Year: 1869

Marshal Mel aud Napoleon.


The bulwarks of the second empire--the
tried and trusted friends Of Louis Napoieon-
are rapidly disappearing from the field Of
action. Marshal st. Arnaud, Duke de Morny,
Duke de Malakoff, Marshal Magnan, Count
Walewski, Fould, Mocquard and TrOplong
have passed away within the last few years,
and now Marshal Mel, one Of the stanchest
friends of imperialism, has yielded to the mex
orable decree of death. While Paris and all
France, bedecked in gayest holiday attire,
celebrated the centenary of the birth OF the
first Napoleon and the great national fste of
the empire there was one at least whose heart
was sad-one whose aflictiOn was 80 great that
the military festivities of the Chalons camp had
been hastily abandoned for the secluson OF
ST. Cloud, and one who, in mourning the death
Of another of his early companions and con-
federates in the great move which raised the
second empire from the debris of the republic
of 4S, must begin to realize that his time,
also, in the course Of human nature, and
already presaged by the growing aches and ills
OF age, cannot be far removed.


In the political revolution now agitating
France and effecting the incorporation of ad-
ministrative reforms in the government which
necessitate no nconsiderable sacrifice of i'm
perial prerogative, the Emperor will sadly
miss the counsels and devotion of the late
Minister of War France owes much of her
L. 81 n al
Mel, and to him rebounds the credit of mill
tary equipment and efficiency second to none
in Europe. In the ministry, the tribune aud
the camp he was distinguished for his devotion
to Napoleon and the fearlessness with which
he invariably sustained the imperial policy.
Although more specialist In debate than the
versatile and gifted Rouher, his earnest and
powerful efforts were not alone confined to the
questions of his department, the war budget,
! the reduction or increase of the army and the
like, but were often felt when determined re-
sistance to the encroachments of the opposi-
ton was called for in the legislative forum.
What immediate influence this new misfor-
tune may have upon the Emperor we cannot
presume to say. Whether grief will tend to
sour or soften imperial temper remains to be
seen 1t is said that his Majesty is quite I'M
pressi0nn0ble to scenes of affection and mourn-
ing, and his better feelings on such occasions
rise superior to personal ends and ambition.
1t is related that while passing over the battle
field of Solferino he was moved with in
expressible pity at the sight of the dead
and dying that strewed the ground, and this
impression was 80 profound it acted power
fully on him for the conclusion of peace. The
fate of Macmillan induced the Salzburg inter-
view from which sprung friendship for Aus
tria, that Baron Beust yet congratulates his
people upon being most sincere and salts
factory Will he in the loss of faithful
friend be moved by sentiment Of true affec-
tion for his people and ON earnest desire to
satisfy their aspirations? In the SUCCESSORS
of those who stood by the Emperor since Icoe
are we to see new men more In harmony with
the progressive tendencies of the nation and
less blind in their zeal and devotion to imperi-
aIism2 To them at least we are to look for
the peaceful development Of liberal ideas and
institutions, or the commencement of long
and uncertain conflict between authority and
opinion which may eventuate in revolution.


So far all promises we'll for more liberal
policy on the part of the government 10 the
future. The Senate is busy with legislative
reform, M. Rouher seems less obstinate and
absolutist, the Emperor appears conciliatory
and In commemoration Of the hundredth birth
day of Napoleon L., graciously published full
and complete amnesty to all press, political
and other offenders. Let us hope that Napo-
leon, as we'll as Rouher, Schneider, Granler
de Cassagnac and the yet remaining champions
| of personal government may see dt to crown
the edlfice" with greater liberties and accord
all those reforms which shall prove popular
enough to go hand in hand with liberty, and


at the same time strong enough to resist
anarchy"


AN INTERNATIONAL OCEAN YACHT RACE
Late advices from London state that the Eng
lish yacht Cambria and the American yacht
Dauntless will start on an ocean race on the


lst of September. The course will be from
Cowes to New York. The challenge of the
Dauntless was unreservedly accepted by the
gallant owner of the Cambria, Mr.. Ashbury.
| = ! -.-S -


EFFECT OF CHEAP FRErGHrs. city il
quite full of merchants from St. Louis and othel
points in the West, who are here for the pur


pose Of taking advantage of the very low


rates of freights to replenish their stocks Of


goods from the well filed warehouses of ouI


principal dealers and jobbers. This is a good


sign 1t does good all around It is benef


to Western merchants as we'll as to Western
| onrann,orc t, Nau, Vo,J, 1oo1o-o ool oxboc