Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-21
TPROPRIETORS.
The Life orCurnof.

This work, from the pen Of Mr.. Arago.
the patriot republican aud illustrious phi
| losophcr Of France, must be one Of great
interest and merit. The last number Of
the Eclectic Magazine contains an admira-
Bile review Of this book, and we hope il
may be transla,ed soon and rcpubished in
the United States.
| Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot was
one of the noblestpatriots and greatest men
produced by the French Revolution. 1t
was justly said Of him that he organized
victory" whilst at the head Of the WarDe-
partment. 1t was under his administra-
lion that the Republic Of France fought all
Europe and gained those remarkable vic
tories which have been the admiration of
the world. Carnot was pure IN all things,
and yet the associate Of Robspcirrel He
was in the administration Of France during
the Reign of Terror, and whilst all those
horrible crimes were committed ut the
commencement Of the French Revolution
and yet he was guilllcss Of them all, His
name even appeared to some Of those fen
dish orders which made the life of Robes
pcirrc as airocious, but lac signed them with.
out knowing their contents, being wholly
employed with the War Department.
He saved, however. more lives than were
sacrificed.
In the character Of Carno, there is some
thing truly sublime as well as heroic
Nothing could move him from his duty to
his country or swcrve him from his own
high standard of honor. On one occasion,
when lis reputation was staked against
theintercst Of his country, he said: Let ma
reputation perish ratker than Wy co9atyyt'
When Napoleon returned from Elba, he
rendered to him his services. They were
most GLADLY accepted He afterwards
wrote: "Wheu offered my services to his
Majesty / was ready to sacrifice my Life
but not my honor Previous to this he
hid clung TO Napoleon ill he saw his am
bilious designs would ruin France, and he
then abandoned him. But when he saw
France, under the dominion of the Allied
Sovereigns, he was the last to quit Napo-
leon. What noble illustration ola noble
heart is thisl When Bonaparle was in the
zenith ofhis power and glory, and Europe
at his feet, Carnot refused to serve under
him, because he saw his country bleeding
at every pore 10 sustain the colossal gran
deur and ovorwccning ambition of his
monarch. But when the monarch was
deserted by fortune and friends, and all
Europe were in arms to crush him, hc stood
by him anl clupg TO him, because he saw
in his fall, the fall of his country and the
degradation of her national honor and glo-
ry. 1t was then that Napoleon addressed
him after the battle of Waterloo in those
memorable words: "Cdynot, Ihare bce0
too tate in hao,cing yoat'
In person, Carnot was greatly above the
ordinary size, "wiih regular and masculine
features, large and serene forehead and
sharp and penetrating blue eyes" In man
ners, he is said to have been polished but
circumspcct and cold but his reserved
manners "were united with warm and
aiiectionatc heart" DeAlembet said of
him "He was certainly not roicano coz.
cred iciM sno,c, but there was somahisg a.
bout him Mat aeent stfd,ght 10 Tie hoaJt."
Let those who are fond of plunging their
country into ii revolution and civil war,
read the life Of Carnot. His great talents,
his illustrious services. his life, his honor,
We're all devoted to his country, and Yet lie
had to fly that country twice as a criminal
and die an exile. He who had organized
fourteen armies, had defended his beloved
France against all Europe, and by dash
of his pen had recalled Napoleon, and
commanded generals and princes, had to
act the part of dirty menial and carry
baskets of old clothes on his head, in order
to save his life from destruction by that
country whichh had 50 glorously served!
But 1t was not his country which sought
his blood-not his beloved France--but
wicked men, who by urtifce and cunning
had placed themselves at the head Of
France, and in her name trampled on vr
tue, humanity and patriotisml