Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-02-16
From the Cincinnati Enaairers -
,arp0l.E EON. -

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From the Cincinnati Epaairers - 9
sssssiss nrR0hEON.
Anything in connection with the icnar-
acter-of this extraordinary man, should be
Interesting to the general reader. His
name has become household word, and
is craven upon the memory Of the school.
boy. But a few years have passed since
tho world was astoundcd at the brilliancy
of his triumphs, and Europe convulsed un-
der his inhuence. On the crimsoned field
of Waterloo, however, the sun of his pros
perity went down, and the emancipation
OF Europe from hereditary rule, set back
half century. When he fell, the masses
in France lost the truest friend they ever
ehadj and the tear that dimmed the eye of
the peasant, contrasted we'll with the smile
that sat on the brow of royalty. The wall
ofgrief that went through France, upon
the reception of the news, was simultane-
Gus with the deep drawn breath Of security
with which royal boson1s heaved.
On that day another hero rose,-Eng-
lands worshipped Wellington. Her bards
and historians are ever singing paems of
praise in his bshalf, and heaping unmeas-
nred abuse upon the memory Of Napoleon
A false public sentiment has been created.
The dangerous influence of unbrided am.
bition, pointed at in his career, and the
youthful mind taught, almost to ishudder
at the repetition of his name. But the re-
vilers of Napoleon have had their day.
the night is passed, and the world is waking
up to the real greatness of his character
The truth is that in this country, the
shackles which English literature has fas.
tened upon American mind are being
thrown off; and merit shines out through
the fog and mist in which it has been en-
,shrouded. Through the Intervention ofthe
pen, Wellington has been made hero,
but when the merits oftlle victor and the
fallen are, compared, they contrast as the
pigmy with the giant.
hi spite of English historians the char
ac,er and virtues Of Napoleon will be ap-
preciated. He was reformer, a radical
and progressive one lie taught the world
that crowns were not sacred things, and
kings not Gods chosen yice-regents on
EARTH For this, the Kings of Europe, and
their minions hated him while he lived,
and for this they reviie his memory when
dend. It's not now, as formerly, taken
fos granted that oil that English historians
write is true; and the-claims of Wellington
to the ealogiums that are heaped upon him,
are being canvassed. s
Had Marmont not sacrificed his owr
reputation and the interests of France, By
an exhibition of inordinate vanity and am
biticn, on the Geneva, the alaurels which
enwreaah, the brow Of Wellington woule
haye encircled his own, and history con
signed the .hero Of Waterloo to oblivion
But chance, not intellect gave Wellington
the victory there, and, chance and Grouchy
made him the sshero of Waterloo," The
reader of history, who thinks for himself
heginsto enquire whore and when, the ex-
raordinary military skill has been exhibits
ed by Wellington that should place him
upon. the. same platform with the grea
Captain of Francea But he searches ane
enquiries in. vain. He examines his char
acter as o, a,ssatesman, to find if there is any
thing great there. But, with the minds
eye, he looks across the Atlantic and find.
in Wellington stern old duke, welded II
roynlty, with deaf ear and stony heart
to, the cry -ofthe masses of England, as they
beg Cor bread. S.. a..s .ass. e.a
In the character Of Napoleon, we find
the great, statesman. No man ever livee
endowed with q superior intellect. Nc
man ever lived who loved France bette
than he, or who :, contributed a tithe, il
comparison, with him, to her elevation il
..sa scale ofnations. The short interva
nfnesce allowed him by Europe, for the
culs;yati.san Of the arts and sciences, ant
thsscodes .o.s laws prepared by him to'
France. lis conclusive proof OF his ability
naa. civilian. His whole history proves
sl,sa the great end and object OF his am
bition4was to make France the grea1es
nationin the work, himself her architect
No man ever had so deep a hold upon the
affeetionsiof the people of France, and nc
man ever loved her people better.
AS warrior, where can his equal b.
found in the worlds history2 With wha
lightning-like rapidity does he march from
victory to victory. The allied armie
mel. al his approach, their commanders
looks on, in wonder at the celebrity of hi
and the exhibition of his mill
tasyi skill, and sermined royalty itself
forcedfo bowin Submission at his feet.
VIVA, enabled N Napoleon 10 accompIls
an nst1is. Was it because Bourbon Dioo
cevrsedst sthro1gh his veinsa Nay, 1t wa
owing 10 the indomitable energy OF n
character, and the force Of his own cigar
ticmind. Always self-balaneed and. sci
reliant,l he was the artifcer of his oW
brilliant career. From a poor and sfriene
less Corsican boy, be advanced step b
step antilhe sal upon the throne OF II
Bdurbons. an Emperor, q dispenser {
crownsaso Kings aieifs a 81 .Il.tsfs.E
J. Hescame upon the stage when the ell
ments Of revolution in France were rii
and doing their widest work. He ha