Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-09-01

| ~"'""S '"o o"eHN upon many points, Wnlic Ht
| oppressed one by an unexpected force Of mum
bers The breaking through the line the turn
ing OF funk, which had been his object from
the commencement of the fight, lay usually dis.
sulscd undor great number Of previous de-
monstrations, and was not attempted until bot h
the moral and physical force Of the enemy was
impaired by the length of the combat. II was
at this period that he brought up his guards,
who, impatient OF inactivity, had been held in
readiness for hours. and now, springing for
ward like rolf-dogs, from the leash, had the
glorious task in which they rarely failed, OF
deciding the long sustained contest. 1t may
he added, as characteristic Of his tactics, that
nc preferred employing the order of the column
10 that Of the line, perhaps Oh account Of tho
faith which he might rest in the extreme valor
OF the French officers by whom the column was
headed
The interest which Napoleon preserved in
the French soldiers affection by frequent
distribution Of prizes and distinctions, as well
as by his familiar notice Of their persons, and
attending to their wants, joined to his posses-
sion Of absolute and independent command,
rendered II 10 difficult matter for him 10 secure
their support in the revolution oil the eighteenth
Brumaire, and in placing him at the head of
affairs. Most part Of the nation were heartily
tired by this time Of the continually unsettled
state OF the government, ,and the various chang
es which 1t had experienced from the visionary
spccula'ions Of the Girondisis, the brutal and
bloody ioroclty OF the Jacobins, the sordiC and
undecided versatility and imbecilty Of tho
Directory; and the nation in general desired a
settled form Of government, which, If less free,
should be more stable IN duration, and better
calculated to assure TO individual Is the protect
ION OF property and of personal freedom, than
those which had followed the downfall Of
monarchy. A successful general of a charac-
ter more tmd, or conscience more tender than
that of fNapoleon, might have attempted the
restoration Of the Bou:bons. But Napoleon
toresaw the difficulties which would occur by
an attempt to reconcile ihe recall of the emf
grants to the assurance OF the national sa les,
and aptly concluded that the parties which
tore France TO pieces, would be most readily
amalgamated together under the authority Of
ono who was IN great measure Il stranger 10
them all.
Arrived at the possession Of supreme power,
a height that daz2els and coniounds so many,
Napoleon seemed only to occupy the station
for which he was born, TO which his peculiar
powers adopted him, and his brllianl career Of
success gave him, under all circumstances. an
irresistible claim. lie continued, therefore,
with calm mind and enlightened wisdom 10
consider the means Of rendering las power sta
bic, of destroying the republican impulse, and
establishing a monarchy, of which he destined
himself 10 be the monarch. 10 most nlcn the
attempt TO revive. III a;our OF a military ad-
venturer, u form OF govornmCn,, which had
been rejected by what seemed the Voice OF the
nation with universal accla.m, would nave
seemed an act OF desperation. Yhe part?ans
Of the republic were able statesmen, ard mon
Of superior talent. accustomed also 10 rule the
fierce democracy. and organize those intrigues
which had oyerthrosn crown and altar. II
was hardly to be supposed that such MEN would
were it but for shamo's sake, have seen their
ten years labour at once swept away by the
sword Of young though successful general
But Napoleon knew himself and them, and
felt the confidence that those who had been as
sociates in the power acquired by former revo-
lutions, must be now content TO sink into tho
instruments of his advancement, and the sub
ordinate agents ofhs authority, con;entod d with
such a share Of spoil as that with which the
lion rewards the jackall.
10 the kingdom AZ large. upon every new
stride towards power, he showed the certificate
Of superior efficacy guaranteed by the most
signal success; and he assumed the empire of
France underthe proud title DetVy digniSsimc.
Neither did his actions M 90 this point encouf-
age any one 70 challenge the defects or flaws ol
his title. in practice, h.s government, was bill
liant abroad, and. with few exceptions. liberal
and moderate at home. The abominabo nur-
der Of the Duke d 'Enghicn showed tho vndic-
tive spirit OF ;hc savage. But i'll general tho
public actions Of Napoleon. al the commence
nent Of his career, were highly laudiblc. The
battle ofMarenge, with its consequences, thc
Of civil discord, the rcconc ,lia,ion
with the Church ofRomc. the recall of the great
,ody OF the emisran.s. the rcvivltica.on OF Ma
onal Jurisprudence, wcie all cven's calcua,-
I'd to flatter the Imagination, aud even gam The
lffections ofthc nation.
But with dextcri.y peculiar 10 himself Ma /
,oloon proceeded. while abolishng he republic |
o press into his service those very de,nocraiical
principles which had given rise 20 the revolution /
md cncour gcd the attempt TO found II COM /
His saga city had not faded 10 OBJ /
eryc, that the popular objections 10 'he ancient ,
government were founded c.s upon any obiec-
ion to the royal authority IN itself tlau 70 "a
'slikc, amounting 10 deies!at.on, of the pyy-
ges which il allotted 10 Tic ho5lc5 and 10 the
lcrgy. who held, from birth an Office. the right
D fill the superior ranks in every profession. and
arrcd the competition Of all others, however
upcrior in merit when, therefore, Napoleon
INSTRUCTED his new form ofmonarcaal govern
nent, he wisely considered that he was not Ike
hereditary monaroh,t cd down 10 any particu-
al rules, arising oUt of anc,cn usage, bat being
ilnsclf crcator ofthe power which he welded,
.e was at liberty TO model il according TO his
'wn pleasure. He had been raised also so cas-
ly 10 the throne, by the general acknowledge
nsnt fiji, merits, that he did not need the as
stance Of party Of his own; consequently,
,cinc unlimited by previous engagements, ard |
y the necessity Of gratifying old par'iaans or
cqrirnig new ones, his choice Was in very
sual degree free and unlimited.
Having, therefore, attained tho summit of
uman power, he proceeded odvscdly, and de-
berately, 10 lay the foundnton Of his throne
n that democratic prin,ipe which had OPEN
d his own career, and which was the throw