The Placer herald., 1870-03-05
NAPOLEON THIRD.

present Emperor Of France, ia The nephew
Of Napoleon the First, being the youngest
son Of Louis Napolsou, the King Of Hol-
land, aud Hortsnse, daughter Of Empress
Josephine BY her marriage with v'scouo.
Alexandra dc Beaubarosis. He vac born
10 Paris, April goth. 1908, Napolsau and
Josephine standing ~ sponsors at baptism.
aud hs carly grew to be q favorils with his
imperial godfather.
As bis parents soon became aispated and
lived separately, be was chiefly educated by
bis mother, who resided in Paris. 1t is
note worthy that bis principal tutor was M.
Lebas, stern Republican. from whom be
nust have received thorough exposition
OF the truth and beauty Of Republican prin-
cipes. He also spent some time at the mil.
ilary college Of Thun, where be did not dis
tingush himself as a scholar, although be
acquired a respectable knowledge Of the
science Of gunnery. When the revolution
broke out in France in 1880. he a-ked per-
mission Of Louis Philippe to return 10 that
country, but was refused. In the year fol-
lowing, however, be took an active part in
revoluiic nary movements in Italy. While
there he is said to have joined the Carbon
ori, a Republican society. which is supposed
to have ius,igated his attempted assassina-
ton 10 January 1858. The death Of the
Duke Of Rsichstadt in 1882 left bin the
successor Of Napoleon l., no. by legitimate
descent. bu. by the imperial edicts Of 1904
and 1905, which Sc. aside the usual order
Of descent, and fixed The succession 10 the
line OF his fourth brother Louis, instead Of
that OF bis elder brother Joseph. This
opened a new career TO bis ambition, and
be seems about this time to have set bis heart
upon the attainment OF imperial honors. He
first wrote book called Reueries Politiques,
10 which be endsavored to demonstrate the
necessity Of an Emperor TO the true Repub>
ican organization OF France This work
was subsequently, expanded into Idees Napo.
leoniennes, in which the policy and plaus Of
the Emperor were magnited aud commend.
ed to the adoption of France. At various
times he made unsuccessful attempts to
excite revolution, and being finally ap-
prehsnded, was tried and sentenced to per-
petual Imprisonment 10 The Fortress of Ham.
After being in confinement for six years,
during which period he did considerable lit
erary work. be IN ade bis escape, aod took
refuge in Euglaud. He also spent short
time in the United States and South
America.
After the revolution Of ls4s. be was cho.
sen Deputy to the National Assembly, from
three French departments, including that OF
the Seine. On December l0h, when the
election for President came on, it WAS found
that be was elected BY very large ina
jority.
10 1851 be commsnced bis open struggles
with the Assembly and With the Republican
generals. On d .cember 2nd Of that year,
be issued bis famous decree, declaring Paris
10 state Of seige, and the Assembly dis
solved. Those opposing this action were
imprisoned, banishsd or shot.
Universal suffrage was ordered at the
same date, under which president was to
be elected for ten years.
Louis Napolson was. Of course, elected
un der this decree; and 10 November, 1852,
the people we're called upon 10 vote upon a
plebiscitun, rsviviug the old imperial dig
nifty 10 the person Of Louis Napoleon. The
votes we're largely 10 his favor, and he was
proclaimed Emperor under the title Of Ma
poleou III. 10 January, 1853, be married
Eugenie, Countess Of Tsba, . Spanish lady
Of remarkable beauty. who is still Empress
Of the French Hearth and Home.