Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-23

BY JAMES PARTON.

! WOfid the nrst volume OF Llte OF JulluN
Caesar, the obvious design of which is TO
justify bis own conduct in sezing the
throne of France. The subject was well
chosen for his purpose, but he should
have published it in another mans name,
for no one much regards what an accused
person has to say in his own defence
II is better for criminal to employ a
skilful advocate than to plead his own
cause. We must own, however, that
there are points of resemblance both be-
tween Cesar and the first Napoleon. and
between Augustus, his successor, and
Napoleon III.
Caius Julius Cesar, born July 12th,
one hundred years before Christ, owed
his first popularity among the people of
Rome to the fact that, though born to
noble rank, he joined the party opposed
to the ancient sristocracy. He courted
the people by giving them glsdatorial
shows and public banquets, in which he
wasted HE estate and involved himself
ia enormous debts. Advanced, at an
early age, to public office, and holding a
seat in the Senate, be employed his power
and cast his vote on the popular side, and
was held in great esteem by the people
before he had dazzled them by victories
in the field. Nature appeared not to
have formed him for warrior; for, in
early life, he was slender aud Of weakly
constitution, and seemed chiefly to desire
distinction as an orator and political
leader Napoleon, also, was Of so dim
inutive figure, so pale, thin and insig-
nifcant looking, that, one day, in present.
ing himself in uniform to the lady whom
be was courtiug, she burst into the most
immoderate laughter at the ludicrous con-
trast between his appearance and his
martial costume. Napoleon, too, began
bis career as a radical Republican, and
served first in the armies of the Republic
Cesar was thirty-six years Of age be-
tore he had commanded an army. His
military career lasted eighteen years,
during which he conquered part of Spain
the whole Of France, large portion Of
Germany, and made two incursions into
Great Britain. AS a general, he strik-
ingly resembles Napoleon, especially in
the astonishing rapiliiy Of his movements,
and in his tact in securing the confidence,
the homage, the enthusiastic devotion of
his troops. His tactics in war, and his
policy after triumph, were precisely
those of Napoleon. When, by swift
marches, by skilful and unexpected con
centrations of force, he had overwhelmed
and paralyzed the enemy, and the con-
quered country lay before him desparing
aud utterly helpless, then he was accus-
toned to Coupler anew by clemency, by
offering peace on terms unexpectedly
favorable, by hesping honors and bounties
on the chiefs. There never was a great
er general. After the closest study of
the campaigns of both, we should be in
clned to accord to Cesar and Napoleon
equal rank as soldiers, but for the fac;
that Napoleon was Caesars pupil At
college, Napoleon studied Ce'ar'S tactics,
and in the field he applied them to mod
ern circumstances, methods and weapons.
Caesar was his master in everything; but
it is only a giant that can tread in giants
footsteps. Only man of genius can be
truly the pupil Of man Of genius.
After more than ten years of conquest,
Caesar, the idol of his soldiers and of the
Roman people, was still regarded with
jealous hatred by the aristocratic faction
at Rome, the head of which was Pompey,
great soldier, but a weak, vain, am
bitous man. This faction, at length,
drove from the Senate and from the city
Caesars leading friends, who fled toward
the camp of their chief "The die is
cast" exclaimed Caesar. He led bis vet
eran legions across the Rubicon, and
made open war upon Pompey. Two
short, swift, and mastery campaigns suf,
feed for the total destruction of his en-
emies, and Pompey himself was slain,
and bis head brought TO Caesar. The
victor was as clement in this new triumph
as be had been when waring against the
Germans and the Gauls. The chiefs Of
the aristocratic party we're promptly par
doned. and many OF than were placed in
high commands. Brutus, who had serv-
ed under Cesar, and who had sided with
Pompey, was one of those whom Caesar
foraave, and advanced to the governor
ship of a province. OF all the host who
had been in arms against him, not one
man was executed, nor the estate of one
man confiscated; the aim Of the conquer
or being to restore peace to bis distracted