Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-01
NO. 40.

tion " HIS power. OHnapplIy, MS love OF mer-
it, and disposition TO reward it, were not found!
ed exclusively upon patriotic attention TO the
public welfare, far less on a purely benevolent
desire 10 reward what was praise worthy, but
upon a principle of selfish policy, to which
must be ascribed great part Of Napoleon's
success, no small portion Of his misfortuncs.
and almost all his political crimes.
| We have quoted elsewhere, the description
given Of the Emperor by his brother Lucien, in
a moment, probably, Of spleen, but which has
been nevertheless by almost all the persons
habitually convcrsant with Napoleon, at whom
we have had opportunity Of making inqu:-
ries His conduct" said his brother, 's is
entirely regulated by his policy, and his policy
is altogether founded upon egotism." No man
perhaps, ever possessed (under the restrictions
10 be presently mentioncd,) SO intense a pro-
! portion OF that selfish principle which is So
! common to humanity. Ii wns planted by na-
ture in his heart, aud nourishcd by the half
monastic, half military education, viii n so
early separated him from social ties it was
encouraged by the consciousness Of possessing
! talents which rendered him no mate for tia
ordinary men among whom his lot seemed cas'
| and became confirmed habit by the desolatc
condition in which he stood at his first onset nj
life, without friend. protector, or patron. Tbs
praise and the promotion he received, wore
given to his genius. not TO his pcrson; and io
WHO was conscious Of having forced bis own
way, had ii.tle to bind him in gratitude or kind
ness TO those who made room for him, be CAUSE
they burst not oppose him. His ambition was
! a modif cation Of selfishness, sublime, indeed,
in its effects and consequences, but vet, when
strictly analyzed, leaving little but egoiism in
the crucble.
Our readers are not, however, 10 suppose,
that the sclfishness of Napoleon was Of that
ordinary and odious character, which make;
men rniserly, oppressive, and fraudulent in pr
vate life; or which under milder features, In.
its their eXorions to their own individual pro,,
and close the heart against feelings Of patriot.
ism, or Of social bcnevolonce. Napoleon,
cgotism and love Of self was Of far nobicr
and more elevated kind, though founded OF.
similar motives, Just as the wings of the canlt.
who scars into the regions OF the sun, move On
the same principle with those which canno;
bear the dung-hill fowl over the poles of the
poultry yard.
10 explain our meaning, We may add, thM
Napoleon loved France. for France was his
own. lie stadied TO confer benefits upon he.
for the profit redounded TO her Emperor, whetil-
c. she received amended institutions, or cr,
largel territories He represented, az ~
boosted. b.msoi. the people as we'll as the
sovereign Of France; he enrrossed in his own
IT,
~, ard was bound to conduct himself so as TO
exal' az the same time the Emperor and the
empire. Still, however, the sovereign and the
state might be, and at length actually were.
: separated, ana the egotstical chara cter of Bo-
napartc could after that separation find am,iso.
| ment and interest in the petty scale of Elbo.
10 which his cAL. ons we're then limited. -
Like the magic tent, in the Arabian Tales. bis.
faculties could expand themselves to inclosl.
half world, with al its cares and destinies.
or could diminish so as to accommodate itself
TO the concerns Of petty rock in the Medi,
eTranean, and his own cony eniences when he
should retreat 10 IFS precincts. We believe.
that whilst France acknowledged Napoleon as
Emperor. he would checrfily 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 Bourbons, whether
(Gnless the merit Of the action had redoundef
TO his own personal fame,) that finger would
have been raised up. In a word, his feelings
OF self-intercst were the central point of cir
Gle. the circumference of which NAV be extend
ed or contra ctcd at pleasure, but the centre
remains fixed and unchanged.
II is needless to inquire how far this solicis
ous, and we may add, enlightened attention 10
h's own intcres. facilitated Bonaparte's s ascent
TO Tic supreme power We daily witness indi.
ton OF parts. who. by intcntk applying them
selves 10 The prosecution OF some particular
object. without being dra wn aside by the calls
OF pleasure, tho seductions OF ihdoIence. orr
other interruptions, succeed ultimately in al
tanning Che objec, Of their wishes. When.
therefore. We conceive Tie powerful mind of
Napoleon. animated by an unbountled yiyaci,v
OF nagnot;on. and an unconquerable tenaci'v
Of purpose, moving forwards without deviat,ors
or reposc, 20 The accomplishment; of its mr.
pose. which was nothing |, ss than 10 acnui,,.
fhc dominion Of the whole world. we cannot
be surprised u' 'lc in.nersc leight 20 which,
he raised himself.
But the cgo'sm Which co,errcd his action,
SUBJECT always 10 the exercise Of his exccllen,
sense and cultivation Of his interest in the p,h-,
he opinion. Nit in great moosufo favored he
success Of his 'orious 'cn.orprizes, d,i hIni il,
The end much more evil than good, as IL ins'i..
gated his nostsdcspcra'c enterprises, and wgs.
the source of his mos, inca trlsable actions.
Moderate poli'ciane will agree, that aflcf
the Imperial system was substituted for tie
Republican, The Chief Magistrate ought rs
have assumed and eycred a considerable
irength Of authority, in order 10 maintain tbnt
Of civil order, that protection
ot the existing state of things, which was nee;
cssary 10 tefininatc tho wild and chargeful re-;
currcnce Of perpetual revolutions. Had Ma
polcon stopped here, his conduct wonld have
bcen unblamoable, and unblamed, unless hy
the more devoted followers Of the House of
Bourbon, against whom Providence appeared
TO most men TO have closed the gate of res,o,-
alton But his principles ofegotsm would rti
be satisfied until he had totally DESTROYED every
Sesiige of those free institutions, which had
been acquired BY al The perils. the blood. tie
ears Of the Re, outlon, had reduced France.
save ,or The influence Of public opinion. 10 tho
condition Of Constantnopc or Of Alpiers. II
vas merit 10 raise up the fbr6ne. it was nat