Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-07-30
Pierre Eoule.
Translated from the French

Pierre Soule was born in the south Of
France in 1901. His father was Gen.
eral in Bonaparte's army. He was Ses.
tined for the ecclesiastical state, and was
brought up in the Jesuit College, in Tou.
louse, but be was soon disgusted with the
clerical career, aud ended his studies at
Bordeaux. There he took part in plotting
against the Bourbons, and was soon obliged
to leave ths; city. He then went te
Paris to practice law, and entered as the
editor of the Main, journal very hostile
to the Legitimists. After lapse Of time,
he was condemned, for slander of the press,
to a considerable term of imprisonment,
but succeeded in escaping and making his
way to America.
1t was in New Orleans that he es.
tablished himself in 1925. He entered
upon the study of the English language,
and soon became one of the leading advo.
Gates Of Louisiana. In 1919 he went from
that State as United States Senator. He
distinguished himself in the Democratic
ranks, and was re elected in 1S49.
Before the expiration of his new Sena-
torial period, in 1858, President Pierce
appointed him Minister to Spain, and he
did it in full knowledge Of the antcce-
dents of Soule, who was no stranger to
the unfortunate attempt Of Lopez to wrest
Cuba from its parent State. The Demo.
cratic party then aspired for that Island !;
not for her liberty's sake-their sole mo-
tive was to make it general depot for
slaves, and to assure forever the prepon-
derence of the South by this important
acquisition. This odious covetousness had
nothing in common with the efforts of to-
day, whose aim is to assure the independ-
ence of Cuba.
BE as it may, the Cubans thenceforth
nurtured the hope to break loose from
Spain, and those which were in New York
made kind Of ovation to Soule before his
departure for Europe. The sentiments Of
the new minister were not mystery in
Madrid at his arrival, aud consequently he
was not cordially received.
He fought duel with NJ De Turgot,
Ambassador of France, whom he wounded
dangerously. During two years he hardly
ceased to intrigue against the government
of Spain. Then he took part in the famous
conference of Ostend, with Mcssrs. Buch-
anan and Mason, two other representatives
Of the slave party. There it was decided
that above all things Cuba by right must
belong to the United States.
In 1855 Soule returned to America and
henceforth occupied himself little about
politics. In 1861 he pronounced himself
against secession, but had not the courage
to persist in his opinion, and made COM
mon cause with the rebels, without, how
ever, taking an active part in the war.
When the Federals had conquered New
Orleans, Soule ventured to make remon-
strances to Gen. Butler, who, to disem-
barrass himself of him, sent him to Fort
Lafayette. When he was again set at
liberty, Soule emigrated with his family
to Mexico, but he did not stay long, and
came back to New Orleans. 1t is now
about two or three years since his reason
seemed shaken, and tribunal pronounced
his introduction.
OF all the Frenchmen that ever came
to America, Pierre Soule is undoubtedly
the ono who has played the most brilliant
role. He became one of the most popular
orators of this country, although his
French pronunciation somewhat injured
his elocut.on.
The deceased was man of an accom-
plished education and excellent manners.
In politics he was an ardent Democrat.
At the conference Of Ostcnd he expressed
the wish that some one would invent a
steam guillotinc to cut off the heads of all
the European Kings.