The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-24
CHAPTER XIV
DeStinv.


Wien the Gibb5n of the nineteenth century
-sll sit down to pen the history of Europe
aasHg this period, no event tina. be will have
% record will present to future generations &C
lany features Of interest as that of the
caoqueFed fortunes OF the monarch who now
les the French nation.
ihe extraordinary career of the first Napo
-ecn nay find a precedent in the brilliant cpl
s'-v' that adorn the histories of ancien;
Greece Aud Rome; and even more modern times
arc Rot without their example of the successful
sAlcr and politician attaining, in troublous
'aie, to tho dignity Of chief Of a nation. 1t is
az Zetaer doubtful, however, whether history
a2'i2ht or modern, can furnish an instance
Iade N Individual, laboring under all the
l'S3e'2ltages which attach to an unsuccessful
.1@Vai ed'enturer notorious, up to q certain
''-l.' only ior mis- foilies, dissipation, and ap-
plIsat want Of ability to all appearance with
~ l'iehds or political party without re-
4 ,9"n' either IN camp or cabinet, to recommend
80 20 popular favor; but having, for all po-
,..54' capital, oaly the bare prestige of name,
-nI unSoondtd faith il destiny; it is, We re-
Fe4,' altogether doubtful whether ancient or
-'oi'eLn history can furnish parallel case OF
80 % Individuals suddenly leaping from
-t"OsI ridiculous obscurity to the very summit
ioNeF, ana as suddenly changing the for
,'"es anu giving new direction to the desti-
Ees OF nation.
.i1rVei.ous es was the career of Cromwell
anu oi Napoleon, they had earned a title TO
- go"ndence OF the people they were ulti
-1;ey called to govern. Each, in his way,
-l' rendered important services to their conn.
!-tne one by queliDg internal commotion
Us other, by defeating the enemies of the
;O-'9 hepnDhc both abroad and at home.
lte' circumstances which left no doubt of his
ssa ;:.c as commander, of his subtlety as o
S...1'Ci-n' and OF his power over the masses
o,.p Dy step, the progress of each to supreme
@1'lofty may be traced, and their success ac.
..1ltad for; aud, though it may remain q
l1Ael question whether the founder of a new
u!1as'y or the destroyer of an old one was the
f.1],e: nan, posterity is in no doubt when, in
-e.ysclng her judgment of the men, che pro
~. each to have legitimate claims to the
"a tAe case Of tho present ruler of the
s. rol5a people, however, the most attentive
! 0I =. Oh history, and the shrewdest prophet
!, al ms own country, will find everything tc
- aS @ha pespleI his Judgment if he attempt
a. @cc'ant for Louis Nspoleon's unexampled
o.} :~'ioh 10 despotic authority, by any of the
:, rules which, more or less, may be said
r. .oeftniae the course of public events, and
vi HOseFn national fortunes. If Caesar Crom.
80 1nu the First Napoleon, had factions to
v +,tue at least they came to their work armed
-. - the powers of such law as existed
saI1 s'hened by reputation for daring in the
sr ,.a. winch Of itself was sure passport to re-
~; H. IN grasping the supreme command
- ambition appears to find its ready ex
1911 49, ~ the utter absence of any controlling
49, at the time of their usurpation, and in
80. 80 disposition Of the masses to encourage the
-, IS-aaeity Of the military chief who had lee
fleoi n:a'loaal legiOns to victory on many 6
n n,yOuli y-contessed field. But when Louis Ma
r icon Presented himself as q candidate 70,
poEGi@f 1ayor, it was at time when amongs
p o his own personal claims were of tn,
VII; 49, KIND; when his name was associated
ia TWO deplorable political failures, whiol
~ Su covered his pretensions with ridicule, an,
waen TIE extreme republican party in Franc
were IN the plenitude of their strength; il