Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-18
GFrom the sd,ae. !
AND NAPOIEOV.

u,
can be safely compared wt the contemporary ru-
lers of nations, not excepting himthe greatest them
all nor need our patriotism shrink from The singular
contrast between two men chiefs for nearly an equal
period 10 their respective countries, aud model; of
their dli!erent species,-Nap0!eon the emperor OF a
great na,on-and jefferson, the chiefmag stra:e Of
free people.
"Of that extraordinary being it Is Fl, to speak with
the gentleness due 10 misfortune. Two centuries have
suiced to retrieve the fame of ony ell from
that least expabie OF cines-his feeble
and proilgate race, fortunate in their h;s,ori-
than In their history and the memory of Ma
poleon must long atone equally for his elevation
and his reverses There already those who dis
parage his genius, if this not 10 humble the
nations who stood dlsmayed before it, Great ia
lents varied requirements, many high qualities; en-
lishtened views Of legislation ana domestic pccy il
were bigo,ry to deny TO NAPOLEON. The very tide OF
lis conqaests less civilized nations resulted in
rendering some benefits even 10 the vaEquishcd-and
al that glory can contribute 10 public happiness, was
pro,sely Law ished his country. But in tie midst
ofthis gaudy niaiuaton there that which discn-
Caned the sretat VIII ICh struck lis da mp chill into
the heart of any man who undivided by the vulgar
decorations of power looked only the blessings
might confer, and who weighed instead of counting
these victories. Such are TIC decisions which mar,
ambition sheds IN turn on lis posses ard on the world
that its triumphs begin with the ioughcss applause
future victims, and end the nadd epng intox
ication Gifts own prosperity. We may not wonder
Chen If, when those who should have first resisted his
power were foremost in admiration and serviIity-wcn
the whole continent of Europe submissive de-
Iendcnce OF his wil-'vhcn among the crowd of native
and stranger supplians who worslippcd before This
idol, there was only manly and independent, voice
10 rebnke his excuses IN tone worthy Of free pco
lchat OF the representative of Jefferson we may not
wonder If all the brilliant qualities which DISTINGUISHED
the youth ut Napoleon at last COncentered into
spirit of intense sGishness aud that tic whole purpose
IL which his splendid genius perverted was The poor
love of swaviug the desnes of other en-not 10 ben
eft, b!ess-but simply 10 command them TO en-
gross every thing and be every thing Ii was for
This that lie disturbed the earth with his insane con-
queSs-for this at the whole freedom of the human
lnind-he elastic vigor Of the nellect-all the Datr<
raj play of the human ieclings-a free agency were
crushed beneath this fierce and mrntigable dominion
which, degrading the human into mere objects
and instruments of slaughter, would soon have left no.
thing to science but to contIive the of mutual
dCrucon and nothing TO letters except to natter the
destroyer. Contrast this feversh restlessnes
which is called ambition--ts expanded love of vlo-
lcncc which make hCrOes-COntrast these, as they
s!one in the turbulent existence Of Napoleon with
the peaceful career of JcGerson and I'm all
the relations of their pOweTits nature, employ
nen and its result-wc may assign the superiority TO
ihe civil agistratc.
Napoleon owed his elevation to military violence
Jefferson 10 The voluntary suffrage Of his country
The ruled sternly reluctant subiecs-tnc o.
Their but the foremost among his equals, who rcss
pcctcd in his person the image of their own authority
Napoleon sought 10 enlarge his influence at home by
CnGcehinG all the civil institutions and abraod by i'm
vad. :, the possessions of his Observation-Disclosures
pccrrc to ahridge his power by strict constructions
cgn wars. Yet the personal influence of Jefferson
FAR more enyiabc; Or he enjoyed the unlimited
confidence of his COuntrywbiIc Napoleon had 10 au-
th0ry not conceded by fear; aud the eXtor.ions OF
force evil substitutes for that most fascinating of all
sway--ihe ascendeHcy equals. During the un-
disputed posscasi0R OF that power Napoleon seemed
'inconscous of its nohcst attribute, the capacity To
make free or bapVicr and no one great or lofty
purpose Of benchttrg mankind, generous sympa
thy for his race, disturbed that sepuchraI self.
ishnes7, or aPPcased that scorn of humanity which his
SUCCESSES almost justifedBu the lie OF Jefferson
was perpetual devotion, not 10 his own PURPOSES bu'
The pure ard noble cause of public freedom. From
tbc FIRST drawing of youth his undivided heart was ei-
ven to the establishment OF free prInCpIesee insti-
tntions-lrccdom in all ito varieties of untrammcllelg
thought and independent action. His whole life was
cOnseCTaicd TO the improvement aud happiness of his
frlloy men, and his intense enthusiasm for knowledge
aud freedom sustained TO his dying hour. Then
strangely dlHcrcu in its close as in IFS
character The COVER Of Napoleon was won by the
t;v0rd- maintained by the sYOrd--iost by the sword
That colossal empire which lie had exhausted fortune
IN rearing broke before the first shock Of Adversely,
The most rnagDGccnty gorgeous of all tue pageants
nf orr 1es--wheu the august ceremonies of religion
blessed and crowned liat soldier emperor, when the
allegiance Of the great captains who stood by his side
;he appanse5 of assembled France in the presence Of
asserting Europe the splendid poinp Of war sOGened
hy The smiles of beauty, and AL tie decorations of all
tnc arts blended their caCiaptnenS tbal imperial
ir1n swept mp the aalcs of Noter Darnc-fldcd into
fnC Silent cabin OF tbat lone island in a distant sea-
Tho will which made tho destiny OF men--te name
whose humb'cst possessur might be a kiug-a srunk
into the feeble band who followed tue captivity Of their
master. OF al his foreign trutnphs not one remained
and in his FIRST military COnVuCst-hi5 own country
which lie Ind adorned with c monuments Of his fame
there IA place even for tic tomb Of this desc
late lie. Bat tic glory of Jefferson became even
purer 10 The progress Of years mCoTeC1 into ycnCTa
ton tic 1--we o hl, cupnDry men lie died in tie midst
q! the free people whom I've had lived To serve; aud
lbs only ceremonial, worthy equally Of him aud rf
tdeiu, vas TIC supple sutnn''y Of his funeral triumph
Ills power hc retained IS long he desired it, and
then voluntarily restored the trust with pcrrnanen,
addiG0n-lcriycd from Napoleon Iru5eIf--far exceed
ing the widest limits Of the FrcnCc empirc-tat yicfo
~ of peace which ontw cjgs ali The conuests u( Ma
pYcvn, 10 Inc Of tac declaration ndepcndence
IS worth all his g!0iy.
"But he aisy s n"~ gone The genius, the various
!earniug tue prvae vr'nts, the public houors, which
;1stras and enGesrcJ his name, arc gathered into tic
tomb LEAVING to Lin only TIC fame, and 70 only tire
remembrance Of item. lie tiat memory cherished