Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-07
RICHMOND WING,
WEDNESDAY MoaNING.JUNE :, 1866.
NAPOLEON,S CLEMENCY.
From the Lynchburg Repablicsn.l
- =. Z. i. -.--.-.E..-r -n..rnr. IL. NannI

From the Lynchburg Repablic an.
One OF the greatest secrets Of NapOleon'S
wonderful success snd popularity in his ear
lier career is presented in the extraordinary
1orbearance which nc generally observed to-
wards his enemies in the hour Of victory.
When he had quelled the inSurrection IN
Paris, the Convention, by whose authority
the young hero held his commission, desired
10 have executed the leader, Menou, as 4
traitor, but Napoleon successfully opposed
il on the ground that, as the insurgents had
been defeated and were harmless, the veil
of oblivion should be thrown over their
deeds. The Convention wisely acquieSced
in the wisdom as well rs in the mercy Of
the advice. Again, when Napoleon as
cended the first Consular Throne OF France,
among his first acts was TO open the
doors Of the political prisons, and set at
liberty 10000 unfortunate inmates, who
had been the victims Of the tyrannical
Directory. he went even to the Temple
himself, where hundreds OF these victims
were confined, and broke their letters with
his own hands. Finding that great number
OF Priests we've either imprisoned Ia dun
geons OF exiled from their homes and friends,
Tor thei~ political offences and opinions, Ma
pOleOn promptly rcdreSSed their grievances
and recalled them 20 their duties as good
citizens. On u certain occasion, young
man, with dagger concealed, sought an inter-
view with Napoleon in order to asSaSSinate
him. He Wss suspected by che guard, Ar
rested, and confessed his guilty Intentions.
Napoleon had him brought into his presence,
and after eNpOstulatiug with him IS TO his
great offence IN seeking to take the life Of
one who had never harmed him, offered 10
give him hiS liberty il he would deSist from
his bloody intentions. The young man re-
fused to accept the pardon on such cOndi-
tiOns, and be was turned over TO the keeping
Of a lunatic asylum.
These, and thousand other similar exhi-
billions Of greatness and mercy, made NapO'
leon better, if not more friends, than all the
thunder Of his immortal artillery, and are
among the most lasting monuments Of his
lame. He knew, better than any man who
ever lived, the secret springs OF human &C.
ton, aud was well aware that no friendship
could be lasting aud no Sceptre secure which
was won by lear or held by force. He desired
10 live and rule only n the heartS OF his coun-
trymen.
Whatever may be said OF President John
son IN other respects, and whatever his pre-
JUDGES against the rebellion may be, It is
certain that he is a man OF fine sense and
great foresight IN matters Of State; and, judy
ing the future from the past, he is not I'M
mindful Of MS own rising success II the
world. Ii Lett therefore, 70 act upon his
own Judgment in the matter, we think IL not
altogether improbable thai his policy towards
the South would be, IS L,ncon's promised to
be towards the last, 4 mi,der one than IS in-
dicated in tho laws Of the Federal Congress.
The sentence 90 1ios-r-. Bowie, UCue~ey and Nilh
2al, vino were convicted H. treason o., indianapolis aul
condemned tI Ne hung, haas h..u tuiIlGted ~ Presi
den. Johnson %. ... -.-.H slt tUr l..,.