No. 99.
Mr. Washburne to Mr. Fish.
Paris, January 10, 1873. (Received January 27.)
Sir: It was on my arrival this morning in Paris at 5 o’clock that the messenger of our legation informed me of the death of the Ex-Emperor Napoleon III at Chiselhurst at 12 o’clock yesterday. The news arrived here so late in the afternoon that there was but little appreciation of the event yesterday. This morning, however, all the Paris papers have notices of the event, which is treated of in different ways by different journals. The death, sudden and unexpected though it was, really has created but little impression, excepting so far as it may affect the political situation of France. It is undoubtedly a great blow to the imperial party, and one that might lead to its practical disappearance as one of the parties of France, and, in that sense, it may be said to have brought a measure of relief to other parties.
In speaking of the death of the Emperor, the “Constitutionnel” says:
It is difficult to define in a few words the import of an event where all circumstances should be taken into consideration, inasmuch as the event has a tendency considerably to modify the position of various political parties. We may more correctly express a judgment on the man and the sovereign. According to our ideas the government of Napoleon III has been full of results, all our disasters notwithstanding. The history of France has on record a period of prosperity. Order in matters of honor and interest, progress in constitutional matters, development of national wealth, have under the influence of a liberal and economical legislation constituted our greatness.
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Napoleon held a position in Europe and throughout the world during a period of twenty years. His policy, and current events which marked his administration, occupy an important page in the history of nations; we must learn to appreciate loyalty, and must not forget the noble woman and the son of the sovereign in exile.
The “Paris Journal” says:
A portion of France labored under the belief that the Emperor, his errors and reverses of fortune notwithstanding, would be called upon again to intervene in the affairs of our country. It was thought that he would a second time cause the bad to tremble, and to re-assure the good. Providence willed otherwise. * * *
[Page 244]The news has called forth great emotions. “We do not refer to the joy evinced in the hearts of the rabble. Those joys have the tendency to honor the deceased sovereign.
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It may fairly be said that the Emperor had not only a place in the hearts of his partisans, but likewise with those who were and are the friends of order. This favor outlives the memory of the dead man; we often have met with legitimists, Orleanists, and moderate republicans who expressed, when not overheard by others, the idea, “Perhaps he will, after all, some day solve our difficulties.”
The “Petite Presse” says:
The Emperor has left a testament willing certain rules regarding a regency, and fears that the Empress will become involved in a struggle with the Prince Napoleon, (Jerome,) who has not abandoned, nor will abandon, his projects in respect to a regency.
The Siecle is silent, but publishes a letter from a medical journal referring to a report signed by Professor G. See, dated July 3, 1870, setting forth the dangerous state of the Emperor’s health. The fact that this report has been concealed throws an immense amount of responsibility on medical men. The report was found among Dr. Conneau’s papers seized by the September government.
The “Rappel” and the “Republique Francaise” blame in unmeasured terms the ex-Emperor and the Spanish woman. “Two years ago the event would have caused unmeasured joy: to-day, it is of no importance. On his tomb shall be written 1850—1871. At the former date he ruined the republic; at the latter, he ruined France. But France cannot be killed! The republic will resuscitate!”
The “Gaulois” appears with a black cordon, and has a few short paragraphs of regret.
The “Figaro says:
Setting aside politics, we may say a few words about the man and the sovereign. Napoleon III has governed France during twenty-two years and thrice endorsed by the people. We would blush if we had to confess that a bitter word has been said by us against the fallen empire; we have to-day only sentiments of profound consideration.
The “Debats” says:
With the Emperor the empire died. If two or three years ago the news had been sent through the world, emanating from the Tuileries, it would have caused immense commotion; but for a long period deaths of sovereigns have not occurred in France. With one exception, during the past century, sovereigns died on foreign soil. It is ho misfortune, and the death of the present Napoleon has little or no significance.
The “XIX Siecle,” “Evenenient,” and other papers, speak in a mild tone, none attaching much importance.
The Empress expressed a wish that at Paris the funeral services might be performed at the same day and hour as in England.
I have, &c.,