Year: 1871

From the London Times October %


We have received from a Trustworthy
source the following account of conversa-
ton which was held yesterday at Chiselhurst
between the Emperor Napoleon and our in
formant, who is authorized to publish the
statement. His Majesty spoke as follows
1t is pretended that the Bonapartists are
cOnspiring. | do not believe it. II it only
parties who feel themselves in minority in
the country who have recourse to occult prac-
tees. II is only those who wish to impose
their views upon the larger number who CON
spire. When a man has been, as have been,
during twenty-three years at the head Of a
great nation, and when he has been animated
by a single thought-the welfare of the coun-
try-he preserves the sentiment Of his dignity
the conviction OF his rights, and casts away
from him the intrigues which degrade those
who have recourse to them. Without illu-
sions and without encouragement, l rely
upon the justice of the French people
and am resigned to my fate, whatever may
be the DEGREES Of Providence More
over, when one has fallen from such
height the first sentiment
one experiences is not the desire to
again mount upon the pinnacle but to seek
the causes OF the fall in order to explain ones
conduct and combat calumny while still re-
cognizing ones faults. In doing this one re-
views the past, rather than seeks to read the
future, and strives much more to Justify ones
self than to accomplish a restoration. Hence
the legitimate desire to employ public means
OF refuting unjust attacks and OF rectifying
erroneous appreciations. To enlighten pub
lie opinion by truthful statements Is a duty to
those whom fortune has struck down while
~ Agitation u ssfesnpk- -
OF the imperial regiDle would only retard the
moral reaction which has already commenced
To all who have come from France to visit
me, have held the same language i am
SaA I haxrn az 70,
trigues or plots. France needs repose to en-
able her to recover from her disasters He
would be most culpable who should seek to
foment trouble for the advancement of his
personal interests. The present goTenment
is merely provisional, and does not in the fn-
ture exclude any form of government. To
attempt to overthrow it wouh be q
bad action; though my rights remain still
intact, and SO long as the people shall
not have been regularly consulted, nc decision
of the Chamber can prevent me from being
the legitimate sovereign of France. Many
officers have written to me to ask if they
should place themselves at the disposition Of
the present government, and If consented to
release them from their oath. / have
answered that the question being plainly
stated between order on the one hand and the
most frightfGl anarchy on the other they
should not hesitate to serve their country
but that could not release them from their
oath until, by direct vote, the entire nation
shall have chosen defnitiye government
thus you see, like the man in Horace, l wrap
myself in my right and my resignation.
Strong In my own conscience, restrain the
impatienCe Of some and despise the treachery
and the insult Of others. observe, with a
certain degree Of satisfaction. that the repub-
hc is forced to act with severity against the
very men who, during q years, attacked my
government, and to adopt many Of the
measures which | regarded as indispensable
to the maintenance Of order but, as l am
not man OF party, Llis feeling gives place in
my heart to another and a stronger-the pain
with which | see the destinies of France de-
hvered over to the hazard Of events, the fury
OF factions, the weakness of the men in
power, and the exactiOns of the foreigner"


In reference to the recent publication Of
the letters addressed to him by one NJ. Les
slnes, the Emperor, in reply to a question of
our correspondent, said "These letters, as
Tar as can remember, are authentic, but
surely cannot be held responsible for the
aDsurdlties which people choose to address
10 me, and the communications OF NJ Les
sines, never received from me any serious no
tlce. believed the man himself to be q sort
OF harmless lunatic, as you shall Judge. The
first time saw him, three or four years ago,
he was walking hurriedly up and down the
interior courtyard Of the Tuilleries Upon
sending to learn what he wanted, he excited
ly answered, My fate is in the Emperor's
hands


" How so?'


Because he is the only man who can con
fer upon me the boon l desire


Name your request


A stall at the opera this evening


Why do you not go and buy oneS'


impossible Every seat Is taken. The
lady wish to marry will be there, and mus
see her


:" TO humor what supposed to be sort Of
harmless idiosynOcracy," continued the EN-
peror, laughing heartily at the remembrance,


gave orders to place in my strange visitors
possession, the coveted admission to the
opera, and he went his way rejoicing. The
next heard OF him was In the shape of
proposition to annex Belgium to France
project to which l certainly did not give the
consideration my detractors pretend TO be-
lieve'"