Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-13
A Fallen Monarch.

From the Boston POst.I
Within tive short months, what mar
velous change has befallen France and
her Emperor No event could more i'm
pressively illustrate the mutability of
human affairs. Yesterday, Napoleon
was in state, at the head of powerful
and prosperous nation; to-day, he is
prisoner in the hands of his enemies.
We think of him in the midst of his bril-
liant .fetes, receiving crowned heads, re-
viewing his troops on the Champ de
Mars for the Sultan of Turkey, welcom-
ing Albert and Victoria to the shores Of
France, kissed by the Queen of England,
and invested with the Order of the Garter
by her own hand, opening the Grand
Exhibition of International Industries,
his Empress in brilliant state at the in
auguration of the Suez canal, planning
the tunneling of The Alps, freeing Italy,
composing France to order and prosper
GUS industry, the peer of the mightiest,
and with name deservedly held in re-
spect at every Court in Europe, living at
the Tuileries, and there expecting at the /
appointed time in peace to die The
fortunes Of war have wrecked all, and /
with his personal overthrow involved the |
future destinies of France. 1t is not
heart warmed with human sympathies,
or a mind accustomed to serious reaec-
tons, that can turn away from the con-
trast with gibe or dismiss it with
sneer.
Let critics apply themselves to actual
results before dipping their pens in gall.
What magic has not Napoleon, by his
wisdom and patience, his energy and
foresight, wrought for France? Within
twenty years what European nation has
made such strides of Advancement II
was by a vote of eight and half mil
lions that he was first elected by the peo-
pie. Since he took the reins, he has per-
formed whole century OF service for
the nation. Look at the long list Of
magnificent public works, instituted for
peace as well as defense in war. Note
his firm and faithful encouragement Of .
agriculture, as the foundation interest Of
all Recall what he has done for trade
and commerce by establishing free trade
Look at the numerous lines of French ,
steamships Mark the
steady progress made in liberalizing
in liberty of instruction, in
enlarging freedom of the press, in the
system Of railways, in the building up Of
in establishing institu-
tons Of public credit, and in bringing
closer together the interests and sympa-
thies of the provinces and the capital.
These are tangible, substantial accom-
not wrought at the expense
Of the people, but by their cooperation
and for their permanent good. As he
has ruled France, to him belongs the
glory of sll these achievements. Had
he lsbored solely for his selfish interests,
France would have a very different re-
cord 10 show. No ruler ever more COM
pletely identified himself with the pros
perity and happiness Of his country.
II cannot be reasonably denied that
such men is in the highest sense a
statesman. If he has employed power
1t has been for the Interior popular
good. No paltry ridicule from preiu-
diced sad passionate minds can reach a
ruler thus inspired. As he ever claimed
70 derive his power from the people. So
he has steadily used it for their advance
ment To-day be broods over the mast
in the Chateau de Chimay. his devoted
little son cinging fast to him the En-
press Fastening TO his side his throne
declared vacant by the Unanimous vo,a
Of the Legislature, and grandeur ~
power al departed together.