Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-10-22
WASHINGTON AND NAPonHoN.
BY an. cRANMER.


It is proper and expedient that we should often
recur to the conduct and chaFaeters OF great and
ilustrous men, so that we may form q lust appre-
citation ofthem and their deeds;
But our purpose now5is not SO mneh 70 qtscuss
the characters of Washington aud ~ apoeons as
to institute comparison between them. AS COM
pared with Napoleon--a man with whose name
the world still rings, and whose actions are slid
fresh in the memories Of some VINO waued with
him through seas of blood anu pinlnS OF caInage-
the glory Washington is to that of the other as
is light the sun to that of the sgl ow WORMS
- Napoleon exercised all his powe "a the attaln-
ment of an object which was as Steetlng as the
breath of the winls-the other bentga his ener-.
g;es to the attainment oil tile ness and lapPl-
ness of a future generatiell. Rapoleon, like the
falcon, made one soaring swoop and returned To
earth exhausted. Washington, like the eagle,
scared slowly but steadily on an uniting wing,
and rested in his eyTe on the very highest pinnacle
OF the Anime mo unit of fame. The one captiva-
ted the multitude by his bri liant and flashing, but
lInsubstantiaI feats. The actions of the other
were unornanented andlunado rned, but Substantial
and permanent. The one sighed for IN ideal
world, and endeavored to mould one according TO
his wishes-the other was content with the one
already in being, and stroys to develop its good
Napoleon was ever chasing q phantom, which,
like an ignus fatus, held out TO him tempting fat
teries and allurements he could never grasp
Washington directed his ends to the attainment of
an object which was real and could be gained
combination of meekness, humanity, and Goa
tentment.
The battle at the Bridge of Lodi was farmore
brilliant and grand than any which took place in
the DAYS of the Revolution. But the surrender at
Yorktown gave liberty toa people, and happiness
to nation. The one was the result of skill, dis
cipline, and power-the other, ofpatience, pese-
verence, and assiluity. The one will shine upon
the page of history rs a glowing achievement goi
| no great end-the other will appear as the inter-
position of Divine Providence, in the bringing
| about of mighty events. Washington has departed
but he has left behind goodly heritage of liberty
| and happiness Napoleon is no more, and his
name is linked only with the things of yesterday,
which, like greatness and glory, are 'ast departing
The memory of the one is dear to all mankind
| that of the other, commands astonishment rather
than respect. Inlife, one reposed his confidence
and trust in Heayen-the other, upon the power
of his own arm, and the might of his own strength
The one died an exileo sea girt rock, far from
his friends and companions-the other sunk sweet
" to rest in the arms of his country, and in the
midst oftne fruits othis victories.
Such are some of the characteristics whichldls-
tinguished these two great contemporaries otmod-
ern times; the one in the New World-the Other
in the Old. Weshington's character. like bright
mirror, will ever reflect its virtues, for time can
not dim It's brightness, nor can the mould and dus
of centuries marits polish. AS he aspired 10 moth
ing which lie did not gain, nor pretend TO TIM
which he did not possess he excited no hope
which were not fulfilled, nor raised any eSpecta
lions beyond cohsummation. Therefore, the pas
will ever illustrate his judgement and ability, ant
the future, his greatness and Tenowrs
AS his deeds and his actions were the Offspring
IofdisintereSted motives, his fame is pure and I'M
alloyed. Time will write the epitaphs of boil
Washington and Napoleon.