in his con-
L -k<x<.e<