The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-01-17
NAPOLEON III.
Interesting sketch OF His Life.

NAPOLEON III.
| Interesting sketch OF His Life.
Napoleon Ill, or, as he was christ
ened, Charles Louis Napoleon, was
the youngest son of Louis, King of
Holland, and Hortense, daughter Of
the Empress Josephine. He was born
in Paris, 1908, the Emperor and En-
press, being sponsors at his baptism,
and 1t Is stated that from the first he
was fayorite with his uncle. He was
chiefly educated by his mother, who
resided in Paris under the title of the
Queen of Holland. After the battle
OF Waterloo, the family retired first to
Augsburg, where Louis learned the
German language, and subsequently
to Switzerland, where they passed their
summers, while in winter they repair
ed to Rome. The first tutor of the
ex- Emperor was NJ. Lebas, to whom
he Is supposed to have been indebted
for the republican principles entertain
ed during his earlier years. At the
military college OF Thun he learned
gunnery and showed an aptitude for
military arts, though his biographers
aver that he did not show any prede-
hction for scholarship.
When the revolution of 1880 broke
out, then only eighteen years old, he
petltioned Louis Philippe for permis-
sion to return to France, but was re-
fused, after which he and his brother
Napoleon repaired to Italy, and both
took an active part in the revolution
ary movements of 1891. France and
Austria helping the Papal government
to subdue these troubles, Louis and his
brother were banished from the
country-Nspoleon dying at Pesaro
the same year, 8 victim, a. it was sup
posed, of anxiety and fatigue. Soon
afterward Louis was prostrated by
sickness On his recovery, applying
for admission to the French army, and
being refused, he visited England,
stayed short time there, and then
returned to live with his mother.
About this time, the Duke ofReich-
stadt dying, Louis became the success
sor Of Napoleon l., by the imperial
edicts of 1904 and 1905, which set
aside the usual order of descent,
and preferred him over his brothers.
From this time began a new era in
his life-the object being an attain
ment of Imperial position and honors.
Turning his attention to politics, be
wrote book intended to demonstrate
the necessity OF an Emperor to the
maintenance of true Republican prin-
ciples in France, and subsequently
elaborated the theory in q work en-
titled Ldess Napoleonisaees, extolling
the plans OF his uncle and recommend
ing them for adoption. Subsequently
putting himself in communication with
Col. Vsudry and other sympathizers
among the garrison at Strasbourg, he
proclaimed revolution at that place
on October 80, 1886, which, however,
proved a sad failure, and resulted in
his capture. Louis Philippe, at the
solicitation of Queen Hortense, COM
muted 10 banishment the capital pun
ishment which it was feared would
fall upon him, in compliance with
which he came to the United States.
Staying here for a short period he
visited Souti. America, and it was
while sojourning there he received
news that his mother was seriously i'll
at Ahrensberg. Filial love, a trait
which was developed in the young
exile to an extraordinary degree,
brought him over the seas to her bed
side Just in time TO see her expire -
Once more in Europe he attempted to
defend his conduct at Strasbourg,
and the French government becom-
ing alarmed demanded his extradition
from Switzerland, which induced him
to leave England, where he busted
himself to getting up q second revO-
lutionary expedition. Accompanied
BY Count Montholon, who had been
his uncle's companion at st. Helena,
he sailed from Newgate, England, to
Boulogne in August, 1910. At Bou-
Ilogne the q pie were not prepared,
and he was once more captured and
condemned to perpetual imprisonment
in the fortress of Ham. Here he
passed his time in literary work on
political and social mstters-also
writing two treatises on Swiss mill
tary affairs and Manuel sur p ar
tillerie.
! After six yeats Imprisonment, be
, escaped by assuming the dress OF 9
he'd carrier, and returned to England,
where ne remained until the revolu
ton OF 1S48 broke out He then re
. turned To France and was chosor
deputy 10 the National Assembly.
( obtaining bis seat without much dif'
: ficulty. In May, 1850, he was elect
ed President. In 1851 breach en-
sued between him and the Legislature
which resulted in the triumph Of Ma
poleon. He next issued decI ee de
claring universal suffrage, after "hiel
; he was elected President tor ter
, wears. On November 81, 1852,
. Dle5iscitum was submitted to tn
: people for their approval or rejection
z conierring imperial dignity upon th
j President, and the vote being largel.
: in his favor, lie was declared Em
Z peror.
In January, 1858, Napoleon enter
= ed upon his domestic experiences b
!, marrying Eugenie, Countess de The
5 ba. q Spanish lAdy, whose beaut
: and accomplishments hAye since bee
i the theme OF general praise. l
: 1854, under his rule, war was decla
ed against Russia, and at its close
1855 he and the Empress visite
England, where they were receive
D with great warmth and enthusiasm
o From this period until 1853 his reig
Is was one OF personal happiness, sn
steady prosperity for the country
During that year an ATTEMPT Wa
made by Orsini and Others upon b
life - lie was riding in iha streets {
Psri-, which, tsken IN ecunectio
yi.h troubles il .he Legislative A:
!e sewbiy, caused : temporary eIcii'
= nens, but this wEs lost sight o. IL Ii
1e brilliant campaign against Austria
Z wear later, when by q series OF SUI
r cessiye victories at Magenta, Monte
hello and Solferine, under the leade
ship Of Msrshals Mac .lahon an
.. Nell, Italy wss put upon a firm bAsi
n ami the foundation laid for the pos
t;on she has since assumed amor
y, Euproean powers.
The late events in Nspoleon's pc
sonal history must be yet fresh
the remembrance OF most reader