The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-02-12
LOUIS NAPOLEON AND GEN. GRANT.

apathy of his temper, backed by we'll
Informed understanding of c0nsidera-
BILE native yigor. and united firmness
aud patience which tire out or 0utlive
opposition. Like General Grant, he
has known how to wait and how to be
silent. He can hear counsels, and ex-
press no opinion of his own, and yet
wait till his counsellors have more
agreeable counsels TO offer. He can
seem to resign purposes to which he
still holds firm. Hitherto he seems
usually to have been of his own opin-
ion to the last, and oftentimes his judg-
ment has been wiser than all his minis
ters. To HIM is attributed an express
ion which well illustrates hislown sue
cess. In final interview with one Of
his own ambassadors, who had little
too much eagerness and ambition, the
Emperor said, sRemem5er that the
world belongs to intelligent phlegmat-
tcs-"
So says DR.. Bellows in the second
volume Of his interesting book on the
Old World in its New Face. The SINH
larity IN character OF these two promi-
nent figures in modern history is not
new, but serves as fitting introduction
toanother extract from DR.. BIS. book,
on which we have word or two of
comment to make.
Speaking Of Victor Emanuels sen,
the prospective King of Italy, and the
vices and folles of the court atmosphere
In which he has grown up, DIR. Bellows
says:
uThe growth of constitutions! gov
eminent has not favored the dignity or
the purity OF courts. Now that Kings
and princes have necessarily and pro-
perly lost their personal responsibility
and accountableness in public affairs,
their old duties being devolved on their
ministers, what have they left but to
amuse and enjoy themselves? and what
can the State do for its the0retic mo-
narchism but pet and pamper its reign
ing houses with luxury and pompY--
Kfnas and princes have now even more
personal license, and more caprices and
waywardness, and more exposure TO
vice and folly, than in their days OF ar
bitrary rule. Then they had cares.
GREAT and solid judgments to pass; they felt
the gravity of their positions and .eerc stead :
led by their responsibilities. They nere
brought too closely in contact Nth superior
men, ,olose councils they aoere obliged active.
iy to share, not to acquire some increase OF
realpersonal dignity. All this has passed
away in most courts. Kings and prin-
ces are partlof court show-puppets In
the parade Of state-coaches" &C., &c.
1t is hardly necessary to emphasize
with italics the sentences in the above
extract to which we would call partic
u.af attention. In the effort which the
more thoughtful and honest Republic
cans are making to conform our insti-
buttons rs nearly as possible to those OF
England, and to make ours parlia-
mentary, rather than Presidential
government, they lose sight OF the inn
portant fact that If it we're possible td
reduce the Executive to a mere puppct
and snowy head-piece for the admira-
tion of the porulace, the effect could
not be otherwise than prejudicial to the
dignity and purity Of our republican
court. Has it not already, and In ar
eminent degree, proved so? An answer
j. is not needed. But the leading Repub
=. licans are mistaken in supposing tina. i
Is the wish Of the American people tina
their Chief Magistrate should be rednc'
cd to caput mortuum, and they reckon
without their host If they fancy SO fun
damentai change in the organic struc
ture of the government as the complete
subordination of the President to thu
Senate can be accomplished peacefully
To attempt this is to repeat the folly o.
the Roman Senate with this difference
that the Rubicon is already crossed
and there is no Pompey TO try conclus
Ions at Pharsalia, no Brutus, and M
prospect, none earthly, of another Phil
lippi.
Gen. Grant cannot be ignorant of the
rights wsliioh have pertained to his higi
office, without dissent, from the days o
washington.down to Andrew johnson
Nor can he be Blind to the fact tina
when he shall choose to assert thos'
rights he will be cordially sustained By
the great bulk of the American people
who, fwearled beyond measure with the
burdens and yexations imposed upor
them by the caprices ola Senate which
has usurped all power and over-ride'
the constitution at willy seek peace i'm
peratlvely, and know that its restora
tlon can best and soonest be effected by
a return to the ancient order of affairs
For it must be evident to even the !eas
Instructed minds, that the repeal of the
tenure of-office bill, and the rehabilita
ton of the Presidential Office with it
Just powers, is the only mode In which
the now wofully dislocated machiner,
of government can be readjustcd with
out injury to the original plan and with
out shock to the industrial interests o
the country.
It may interest the ladies to know
that the wives of one of the captured
tribes represented in the Egyptian
tombs, are dressed in long robes, trim
med with three sets of full fiounces. =