Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-02
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1914.


the same moment gave TO his successors an exam
pie Of sublime moderation, to his fellow citizens
of the noblest lessons of. political wisdom that
ever emanaed from the pen Of mortal man. What
a contrast to the fate of Napoleon, who was I'M
questionably among the greatest of men, and who
wanted nothing TO make him perhaps the greatest
the world ever saw, but the virtues of Washing
ton.
Without doubt the different spheres of action in
which these two illustrious men respectively NOV.
ed, may have had material influence on their
character and conduct. Both undoubtedly frequent
ly acted under the pressure of mpelling crcum
stances, or strong necessity. | do not therefore,
Join in echoing the lndlscrminate censures heaped
on the head of Napoleon by that bitter unscrupu-
lous, and unrelenung spirit which is characteristic
of the British press. During the latter years of his
j life he was contendng with England for the EN-
pire of tile Old World, is now sufficiently demon
strated in the preponderance assumed by that pow
err since his downfall, and in such struggle there
is no other alternative than the submission ami
hilation of one other of the parties What there
fore appears to the frenzy of unchastened ambi-
ton, may have been nothing more than self-de
fence, which is sometimes, nay often, compelled to
assume an offensive attitude of prevention. 1t is
not always that the invader is the aggressor; and
it is at all times perfectly jusifable TO anticipate
blow we see coming, by striking the adversary be-
forehand Nor do wish to elevate Washington
er by the force of contrast through any invJious
comparisons. lie is among the greatest OF mon
because he possessed the greatest virtues and
was blessed by Providence with vast and compre
hensive sphere for their exercise. With him the
Temple of Fame is the temple of virtue.
The grand structure sought to be reared by Ma
poeon has fallen and buried that mighty morta
under its ruins. He attempted to push the worIc
aside from its course. and succeeded for time
| But the bow seems to have been bent the wrong
way, and finally broke or recoiled on hmself.-
| His actions were splendid almost beyond compar
| ison. and his genius equally grand. But appre
head there was great fundamental error III th'
| course of his career, and cannot help suspectlng
was in not giving liberty to France 1t would seen
that nothing permanently flourish which /
! founded in a radical principle Of wrong. King
| doms may be conquered, nations trodden unde
foot, and for brief period it may seem that fore
is triumphant over right, but there is worm In tn
chapet of glory acquired by such means whlc
| will soon cause is to wither and die. There Is
natural irresistible tendency in every thing derang
ed by violence to come in its right place again, Ell
Their by speedy reaction, or by going round IN
circle and ending where it began. 1t would seel
that truth alone is everlasting, and that nothing ca
permanently endure which is founded in wrong, c
hostile TO virtue.
The career of Napoleon ended in hopeless eS
lie, on barren rock in the lone and melanchol
| OCtdil uIil vi w ushlIIBluH CIOotu III liVIS TIA
meridian sp'endor, amid the blessings of his cour
try and the increasing admiration of the world
One left behind him little else than the wrecks
his career; the other founded vast confederation
every day Increasing in space, in numbers an
Prosperity, and which will continue to do so, on
Just in proportion as it adheres to his maxms al
| initiates his example. Napoleon bright b
scorchng lumnary, scourging the earth with col
suming fires; Washington, genial sun, mild, y
; radient; enlightening withou. dazzling; warmir
, without consuming Both exhibit great moral lie
, sons to the contemplation of mankind; one as
; solemn warning, the other glorious example.
They were enphatically the two great men
! the age, and naturally come in comparison Wi
, each other, not only on that score, but becaus
} singular as it may seem, they both greatly cont
+ buted to the liberties of mankind; one directly,
building up magnificent edihce of Freedom
5 the New World; the other incidentally, by pro
trating the ancient fabrics of despotism in the Oh
: and demonstrating the utter weakness of king
/, when unsupported by the confidence and affection
Of the people.