The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-19
Rsets and Fancies OF tho Religious
Press-The Ex-EmPeror Napoleon and
the American Pulpit Organs.

| tho American Pulpit Organs.
| Our principal religious contemporaries the
present week devote their leading editorials to
the subject of the death of Napoleon Ill 1t
will be seen from our quotations that some of
the criticisms upon the character of the de-
ceased are somewhat harsh. while from
neither Protestant nor Catholic do the Incl
dents of his career evoke words of panegyric,
nor his death sentiments of unfeigned sympa-
thy or commiseration. Most of the editors of
our chief religious journals have spent con-
siderable time abroad studying European
men, manners and monarchs, and know
whereof they speak. Hence their views are
entitled to no little share of respect.
The Christian Union Henry Ward Beecher>
AYERS that the late Emperor of the French
twill be remembered in history more for his
stupendous failures, his faults and his misfor-
tunes, than for the brilliant success which
rewarded for time his long course of ambi-
ton and intrigue" 1t continues
Born In the last years OF the great French En-
pre-. Dred In poverty and hardship, blessed with
neither great intellect liberal education,
ne raised himself to the purple alter youth Of i'll
repute, and for twenty years ruled restless and
powerful people with strong hand. He wore the
that he has gone forever from the scene OF the
wOrld's drama men speak OF him as little better
than fortunate adventurer, in whose character
there was not one element OF greatness.
He FELL" concludes Mr.. Beecher, "be-
cause he never understood what was good in
the human heart, but only what was evil. It
is one of Gods wholesome lessons to the world
that rule like his must be defeated by its
own baseness."
The Golden Age Theodore Tilton) is char
acteristically severe upon the dead monarch.
"Considered in all his long and damnable
career" exclaims the auriferous Age, " first as
a prohigate, then as charlatan, then as
usurper, then as despot, then as the murderer
of millions-in other words, looking back
upon his life, looking out upon his mischiefs
in the world, and looking thence down at his
unhallowed dust, we say, with all our Ameri-
can instinct and passion for freedom let his
memory rot!'
In summing up review of the chief points
of Napoleon's public career the Age says:-
In brief, true biography of this un-C@sar-like
Caesar would consist OF the following chapters
namely, Folly, Luck, Tradition, Pretensi0n, Glitter,
Slaughter and Ashes. At this unregretful moment,
while the debate Is going on In France about his
S we tn our weary Splits @
coffin OF Charles ", and, putting his hand on the
dead tyrant's breast and remembering that he had
been an enemy to liberty, exclaimed, with devOut
thanksgiving "Dead Then let him remain dead"
The Evangelist Presbyterian) remarks that
had he died three years ago ''his death would
have excited profound sensation throughout
the world. All Europe would have felt the
shock But he lived to see his star 90 down
in night, and to feel that the great title of Ma
poleon was no longer anything but the shadow
of name-nominis mnbra." The Evangelist
considers that it is not probable his death will
have great effect on the political state Of
Europe, and adds -
In France it will check, If not extnguish, the
hopes OF the mperialists, who, as long as the En-
perOr lived, would be intriguing for his return to
power. Now that he is taken away it is not likely
or her son. 1t will be hard to rally enthusiasm
around a woman or a boy. His death, therefore,
power in France, and gives one more chance of
permanence to the Republic.
The Independent bluntly calculates, ''Another
Dead Dynasty" and proceeds to say
The column in the Place vendome came down
with thunderOus crash which startled the g0ntns
in the streets and thrilled the nerves Of all excita
Bile Parisians; but the dynasty whose gl0rles the
column celebrated has fallen like dead cedar into
a deep mOrass, waking no echoes and leaving
nothing but a struggling branch or two to mark
the place where 1t lies.
According to this writer Napoleon III. was
an enormous sham. He was fool only in the
sense that the devil is fool. His intellect
was astute, if not comprehensive and his per-
captions were as clear as any thoroughly selfish
mans perceptions can be. His lack was in
the moral sensibilities. Truth was not in him.
There never was a civilized ruler whose con-
tempt for his own word was more absolute
The Independent believes that
It would have been well for Napoleon, and his
days might have been prolonged If he had cherished
cesses Of his reign no doubt shortened his life.
History will do him full justice, and her verdict
disnonorable man, with wit and persistency
enough to push himself on to the throne OF France
ana Keen himself there or twenty years. that he
nation which was none too scrupulous before his
day. and that he went down to the grave carrying
the well-earned distrust OF ChristendOm.
The Baptist Weekly Rev Dr.. Patton)
touches upon the death of Napoleon rather
mildly. It thinks that the history of the man
and the character of the nation may suggest
to others the possibility of results even from
his death, not now anticipated by those who
fatter themselves that Napoleonic rule in
France is forever ended. In the light of the
past it would not be rash to prophesy that
before many years popular election may call
the young Prince to the presidency of the
Republic, if not to the throne of what
lie Pays calls the 'indestructible empire"
The possibility of this may be inferred, DR..
Patton thinks, from the comments of some of
the influential of the French papers on the
Emperor death The reverend editor opines
that if these papers represent the feelings of
any considerable number of the people Of
France, the high regard in which the En-