Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-04-22
Washington and RonQbarte.

Washington and Bonabarte.
oh gentlemen. Exclaimed Bonaparte
twas just as he was going to embark for
Egypt. Some young Americans happening
at Toulon, and anxious tos see the mighty
Corsican, had obtained the honor of an In
PRODUCTION to him. Scarcely were passed
the customary salutations, when he eagerly
asked, 6 ho1v fares your c0untyynan, the
great Washington ?" " He was very wei"
replied the youths, Frightening at the tho't
that they were the countrymen of Washing
ton, C he was very well, general, when we
left America" Ah gentlemen :" reioined
he, Washington can never be other1vlSe
than zceA; = The measure Of his faaae is fRN
-Posterity shall talk of him zqitf reverence
as the t3undsr ofa great empire, zvllen my
name shall be last IN the 0orten q "a. M5
taoHs fo
EWcem's Life Of Wastington.
Ifthis anecdote be authentic, and we know
no reason to question its authenticity, it
proves that Bonaparte, before he became
lnadaened by the prospect and the posses
sion of great power, was very capable 81 app
preciating the solid glory of our iliuatrious
warrior. Would to God that he had follow
ed his steps, and become the g Founder Of
a Great Empire" an Empire Of Peace, Ii
berty aud Virtue, instead of emulating the
vir Macedo and the 6l0ody SzUede, by plung-
ing not only himself, but all the nations
within the circle OF his influence, into the
destructive 6 Vortex of Revolutions p
A parallel between Washington and Ma
poleon could be executed only by the pencil
of Plutarch. Inferior writers can only
sketch faint outlines Of their characters, and
leave it to posterity to give to euerg object IN
the picture ats true and proper hue, to min
gle the lights and shades with "the sober
senatorial dignity of Georgione and Titan, !"
and to display ''the very soul OF harmony"
in G the beautiful combinations and transl-
tons of the colors'' of some future biogra-
phical Correggio. Fortunately, however,
there are some strong marks and points OF
character, which every one is competent TO
seize & to describe. The humblest OF man :
kind can discern that the fame OF Wash
inpton will be associated with that OF Jo-
sHJA. IupAs MAccABEus, Scion, FA-
BUS, ALFRED, and TELL, and that of
Bonaparte with the names of Adon1-besek,
Nebuchaduez2ay. Alciblades, Narius, from
zDeH and Albert of Austria. The one
was ambitious TO erect AN nmperlshable
Temple of Freedom, the other to create
temporary pyramid OF despotlsm. The
one marched through the field OF Mars to
give glory to his country, the other TO sur
round a new throne with the mlnlens OF
power. Washington was the friend OF bis
species, Napoleon the most selfish OF beings.
Washington swore to support the Tree con-
stitution of his country, and lnvlolably kept
his oath till his death: Napoleon also swore
to be true TO the cause Of liberty, out made
use of the popularity with which the vow
invested him. to- establish the most hor-
rible despotism. Washington erected a
great empire with very feeble means
Napoleon formed an unwieldy combination
of states, with resources and machines fully
adequate to the task, 1f4a history OF the
.lxster vii BE studied, by youth on the verge:
u uiaahood, as an example OF all that the.
wise and good should avoid and detest Z.
! THE name Of the former, agreeably TO the
! ,,reeent of the great French orator. pc
| q;n with the infant In his cradle Let the
s word he lisps be Washington WIN s's
! ave-, =, the mouths Of babes, and be PRO.
,,o,.aeed with increased reverence IA every
! future rpopaeat Of life 1he forfenr % ~ ~
aapute's reaoTn, Ike tSae casa<2SS1 = A'-'