American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-01-13
Interesting Historical Parallel

1hteftSthhS 1ItStOEdCttA aFa1Iet
The last number of the North Aaaeyi-
con Recie1c contains an article entitled
THE Presidents Policy" in which we
find the following historical parallel ira
ced between Mr.. Lincoln and Henry ~.
of France, commonly called Henry of
Navarro
GA curious, and as we think, not inapt
parallel, might be drawn between Mr.
Lincoln and one of the most striking fig
ures in modern history-Henry ", of
France. The career of the latter may be
more picturesque, as that Of daring cap
tain always is but in all its vicissitudes
there in nothing more romantic than that
sudden change, as by a rub of Aladdin's
lamp, from the attorneys office in a coun-
try town of Illinois to the helm of great
nation in times like these. The analogy
between the characters and circumstan-
ces of the two men is in respects singu-
larly close. Succeeding to rebellion
rather than crown, Henry's chief mate
rial dependence was the Huguenot party,
whose doctrines sat upon him with a
looseness distasteful certainly, if not sus-
picious, to the more fanatical among them.
King only in name over the greater part
of France, and with his capitol barred
against him, it yet gradually became
clear to the more far-seeing even of the
Catholic party, that he was the only cen
tire of order and Legitimate authority round
which France could recognize ITSELF
WAile preachers who held the divine right
of kings made the churches of Paris ring
with deelamations in favor of democracy
rather than submit to the hereto dog of a
Bearrois-much as our Soi-diSdnt Demo-
Gratis have lately been preaching the di-
vine riobt of slavery, and denouncing the
herecies of the Declaration OF lndepen-
dence-Henry bore 10Th parties III hand
till he was convinced that GNly one course
of action could possibly combine his own
interes and those of France. Meanwhile
the Protestants believed somewhat doubt
fully that he would be theirs, Henry him
self turned aside remonstrance, advice, and
curiosity alike with a jest Or proverb Gf
a little high, he liked them none the worse)
joking continually as his manner was.
We have seen Mr. Lincoln contemptu-
ously compared to Sancho Panza by per-
sons incapable of approaching one of the
deepest pieces of wisdom in the profoun-
dest romance ever wrsten--namely, that
while Don Quixotte was incompatible in
theeretic and ideal statesnnnship, ,Sancho,
with his stock of proverbs, the ready mon
ey of human experience, made the best
possible practical Governor. Henry ~.
was as full of wise sayings and modem in
stances as Mr.. Lincoln, but beneath all
this was the thoughtful, practical, humane
and thoroughly earnest man, around whom
the fragments Of France were to gather
themselves till she took her place
again as planet of the first magnitude
in the European system. In one respect
Mr.. Lincoln was more fortunate than
Henry However some may think him
wanting in zeal, the most fanatical can
find no taint of apostasy in any measure
of his, nor can the most bitter charge him
with being influenced by motives of per-
sonal interest. Thesleading distinction
beween the policies of the two is one of
circumstances. Henry went over to the
nation; Mr.. Lincoln has steadily drawn
the nation over to him. One left united
France; the other, we hope and believe,
will leave a reunited America. We leave
our readers to. trace the further points of
difference and resemblance for themselves,
merely suggesting general similarity
which has often occurred to u.s. One on
ly point of melancholy interest we will al
low ourselves to touch upon. That Mr.,
Lincoln is not handsome nor elegant, we
learn from certain English tourists, who
would consider similar revelations in re-
gard to Queen Victoria is thoroughly
American in their want of biensedace--
1t is no concern of ours, nor does it affect
his fitness for the high place he so worthi-
ly occupies, but he is certainly ssas fortu-
nate as Henry in the matterof good looks
if we may trust contemporary evidence.
Mr. Lincoln has also been reproached with
Americanism by some not unfriendly
British critics; but, with all Difference,
we cannot say that we like him any the
worse for it, or see in it any reason why
he should govern American sless wisely"