The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-09-28
LOUIS NAPOLEON.
The Story OF his Life-A Brilliant
Romance.


peror at Sedan, terminated the success
ful public career of one Of the most re-
markable men OF the Nineteenth Cen
tury. For twenty two years he has
loomed up before the eyes of the warld
as the grand central figure in European
politics. A nod from him disturbed the
entire continent. At word from his
imperial lips embattled millions rushed
into the field and the thunder OF his
artillery shook the thrones of Europe
to their very foundations. Aud yet
this autocrat was not born great; nor
was greatness thrust upon him His ca
reer was planned by himself; his achieve
ments were executed by himself; and he
is alike responsible for the glory of his
successes and the humiliation of his de.
feats The architect OF his fortunes, he
was, at the same time, the author OF his
ruin.
HIS PARENTS.
The father Of Louis Napoleon was
Louis Bonaparte, the third brother of
the first Napoleon. Iu common with the
rest Of the family, he stood in awe of
his magnificent elder brother, and, reali.
zing his dependent position, suffered
himself to be swaycd to and fro, like q
pendulum, at his will. Napoleon fore.
ed him to marry Hortense Beauhamais
the beautiful and gifted daughter Of his
royal spouse the Empress Josephinc.-
Louis aud Hortense were already en-
gaged to different parties aud viewed
the match with mutual repugnance. But
the iron will Of Napoleon never bent
before such trifling obstacles, aud he
commanded the marriage. There was
no appeal. Hortense broke her engage,
uent with the gallant Duroc, and Louis
sorrowfully yielded to the necessity Of
the occasion. They were married, and
Louis accepted the throne of Holland,
but the splandors OF royalty only gild-
ed the misery of the unhappy pair
There was continual life between them
and it has been asserted that the fair
Hortcnse proved false to u marriage
vow, which was in itself false, aud Law
ishcd her smiles and her iavors upon o
prominent Dutch Admiral. The story
may have been u foul slander, but it is
certain that when her third child, Louis
Napoleon Bonaparte, the subject Of this
sketch, was born, the husband Of Hor-
tense was more surprised than gratiicd,
and would not have recognized him
as his son had it not been for the
urgent recommendation of his august
brother.
uTC 1IIyyENTrE NADEpn
Hortense aud her husband separated
forever soon after this event, aud Louis
Napoleon, two years after his birth,
which occurred in 1903, was baptiscd by
Cardinal Fech, Napoleon and Maria
Louisa acting ns god parents. Louis
heirs to the French throne until the
birth Of :he King Of Rome, aud were
consequently very important p personages.
But the star of Napoleon was suddenly
obscurcd byth dark cloud Of an evil
destiny, and after the cyentlul Hundred
Days, the empire was shattered to frag
ments. and Waterloo. When the illus
trous captive left his capital for the last
time. Louis Napoleon, then seven years
cid, embraced him, and even then a
vague longing for revenge may have
filed the boys mind and decided
the career, which, in after years, was
to give him sovereign sway and master
dom.
HE BECOMES A REvoLUTIoN1ST.
The Revolution of 1880 came and
with it momentary g'cam of hope to
the Bonapartcs But Louis Philippe
refused Louis Napoleon's request that
he might be allowed to enter the French
ariiiy, and the youthful adventurcr re-
turned 10 Italy to take part in the at
tempted revolution in Romaga, in 1881.
France and Austria crushed the move,
ment, and Louis Napoleon barely sue
cccded III escaping from the country in
the disguise Of footman. More in.
trigucs followed without any important
results, AMI Louis Napoleon found him
self after the death OF his brother and
the Duke DeReichstadt, the heir to the
throne of the Bonapartes. He gave
himself up to political aud military
studies. A work from his pon, pub.
lishcd in 1852. entitled "lleverics Po.
litiques," declared that France could
only be restored to her former glory
and prosperity by member of the 30
napartc tamily--that no other could
unite the development of Republican
ideas with the military spirit of the
people He also published "Manual
OF Artillery" said to be valuable con
tribution to military science.
TIE sTRAsBoURa AFFAIR.
But Louis Napoleon was Of too rest.
less and impatient q nature to remain
long engaged in such peaceful pursuits
In 1886 he suddenly made his appear.
ance at Strasbourg and endcavorcd to
incite mutiny among the soldiers
assuring them that it was but the
beginning of a general revolutionary
movement. The attempt was discovered
and crush ed, and the adyenturcr arrest
ed. He was sent to Paris. Loui.
Philippe felt that he could afford to bt
magnanimous. He presented the con.
spirator with three thousand dollars ant
shinned him To Now York Ho re