Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-16
Washington and Napoleon.
BY G. L. CRANMER.


1t IS proper and expedient that we should
often recur to the conduct and characters Of
great and illustrous men, so that we NAV
from just appreciation of them and their
deeds.
But our purpose now is not SO much to
discuss the characters of Washington and
Napoleon, as to institute comparison be-
tween them. AS compared with Napoleon
"a man with whose name the world still
rings, and whose actions are still fresh in the
memories Of some who waded with him thro'
seas of blood and plains of carnage-the
glory of Washington is TO that of the other as
is the light of the sun to that of the glow.
worm.
Napoleon exercised all his powers in the
attainment of an object which was as feeting
as the breath of the winds the other bent
all his energies to the attainment Of the
greatness and happiness of future genera
ton. Napoleon, like the falcon, made one
soaring swoop, and returned to earth exhaus-
ted. Washington, like the eagle, scared
slowly but steadily, on an untiring wing. and
rested in his eyrie on the very highest pin-
nacle Of the Al pine mount of fame. The
one cap1yated the multitude by his brilliant
and flashing, but unsubstantial feats. The
actions Of the other were unornamented and
unadorned, but substantial and permanent
lhe one sighed for an ideal world. and en-
deavored to mould one according to his wish
es-the one was content with the one al
ready IN being, and strove to develope its
good. Napoleon was ever chasing pbap-
tom, which, Ike an ignis fatuis, held out to
nm tempting batteries and allurements he
could never grasp. Washington directed
bis ends to the attainment Of an object which
was real, and could be gained. The one
was ambition personi6ed-the other a COM
bination of meekness, humanity and content
ment.
The battle at the Bridge of Lodi was far
more brilliant and grand than any which
took place in the days of the Reyol lution-
But the surrender at Yorktown gave liberty
to people, and happiness to a nation. The
one was the result of skill, discipline, and
power-the other, of patience, perseverance,
and asslduity. The one will shine upon the
page OF history as glowing achievement of
no great end--the other will appear as the
lnterposition of Divine Providence. in the
bringing about of mighty events. Washing
ton has departed but he has left behind a
goodly heritage of liberty and happiness
Napoleon Is no more, and his name is link
81 sHAs sjt9 Ejt9 tRs tesGs # n sa sU All .
kind-thas Of the other, commands aston
ishment rather than respect. In life, one re-
posed his confidence and trust in Heaven
the other, upon the power of his own arm,
and the might Of his own strength. The one
died an exile on sea girt rock, far from his
friends and companions-the other sank
sweetly to rest in the arms of his country
and in the midst of the fruits of his victories
Such are some Of the characteristics which
distinguished these two great cotemporariet
OF modern times the one in the New World
the other in the Old. Washington's char
acter, like bright mirror, will ever reAec
his virtues, for time cannot dim its bright
/ ness, nor can the mould and dust of centu
: ries mar its polish. AS he aspired to moth
ing which he did not gain, nor pretend t,
that which he did not possess, he excited n,
It hopes which were not fulfilled. nor raiseC
= any expectations beyond consummation.-
O Therefore, the past will ever illustrate hi
e judgment and ability, and the future, hi
), greatness and renown.
:. AS his deeds and his actions were the of
IS spring of disinterested motives, his fame
pure and unailoyed. Time will write tn
ii epitaphs of both Washington and Napoleon