Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-30

. w TIC ihaAlhi, not 20 60 often to war wit
: the same people--he taught the science t
all the generals of Europe: who may nov
drink like the magnaaimous Peter ate,
the battle ct Puit0wa, at dinner with thu
captive officers Here's to my master.
in the art of war; The i'll faith of Rus.
sia oughtnot to have provoked Bonaparte
to injure France.
! though men OF superior requirements
do sentertain the most exalted opinion
OF Bonaparte's abilities (for that is the
subject of debate,) we must differ from
them in part. He was inimical to Yepub-
lies, and thought of governing nation as
he would command an army. This was
enough to bring both head and heart into
disrepute.
| Nevertheless, we are not so full of s. Sc
we're justice to- the iallen," as tojoin the in
famous hue and cry of the g British party
in America" We do not revive calum-
ny after it has been retracted at London !:
we do not reiterate the silly story of poi
soning wounded alfalfa, though neither the
British consul there, nor DIR. Clarke, nor
any other Antigallican ever heard of the
story till It appeared in Wilson'S work
nor do we descend to the subterfuge of
quoting one scrap of hearsay evidence,
from whole page Of ludicrous contradic-
ton at which the editors laugh while they
review it. All this contemplate employ
ment we leave to the true Britons OF Ame-
RIGA.
When faithful historian g shall these
unhappy deeds relate," he will speak of
them as they are--he will set liberal ideas
sometimes by the side of despotic con-
duct; and give Bonaparte credit for cast
ing down the barriers of intolerance, un-
lettering conscience, proclaiming religious
liberty, and separating the church from
the court OF Rome. He will describe the
progress of the arts, and the grandest in
ternal Improvements, III canals, bridges,
public ediiices and monuments, that were
ever planned. He will distinguish that
compend of civil law called the Napoleon
Code, which even the Bourbons were
obliged to retain--afraid to destroy what
the nation reverenced. He viii also de-
scribe the unprecedented coalition of ALL
Europe, as necessary to the expulsion of
One man. Thisindeed is the highest en-
comium ever passed on Napoleon-high
est, because pronounced by So England
with all Europe in her train, '-as Grattan
says. Their conduct confesses, that
g Sampson hath quit himself like Samp-
sons
In forming an opinion of greatness, we
cannot exclude the true object of its pur-
suit, tte happiness Of men aud nations.
Weigh Napoleon in this balance, and he
kicks the beam (for if he changed his
temper, it was too late, like deathbed re-
pentance } but, the weight, and worth,
the requirements and talents of CARNoT
would not be found wanting. If Bona
parte represent Caesar, let Carnot (but
! with betterfortune) personate Cato or Bru-
tus. The inilexible republican,, steady in
his purpose, and interchangeable in his eff
forts, we consider by far the greater man.
10 extol Bonaparte's enterprise, the
common characteristic of conquerors, is
but to censure his ambition-rObbers an
buccaneers arc as enterprising as AlexaD
der the Great.
| That Bonaparte is more masnanimous
ilhan his" legitimate" enemies, is most
true but that argues little for his discern
nIent or policy. Ifhe sailed forth g to
spare the PROSTATE and chastIse the
4 proud" he did not thoroughly accomplish
his object: he mortified their feelings,
(even by generosity, without weakening
their power. When fortune gave them
the advantage, they used it to oyerturn the
lofty conqueror whose eminence threw
them into shade. IF we do not farther
pursue the comparison, it is because there
is no parallel. Bad as Bonaparte is, he is
an angel compared with the kings and ca
binets of Europe.
| Bonapartc's c!emency is perhaps the
best part of his character-Wh When his enc
mics were hiring assassins, the only exam
pie he made was in the execution of Pich-
egru, Georges, captain Wright, and an
iHstigGtor lie due d'Enghien. The seisure
OF the latter in neutral territory was vio-
lation of public law-.iust as the arrestation
OF general Napper randy by the British at
Hamburg.
To conclude, we think Bonaparte is con-
spicuously grand, when compared with he
reditary nOnarchs but when we contrast
him with the FrdHkJins of France, a great
en- than he appears before US.
! lie belongs not to this theme, to talk Of
the fate Of nations nor the joys and sor-
rows OF those who triumph at the ascend
ency of England, or the too probable con-
quest of France. Some of her children
here excel the smother country" Even
after caumnny GIBBS at Lands End, it is
in strong flood at New-York and Boston |!
| II &c no4u-.1 orI - Il L.