Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-08-22
till one broad sheet of aalno rolled on tBe1,

Till one broad sheet of bame rolled on their
bosoms, and in such fierce and unexpected
flow, that human courage corid not with
stand it. They reeled, shook, staggered
back, then turned and fed. Ney was
borne back in the rehuont tide, and hurried
over the field. But for the crowd of fugi-
tives that forced him on, he would have
stood alone, and fallen on his footsteps AS
1T was, disdaining to fly, though the whole
army was flying, he formed his men into
two immense squares, and endeavored to
stem the terrific current, and would have
done so had it not been for the thirty thou
sand fresh Prussians that pressed on his
exhausted ranks For long time these
squares stood and let the artillery plow
through them. But the fate of Napoleon
was writ, and though Ncy doubtless did
what no other man in the army could have
done, the decree could not be reversed The
star that had blazed so brightly over the
world, went down in blood, and the "bra-
vest of the brave" had fought his last bat
tie. 1t was worthy of his great name, and
the charge of the Old Guard at Waterloo,
with him at their head, will be pointed to
by remotest generations with a sfuddor
We now como to the expiration of his
treason by public execution The allies
after they assembled in i Iaris, demanded
some victims to appease their anger. Many
were selected, but better counsel prevailed,
and they were saved. Ney was promi-
nent example he had routed their armies
too frequently and too nearly wrested their
crowns from them at Waterloo, to be for
given. 1t was intended at first to try him
by marital law, but the Marshas of France
refused to sit in judgment on so brave, gen.
erous, and heroic n warrior BY royal
ordinance, the Chamber of Peers was then
directed to try him. Scorning to take ad
vantage of any technicalilies of law, lie was
speedily found guilty and condemned to
death, by amajority of a hundred and fifty
two. Seventeen only were found TO vote
in his favor. That he was guilty of treason
in the let er of the charge, is evident, but
not TO that extent which demanded his
death No man bad done more for France
than he, or loved her honor and glory with
higher affection !; and his ignominous
death is lasting disgrace to the French
nation. Justice was the crcwSe not the
| ground of his condemnation. To have car
ried out the principle on which his SEN
tencc WAS based, would have ended in n
public massacre. Ney and Labedoyere were
the only victims offered up TO appease an
unjust hatred Besides, Ney's person was
sacred under a solemn treaty that yelling
| ton had himself made. One of the articles
of that treaty, expressly declared that "no
person should be moested for bis political
conduct or opinions during the hundred
days" On such conditions was Paris sur.
rendered, and there never was more fla.
| grant violation Of national honor than The
trial of Ney. The whole affair, from be-
| ginning 10 end, was deliberate murder,
committed from feelings of revenge alone
Napoleon never did so base an act in his
liIe-and on Wellington's forehead is n spot
that shall grow darker with time, and cause
| many curse TO be muttercd over his grave
llo should have intcrtered to have saved so
gallant an enemy at the hazard Of his life,
but he let his honor go down before the
cinmor OF vindictive enemies, and become
a murderer in the sight Of he world. Ney
was publicly shot as traitor.
His last moments did not disgrace his life.
He was called from his bed and TRANQUIL
sleep TO hear his sentence read. As the
preamble went on enumerating his many
titles he broke in" why cannot you sim.
ply call me Michael Ney---now a French
soldier and soon heap of dust I" The last
interview with his wife and children shook
his stern heart more than all the battles he
had passed through, or his approaching
death. This over he resumed his won,ed
calmness. In reply to ono of his sentincls
who said, "Marsha!, you should now think
OF DEATH" he replied, DO you suppose anv
one should teach mo to die 2" But recol-
ecting himself he added in mider tone
"Comrade, you are right, send for tho Gu
rate of St. Sulpice; | will die as becomes a
Christian" AS he alighted from the
coach, he advanced towards the file of sol.
diers drawn up as executioncrs, with tho
same calm mien he was wont TO exhibit on
the field of Battle. An officer stepping for
ward to baodage his eyes, he stopped him
with the proud interrogation, Are you ig-
norant that for twenty five years l have
been accustomed 10 face both ball and bul.
lets I" He then took off his hat, and with
his eagle eye, now subdued and solemn,
turned towards heaven, said with the same
calm and decided voice that had turned
The tide of 80 many battles, Z" ] declare be,
tore God and man, that have never be-
trayed my country may my death render
her happy, vive. la France w He then turn
ed 10 the soldiers. and gazing on them a
moment, struck one hand upon his heart
said, "my comrades, fire on me-" Ten balls
entered him, and he fell dead. Shame up
on llls judges that for single act could
| condemn one braVer and nobler than thev