Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-28

tie event has actually taken place. Few
persons have ever existed, whose career has
been more remarkable, whose actions gave
rise TO more astonishment, whose temporary
success was more surprising, whose elesa-
ton was more brilliant, whose downfall was
more sudden and complete, OF the circum-
stances of whose fate were more singular
and impressive. That he possessed talents,
and particularly military talents, OF An extra
ordinary character, cannot be questioned.
His success 10 his bold and extravagant pro
jects, ,fthere were no other proof OF the fact,
would establish his claim beyond dispute to
the title Of great military commander. AT
the same time, it is no more than just to say.
that his total disregard Of the means which
he used to accomplish his ends, will sufi-
GENTLY account for much that he achieved.
A chief who has the complete and undisput-
ed controul over brave nation Of twenty
FIVE or thirty millions OF people, and col
lateral jurisdiction over two or three times
that Humber-whose system was purely mil
itaIy, whose troops were stimulated not
merely by the love Of conquest and glory
but by the hope and opportunities Of plum.
der and rapine-whose plan was to sacrifice
every thing, physical, moral, and religious,
that stood between him ard bis object
could scarcely fail OF accomplishing much,
that equal talents, under more moral re.
straint, might have failed to realise
The history of this man is we'll calculated
to teach the world very important lessons in
human affairs. And 1t may be made useful
10 the votaries Of freedom as, well as to ty-
rants and oppressors. When Bonaparte made
bis appearance on the great stage OF the
French Revolution, the nation had just cast
off the shakes oil their old absolute govern
nent, and we're elevated with the idea Of
freedom and equality. With an address pc.
culiar to demagogues, and to none more
than himself, he fell in with the national bu-
mour, sung the songs and fought the battles
VI uhtii OOtu hS oud tpuoC bS
governed became mad upon their idols. ="
IN this moment of hen2y, h seized the reins
Of government, dispossessed all those who
had CO operated with him of power; and
with a mockery of consulting The public
will, availed himself OF such an expression
of it as answered his purpose, and placed
hIuselfat the head of the nation. After a
series of the most extraordinary and unex.
anpied events, all combining to forward his
views and projects, he reached tbe object of
his wishes and placed himself OIL the throne
of empire. At this moment, be was the
most powerful, the most brilliant, the most
astonishing among men. Had he paused
here, md strengthened himself in bis power,
no mere man can tell what would have been
the result There is every reason 70 believe
he would have been he arbiter OF Europe,
and at the same time have maintained con-
trolling influence over many other portions
of The globe. But unfortunately for himself,
he srasped at more-he wished to govern
the civilized world. With this disposition
he attempted the conquest Of the Spanish
peninsula, and, befure that was achieved, be
invaded the Russian doninioDs, and with a
degree of hardihood ard rashness tina, is
scarcely compatible with sound mind, he
fiattered himself that he could endure the
frosts as we'll as conquer the hardy inhabi-
tants. Of that vast empire. Span weakened
his sreng ,h--Russia destroyed his energy;
and though he made brilliant and indeed as.
tonisling attempts to redeem the character,
as well as to regain the ground be had lost,
il was in vain he fell before superior
force, he was hurled from his throne. his
glory departed; and the last years OF bis life
were as insignificant, as his former had been
splendid and wonderful. He has passed a.
way, and i'll not he forgotten, but will
"Lcav. name, at which the world grew pale,
To point amoral, OF adorn tale'
We doubt whether the ambition of any
man, not even that Of Julius Cesar or Tam
erlane, ever caused such shocking destruc-
ton of human lite, or spread such wide
waste oil human misery, as that ofhim whose
death has so recently occurred. II The blood
of the FIRST victim of human violence cried to
heaven for vens eance, what must have been
the fact with regard to the myriads shed to
glut the resentment, sstiate the rapacity,
and crafty the ambition OF Napoleon Bona
parteo Hard, indeed, must have been his
heart, calous, indeed, his conscience, if in