Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-06-19
Weekly-PubIished every Thursday

We now come to the expiration of his treason by a pub
lie execution. The Allies after they assembled in Paris,
demand some victims to sppease their anger. Many were
selected, but better counsel prevailed. and they were saved,
Ney was a prominent example; he had routed their ar
mics too frequently, and too nearly wrested their crowns
from them at Waterloo, 10 be forgiven. Though no more
guilty than Marshal Soult, and many others, il was i'm
possible 10 save him. IL was intended at first to try him
by martial law, but the MarshaIs of France refused TO ST,
in judgment on so brave, generous and heroic a warrior.
BY a royal ordinance the Chamber Of Peers was directed
to try him. Scornins to take advantage of any technical
tiles of law, he was speedily found guilty and ondemned
to death, by a majority Of a hundred and ~6flytwo. Sew
enteen only were found to vote in his favor. That he was
guilty Of treason in the letter Of the charge, is evident, but
not to that extent which demanded his death, No man
had done more for France than he, or loved her honor and
glory with a higher affection and his. ignominious death
is a lasting disgrace TO the French nation. Justice was
the grouse, not the ground Of his condemnation To
have carried on. the principles en- which his sentence was
based, would have ended in a public massacre. Ney and
Labedoyere were the only victims Offered up to appease
an unjust hatred. Wellington should have interfered to
save so gallant an enemy at the hazard Of his own life
but honor was forgotten in the public clamor, and the
sentence. which might at least have been commutcd into
Punishment, was carried out TO the letter. He 1as pg6-
heLy shot by Frenehmen(
His last moments did not disgrace his life. He was
called from his bed TO hear his sentence read. As the
preamble went on enumeratIng his many titles, he hastily
broke in-"Why cannot you simply call me Michael Ney,
now a French soldier, and soon a heap of dust 7" The
last interview with his wife and children shook his stern
heart more than all the battles be had passed through, or
his approaching death. This over, he resumed his won't
ed calmness. La reply 10 one of his sentinels. who said
Marshal, you should now think Ct DEATH" be replied,
"Do you suppose any one should teach me TO die ~ But
Tecolecting himself, he added in a miIder tone, 'cOmrade,
you are right. send for the Curate OF st. Sulpice | will
die as becomes a Christian ~ The place is still shown
in the Gardens of the Luxembourg where be was execut-
ed. As he alighted from the coach, he advanced towards
the line Of soldiers drawn up as execuiioners. with the
same calm mein he was won't to exhibit on the field Of
battle. An officer stepping forward to bandage his eyes,
be stopped him with The proud interrogation, "Are you
ignorant that for twenty-five years I have been accustom-
ed to face both ball and bullets I"
He then took off his hat. and with his eagle eve, now
subdued and solemn, turned towards heaven. said. with
the calm and decided voice which had turned the tide of
many battles. i declare before God and man that | have
never betrayed my country may my death render her
happy, UiUe la France y He then turned TO the soldiers,
and gazing on them a moment, struck one hand upon his
heart aud said. my comrades fire on me- Ten balls en-
tered him and he fell dead. Shame upon his judges, that
for a single act, could condemn one Drawer and nobler than
Them all, to so base a death. If France never has a worse
traitor. the day of her betrayal will never come, and if she
never has a worse defender, disgrace will never visit her
armies. Says Colonel Napier. in speaking of his death,
thus he who had fought fire hundred battles for France
not ONE against her-was shot as a traitor
His father, who loved him tenderly as the son Of his
pride and The glory of his name. was never told Of his ig-
nominious death. He was at this time lightweight years
of age, and lived to be a hundred years old. He saw by
The mourning weeds of his family, that some catastrophe
had happened and his fathers heart told but too well where
the bolt had struck but he made no enquiries. and though
he lived twelve -ears after, never mentioned his sons
name, and was never told Of his fate. He knew he " as
dead, but he asked net how or where he died.