Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-12-10
F0ILED.
A Historical Story of
Diplomacy.
By f. A. MICHEL.
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
Association.

AsluciatlOu
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In looking over some papers. yellow
with age. came upon the following.
written by my grandfather. who in
his younger days was newspaper
correspondent; of considerable cclebri.
ty:
During the civil war | was sent TO
France MS correspondent for the
Washington -. The duties of Eu-
ropean correspondent are very differ
ent from one IN America. There 1t is
the duty OF the entcrprislng journalist
10 secure an entrce to the society OF
those who are making the history OF
their times. from whom alone he cal,
get the news.
There was one man In France 10
whom the Emperor Napoleon Ill. was
more indebted for bolstering him on
his throne than any of his imperial
majesty's official councillors. One even
ing at ball at the Tuilcries this man.
whom | shall call Count de v, APP
preached me aud entered into con
versation with me about my Journal
istic work | was rather surprised
that he should take any interest In
such matter. for no American cor
respondent was n part OF the Euro
pcan system. being usually employed
TO gather the news as 1t was publish
ed and transmit II TO American news
papers.
Among other things Count de ".
asked me II correspondent with any
other than American papers. re-
piled that had n commission to send
news 10 aa English paper whenever
had anything special to send. where
upon he asked me TO breakfast with
him the next morning, promising that
he would give me an item.
When met the count the next
morning ut breakfast was not only
amazed at the item he gave me. but
at his giving II. He told me that the
emperor had been striving to secure
another power to jolt him in interfer.
Ing TO stop the war in America; that
he had been working secretly and per.
sisiently upon the English govern
ment. the people OF England being al
most wholly ON the side Of the south
owing largely TO their dependence ON
getting cotton from that section. "rhe
emperor" he added. lis about TO sue
coed. and within sixty days com
bined French and English fleet will be
on the American Atlantic coast TO
break the blockade"
Patriotic American that ! was. my
blood chilled nj this information: but.
Immediately remembering that IL the
news were true man so close 10 the
emperor would be guilty OF betraync
n trust to give II 10 me. said. 1T
would he impossible for me TO secure
the publication of this news In any
English paper without documentary
proof"
u can give you the proof" replied
the count. provided that proof re
mains with you and dies with you
that 1t is kept a secret till we are all
dead"
II am quite sure. count" replied
".hat IL can say that am convinced
the paper will act upon my assurance
that | have been convinced"
Count de V. arose. went 10 n cabinet.
unlocked a drawer with n key he took
from his vest pocket and brought ont
a package Of papers. which he laid be.
fore me. | pcruscd them with ever
growing wonder and long before ] had
finished was convinced not only Of the
truth Of his statement. hut that within
sixty days the independence Of the
Confederate stntes would be acknowl.
edged by France aud England | Kept
rercading the papers In order 10 gain
time to think. WIS perusing docu-
ments OF which President Lincoln was
Ignorant and which constituted the
death warrant OF the Union cause.
What should do what could do
to arrest such blow: Finally look
ed az the count and said:
"Count you are either the greatest
knave or the greatest fool on earth or
yon have some espe, ial purpose which
will result beneliccntly 10 the en-.
peror."
Il am no knave. How much OF Il
fool am depends upon your sense Of
honor That ! have a purpose will
not deny"
"yon have gone so far that you
must go further. Tel me ALL"
The count de,ihcrated for some time.
and before he spoke his manner ind
Gated that he had resolved TO tell the
whole story.
VERY we'll" he said Listen. The
throne is lettering There are too
many factions striving 10 possess the
government 10 permit the emperor 10
remain In peace upon H. lie realizes
this and desires 10 concentrate the
minds Of the people on some foreign
achievement for the benefit OF France.
He purposes 10 take possession Of the
government Of Mexico. which has been
offered him by few malconicnts
there. Before doing this he desires
10 break the United States into two