The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-03-03
Louis Napoleon.


As the recent events at Paris have pa
ced the President Of France with pecu'ia
prominence again before the public eye.
and he has undoubtedly made up his mind
to write for hmselfno insignificant chapter
in the yet nnwritten history OF the future,
we have thought that briefreview of the
main incidents OF his eventful life would
be of especial interest at the present time.
We have therefore prepared the following;
Charles Louis Napoleon, now President
Of France, is s'n OF Louis Bonaparte. Ia
brother of the Emperor, and of Hortense
Beuharnais- daughter of Josephine Beu.
harnais, who subsequently, became wife
OF Napoleon, and Empress of France. 1t
will be seen, therefore. how Immediately
no is allied with that period which all
Frsnchmen still revert to as the best days
Of their greatness and glory. He was born
at Paris on the Goth Of April. I808. and is
consequently now neally a. years OF age.
He was special favorite of his uncle, this
Emperor, who, while iondling him on his
knee, used to charge him that his first duty
was to him, and his second to France -
He spent great portion Of his youth
among the mountains Of Switzerland with
his unfortunate mother. Having obtained
general and military education in these
romantic valleys, with military comrades,
the exciting news Of Revolution wakened
his youthful ambition. Escaping from
Austrian clutches in the brief Italian move.
ment of 1881. he returned to his studies
until his restless ambition drove him from
private life to scenes OF ilisurrection and
revolution. On the 30th of October. 1873 /,
he raised the standard ef unsuccessful re-
volt before the walls Of the French frontier
town of Stratsburgh. For this act Of in
surbordination, the government banished
him to America. lie was brought to our
shores by French ship Of war. but imme-
diately on his arrival here took passage
for England. He resided alternately at
London, and with his mother in Switzsr-
land
In 1910 France was again under the in
f1uence of one OF those popular frenzies
which seem to seize upon it periodically,
the cause of the excitement being ths ex
pected arrival Of the remains Of the Empe-
ror from St. Helena. Availing himself of
the Napoleonic feverthusoriginated, Louis
Napoleon resolved to land in France. Of
feet revolution. and drive out the Orleans
family. On Sunday. the 18th of August,
1910, the steamer "City Of Edinburgh" a
small chartered vessel, dropped down the
Thames from London with, what seemed
pleasure party Of foreigners on board. 1t
was the party Of the Quixotic adventurers
Of Louis Napoleon. On the 9Th they land
ed near Boulogne. This act of folly soon
terminated in their capture; and being
brought to trial before the Chamber OF
Peers. they were found guilty and con-
demned to various terms of imprisonment.
Prince Louis was sentenced for lifs, and,
with the Count Montholen. was .ent to the
Fortress Of Ham. From this prison he
escaped in the guiss of a common laborer,
on the 25th of May. 1916. Soon aAsr the
escaping Of the Prince, the other prisoners
were liberated and their offence soon for
gotten.
Scarcely had the Revolution of Febru-
ary, l848, occurred, when rising from their
haunts in all parts Of Europe. the various
members Of the Bonaparts family hurried
to the scene of action France received
them with open arms. The result of the
general election OF France, on the 10Th Of
December, 1913, is well known. Tho
Strstsburgh and Bouogne adventurer. the
former prisoner of Ham. was raised by the
suffrages Of five millions Of people to the
Presidency Of the French Republic.
Evsntfnl as his history has thus tar
been, recent occurrences indicate that an
other and moro eventful one is to follow.
+ Hi, AJ71e