The National tribune., 1898-08-18

Bonaparte returned in haste from Egypt,
overthrow the imt3ecAe Directory, was pro-
claimed First Consul, and Immediately
set about the restoration of France.
The conSOlidationfof the Government,
! the restoration of the disordered finances
the qualification OF La Vendee, the forma-
ton and adoption Of constitution en-
crossed his mind, and he most ardently
desired peace. He, therefore, the momen
he was elected First Consul wrote with
King of England, and the other to the
Emperor of GeTmany-hoping by this
| frank and friendly course to appease the
two Governments, and bring about a
general peace.
lie had acquired sufficient glory as a
military leader, and he now wished to re-
suscitate France, and become great as a
civil ruler. In his letter to England he
uses the following language: Must the
war, Sire, which for the last eight years
world, be eternap Are there no means OF
coming to an understanding? How can
two of the most enlightened nations OF
Europe, stronger already and more power
full than their safety or their independence
requires, sacrifice to ideas of vainglory the
well being of commerce, internal pros
perity, and the peace of families7 How
is it they do not feel peace to be the first
of necessities as the first of glories?"
Similar noble, frank, and manly senti-
ments he addressed to the Emperor of
Germany. There were no accusations in
these letters, no recriminatiOns, and no
demands. They asked simply for negotia-
tons to commence, for the spirit of peace
TO be exhibited, leaving it to after efforts
to settle the terms.
Austria was inclined to listen to this
appeal from the First Consul, and replied
courteously to his letter. But she was
trammcled by her alliance with England,
and refused to enter into negotiations IN
which the British Empire was not repre-
scented. Pitt, on the contrary, returned
an insulting letter to the French Min
iSter-heapcd every accusation on Bona
parte-recapitulated individual acts OF
violence, and laid them at the door of the
French Republic, and charged it with de-
signing to overthrow both religion and
monarchy throughout the continent. He
declared that the English Government
must see some fruits of repentance ana
amendment, before it could trust the
proffers of peace, and that the restoration
of the Bourbon throne was the only
guarantee she should deem sufficient Oh
the good behavior of the French Govern
ment.
Bonaparte in reply fixed the first agrees
i've acts clearly on the enemies Of France.
and then asked what was the use OF
these irritating "reminiscences, If the war
was to be eternal because one or the
other party had been the aggressOr, and
Bourbons should be restored, asked:
what would be thought of France If in
her propositions she insisted on the res
tora,ion of the dethrOned Stuarts before
she would make peace?
This home-thrust disconnected the
English Minister, and in reply he frankly
acknowledged that his Government did
not wage war for the re-establishment OF
the Bourbon throne, but for the security
of all Governments, and that she would
listen to no terms of peace until this
security was obtained.
This settled the question. England
would have no peace while France con-
tinued to be a republic. Bonaparte had
foresecn all this, and finding he could
not separate Austria from her English al
lance, Immediately set on foot immense
preparations for war.
TDbs s6ntinued)