Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-03
A Parallel Between Napoleon ILL., and OctaVius


From the Bremen Handesblatt, (Bremen Commercial
Gazete,) translated for the Richmond Dispatch, by d.
VIC. .. .....-e.ss.. r.rzz8
Napoleon III has often been compared with Gusta-
vus Augustus and the similarity of their situations
well as their characters indeed striking one. The
relation between the two EmprorS Napoleon even bears
remarkable resemblance to the relation OF the Emperor
Augustus to the great Caesar. Like Augustus, the
grand nephew of Cesar Napoleon Ill Is not direct
descendant but nephew of Napoleon l, and like the
former the latter has also, nephew, become the In
herito of a word-hstorical General, Statesman and
Sovereign. Neither of the two was allowed to take
possession Of the immense Inheritance easily and quietly
Both had to undergo great danger and eXerns before
the Selling of it, Both had to gain the rich heirloom by
personal distinction and labor After the ASSASSINATION
Of Caesar there broke out the party and civil war
with all its fury which the living Caesar had chained to
his triumpha car and only after Augustus had gone
forth victor ont of the renewed wars the weared out
and exhausted nation took refuge in his arms longing
for peace. The interruption after the tragca overthrow
of the first Napoleon up to the elevation OF Napoleon
III of longer duration yet Only when the revolu-
ton which had been restrained and ended by the former
had after long pause broken out again with volcanic
violence and the social suerings and dangers began to
brighten the citizens the masses tired of the constant
party quarres and disorder sided with the party of the
Prince from whom they expected the reestabshment oil
order energetcal concentrated regiment and
the restoration of the French power which had consider
ably sunk during the new revolution. And so deeply
this opinion impressed upon the minds OF the mass
es that the formidable violent act by which the Pres-
dent broke the existing constitution and elevated his
sovereign power, looked upon the saliva
ton OF the State and afterwards approved of by
their Only the greved political leaders of the
third class retained the sting deep in their hearts
AS Augustus was full Of Cpsarean ideas, so is Napo
leon Ill enthusiastic for the political ideas of his great
uncle The two nephews not such creative geniuses
the great founders of their dyDastes and the authors
of their empires But yet the Princes equally
endowed by with extraordinary talents of ruler
and emnenty ab to take hold of and to exercise the
government of great realm. Both prominent by
political penetration and esghtedness both under
stand to contrive and to prepare great plans both
know how to estimate the circumstances, and to caicu
late the which success both regardless
in the application of those means, and with tenacious
perseverance pursue the appointed aim The conscious
ness of the personal vocation of ruler the feeling of
sovereignty is very strong in both. They feel and i'm
agne themselves to be the personcatlon of the power
OF the people and of the unity of the State Both want
to have the supreme power unlimited, and not only in
words and appearance with which absolute Prin-
ces satisfied but in reality Both therefore not
afraid Of personal exertion and labor without which this
would be impossible. Both rest their power principally
upon the will of the peOpe-as whose heads and repre-
senatves they imagine themseIves-and the applause
and the waits of the great more than those
of the higher classes. Both promise and protect the
peace but without fear of war; if it should appear
evitabe. Both have q regard for future times in their
plans and endeavor to the continuation Of their
government and of their institutions also, for their
cessOrS.
Augustus had succeeded in maintaining his sovereign
authority until his DEATH and in erecting the institution
of the empire, in firm form for centuries Will Ma
poeon ILL., be as fortunate his roman model? Is his
edice just firm in its foundation, and solid in its
ecution Nobody the first question with
any certainty; the second one may sooner be tried
How earnestly Napoleon III. thinks Of securing the
peaceabe succession of his son. is evident by the last
statutes about the regenshp and the division of France
into eight marshaates also the eventual authority
given to the Marshals. These exterior means to sup
press the revolt OF the mob and to resist the conspiracy
of the clubs, chosen with circumspecon and strong
ly provided for Against such military preparations
every rude instruction to be mpotent and hope
| less
And yet who thinks and talks about those
matters with sincerity, deny that the belief in the
continuation of the present order of the state in France
as we'll as beyond her limits, is but weak and toterng
and that by the latest events and measures rather has
been weakened than strengthened. In these measures
has also become evident the passion which feels itself
longer secure and pushed to anomalous means, which
hurt the of justice and increase the dissatisfaction
A law which threatens political opinion like a crime
the comforting of the police upon General who intro
duces the forms of blind military obedience into civil
offices, the oppressive yexng immortal system spying
the insupportabe molestatons by passports and the
hnderance OF free intercourse of which the peaceabe
citizens have to suffer the most the impedimens which
laid in the way of free scientific utterance the serv-
tude of the press the deportatons and condemnaons
without Judgment certainly far from being qualified,
to impart confidence and to give satisfaction
Whatever reasons one may give for tits want of be-
lief the symptom itself beyond any doubt and dam
ger in ITSELF for as belief helps to overcome existing
difficulties, it strengthens courage so the want of
confidence in the future during crisis induces now to
half and insufficient, now to exravagant and noxous
measures which make the evil worse. Belief however
may well be implanted in youthful minds but cannot be
forced upon an old and mature nation.
If, moreover, we compare the Roman condition of the
world at the time OF Augustus with the French of
our present days. find at the side of that similarity
also very important differences. Perhaps Napoleon Ill
himself has initiated the Roman Cesarean model more
eagerly than is justified by the difference of the nations
and the times
The contrasts, in the exterior as we'll as in the nteri
or so great that they cannot be overlooked Rome
was alone IN the world the on empire of the world
consolidated in itself, without rival All around the
borders of the Roman realm there uncviized ma
tOns without higher politics, without unity After the
defeat of Varus, the German forests Augustus had
renowned further c0nquerings The Roman realm had
found its bounds But far civilization was to be
found so far Rome was dominating. Civilization and
Roman empire the same.
France, however, does not stand so alone in the world
Other powers stand at the side of it, whose practical
opinions and Institutions not without influence upon
its life Although the Roman spirit of the French nation
may be inclined in higher degree to an unconditional
GENERALIZATION of the power of the State in the person of
the Emperor and thong the Roman character of the
French may submit willingly to dlctatOrial
power than the character of the German nations yet
the contiguous comparison with the free English const
tuition is warning continually operating against re-
gardess and passionate OveStranng of that centrazng
dictatorship. We cannot expect the French to re-
their political freedom entirely, as not only in
their history they have fought repeatedly for liberty
but there are IN daily intercourse with free nations