The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-07 00:00:00

THE LATE GENERAL CAVAIGN.AC.

The Siecle offers a warm tribute to the memory
of General Cavaiguac, of whom it speaks in the
following terms:—

" The love and esteem we bear towards our country,
do not blind us to the imperfections of the national cha-
racter. If the French are sometimes heroical, if they are
nearly always susceptible of magnificent bursts of enthu-
siasm, they do not in general possess the sense of dnty
which, with civil courage, assures the triumph of opinions.
Doubtless, the French, who sacrifice their lives so easily
for glory, are capable of other slcrifices, but not with a
steady purpose. This disposition of the nation is to be
found naturally in the various political, military and civil
careers. If General Cavaignac is particularly distin-
guiAhed from Ms contemporarieF, it is because he ob,
served in all positions, high or low, in public as in pri-
vate life, that regard for duty, that worship of the real,
the just, and the good, to which others bestow only
passing offerings. At Tlemcen, at the blockade of Me-
deah, at the retreat of Miliatiab, at the head of the army
as at the head of the nation, or when retiring from
power, he was ever the same man, profoundly devoted
to his sense of duty. General Oavaignac knew not the
system which consists on throwing on another a part of
one's responsibility; he recognised his duty to the full
extent of the term ; he accepted without a murmur in
gratitude and calumny ; he was so satisfied that his path
was the correct one that he disdained in reply when he
was accused. Only once he imagined that his honour
required that he should explain his condoct to the as
sembly, which had given him powers, and there again
the sentiment of duty made him an intrepid soldier and
an heroical general. He descended from power without
forfeiting his dignity. When in power he had enemies
and was calumniated ; but in his private character he
conquered the etteem of all. He was a poor man when
appointed to the first position in the republic ; he was
even poorer when he returned to private life. Plutarch
alone could describe that dignified poverty which no one
knew or suspected. Under a cold exterior General Ca-
vaignac possesed ft warm heart. We know with what
passion he loved and honoured his mother and brother.
We will mention one c'rcumetance which is

little known. Gen. Cavaignace, appointed to the presi-
dency of the executive power; refused obstinately all the
means, even the legal ones, which were offered to him to
perpetuate his rule. Amongst othi r proposals, an offer
was made to him in August, almost on the morrow of
the days of June, to obtain from the assembly the vote
of the article in the constitution which treated on the
presidency, and to proceed at once to the election. He
refused, because he would not submit to the charge of
ambition, because he wished to owe all to the opinion of
the country. . . Let the political existence, or the
military and private life of the general be examined, and
it will be admitted that Cavaignac presents one of the
most complete and noble characters cf our national his-
tory. He would have been Washington had the country
willed it—he may sit in Al he gallery of anciet,t heroes
between Epaminondas and Phocion."