Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-27

kindness 10 those who made room FOR him, be.
cause they burst not oppose him. His ambi
lion was modification OF selishness, sublime
indeed. in its effects and coDse quences, but yet
when strictly. analysed, leaving little but ego
tism in the crucible.
Our readers are not, however, 10 suppose that
the selEshness of Napoleon was.of that ordina.
nv and odious chat acter, which makes men mi
serIv onpressive, and fraudulent in private life;
or which under miIder features limits their ex.
ertions to such enterprises as may contribute
to their own individual profit, and close the
heart against feelings of patriotism, or OF social
beneyoience Napoleons egotism and love Of
self was Of farnobler and more elevated kind,
though founded ON similar motives, Just as the
wings of the eagle, who scars into the regions Of
the sun, move on the same principle with those
which cannot bear the dung hill fowl over the
pales of The poultry yard.
To explain our meanting, we may add, that
| Napoleon loved France, for France was his
own. He studied 10 confer behchls upon her
for the Pre- It's redouaded to her Emperor, whs
l.,het she received amended institutions, or en-
larped territories. He represented, as he boas
! ted, himself, the people as well as the soNeE
eiyn of France; he eDgrossed In his own per.
| son her immunities, her greatness her glory,
and was bound to conduct himself 50 as to ex.
alt at the same time the Emperor and the EN-.
nire. Still however; the sovereign and the state
might be, and a, length actually were separLt.
| ed. and the egotistical character OF Buonaparie
could after that separation fnd amusement AMI
interest in the petty scale OF Elba to which his
exertions were Ihen limited Like The magic
tent. in the Arabian Tales, his faculties could
expand themsclve to nclose hall world, with
ell its cares and testinies, or could dimlnish so
as to accommodate itselflo the concerns Of a pet
~ rock in the Mediterranean, and his own con.
veniences when he should retreat to Its precincts
We believe, that whilst France acknowledge.
Napoleon as Emperor, he would cheertuly
have laid down his life for her benefit, but We
greatly doubt, if by merely raising his finger,
he could have made her happy under the Bour-
bons. whether (unless the merit OF the action
had redounded to his own personal fame that
finger would have been raised up. In word,
his feelings of self interest were the central
point OF circle, the circumference OF which
may be extended or contracted at pleasure, but
the centre remains fixed and unchanged.
IT is needless to inquire how far this so'icOus
and we must add enlightened attention 10 hi,
own interest facilitated Bonaparte's ascent to
the supreme power.-We daily witness IN
ton of parts, who, by intently applying them
selves to the prosecution of some particular o.
iect, without being drawn aside by the calbo
pleasure, the seductions of Incidence, or other
Interruptions, succeed ultimately i'll attaining
the object of their wishes. When, therefore, We
conceive the powerful mind of Napoleon, al
mated by All unbounded vivacity OF imsSf
: nation, and an unconquerable tenaclty OF pu
t9EMaPa %ih1qt d Sfya s
which was nothing less than to acquire the do
minion of the whole world, we cannot be SUD-
rised at the immenee height to which he raised
himself
But the egolism which governed his action,
subject always to the exercise Of bis excellent
sense and cultivation OF his interest in the pub
nc opinion, If it in great measure favored tt.
success oil his various enterprises, did him
the end much more evil than good, as il Instr
gated his most desperate enterprises, and wal
the source Of his most inexcusable actions.
Moderate politicians will agree, that siG
the Imperial system was substituted for ii. s
Republic an, the Chief Magistrate oueh, 10 have
assumed and exerled considerable streng,hd +
authority, in order 10 maintain that re.cslabIi,S
ment of civil order, that protection of ,hc ,r
listing state Of things, which was necessary 10 b
| t.
perpetual revolutions. Had Napoleon sopp,I
here, his conduc! would have been unbamrs
Die, and Unbalanced, unless by the more devoted
followers OF the House Of Bourbon. agairs
whom Providence appeared to most men
have closed the gate Of restoration. But bis
principles OF egoiism would not be satisfied VI
I'll he had totally destroyed every vesrigt d
those Tree institutions, which had been acQui'
e' by all tho perils, the blood, the tears of b
Revolution, and reduced France. save ior tbi
influence of public opinion, TO the condand
Cons'antInople or Of AIgcrs II was mcri
TO raise up the throne, it was natural that b
who did SO should himself occupy il, since
ceding it TO the Bourbons, he mus, have BE-
trayed those at whose hands he accepted pov
er, but 10 plubder the nation of their privilege
as 'ree-born men, was The &c, Of parricide-
he nation lost under his successive encro,c9
ments, what liberty the ancient govcrpment Ia!
leit them, and all those rights which had beH
acquired by the Revolution Political far
chises, individual interests, tho property ofme
inequalities, the progress Of education. Of SCI