The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-01-11
How Louis Napoleon Became President

There is no character in modern
ancient history more curious than that
of the present Emperor of the French.
Just now, when his relations with aiexico
bring him so prominently to our notice,
it may be OF interest to glance at some
of the earlier events of his career
Prince Louis Napoleon. as he used to
be called-the son of Louis Bonaparte
King of Holland, and Hortense the
daughter of the Empress Josephine
had always been schemer. He had
indulged from his hovhood in dreams of
empire. Being, according to statute,
the heir of his unGlc, the first great Ma
poleon. he was driven by the very exi-
genccs of his inheritance into contri-
yances TO obtain the sapreme power
over France, which he without doubt
persuaded himself was right Through
long, silent years he studied, until he be
came learned in Jurisprudence. He
knew well how to veil his designs by
high sounding talk about freedom and
honor and loyalty to the will of many.
Still for long time he was not appreci-
ated or considered a per,onage of much
Importance. 1t was, indeed rather the
fashion to laugh at him, and to regard
him as harmless because of sheer want
His attempt to rouse the enthusiasm
Of the French people. in 1885, covered
him still more with ridicule He pre-
sented himself before the army wearing
the clothes of the first Napoleon, and
conscious that IN point of hat, coat and
boots he resembled perfectly the hero of
Austerlitz, he imagined himself secure
OF welcome from the troops. He Was ut
terly quenched. however. by certain
resolute Colonel Talantlier, and was
shipped off TO America by good natur-
ed king of the French, Louis Philippe
In 1910 he made another attempt. this
time carrying with him tame eagle,
which he had taught to perform some
exploit that he trusted the people would
receive as an omen. The eagle failed
lamentably in its part Of the program
me; and again a firm, resolute officer
forced his way to the theatre of action
4 barraek yard-and disposed Of the
Prince his fifty armed followers. his flag,
his eagle, and his counterfeit staff, with
as much ease as though he had been deal
ing with { stroiling band of PLAYERS -
This time the would be Emperor was
tried for treason, and sentenced to per
petual Imprisonment in the fortress of
Ham, from which he escaped, six years
afterwards, in the garb of workman,
and went to England.
He took advantage OF the revolution
of lS4s. in which King Philippe was
deposed, to return again to France =
The third wins, says the old proverh,
and this third time he found more favor
in the eyes of his couutrymen. He wa.
chosen deputy TO the National Assem-
bly,. Lamartine, always opposed to the
Bonaparte dynasty, endeavored to effect
! his banishment, but was unsuccessful
and after a stormy debate, the Prince, at
thi. time forty years old, was found to
be the most popular candidate. The
election WAS conducted with perfect fair
ness the Prince became President, and
perhaps, a. be had already made two at
tempts on the throne of France, he had
some right to infer that the millions of
citizens who elected him to the Presi
dency were willing to make use of him
and his well known am bition rs means
of restoring to France an imperial form
Of government At any rate, he acted
upon this inference and no more held
himself bound to the support Of the con-
s.itution BY his oath of office, than did
Jefferson Davis and Robert F.. Lee, con
slider theuselve. bound TO the United
States BY theirs.