The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-07-10
Young Men of Genius.


Hannibal was but 26, when, after the
fall Of his father, Hamilcar, and Asdrubal
his successor, he was chosen commander
in-chief of the Carthagenian army. Al
Y he captured Saguntum from the Ro-
mans. Before he was 81, he carried his
arms from Africa into Italy conquered
Publius Scipio, on the banks of Ticinus,
routed Sempronius near the Trebia, de-
feated Flaminius on his approach to the
Apprentices, laid waste the whole country,
defeated Fabius Maximus and Varro,
marched into Capua, and at the age Of SO,
was laundering at the gates of Rome.
Scipio Africanus was scarcely 16 when
he took an active part in the battle Of
Canoe, and saved the life of his father.
The wreck of the Roman cavalry chose him
for their leader, and he conducted them
back to the capitol. Soon after he was
20, he was appointed pro-consul of Spain,
where he took New Carthage by storm.
He soon after defeated successfully, As
drubal, (Hannibal's brother,) Mago, and
Hanno; crossed into Africa, negotiating
with Syphax, the Massasyliat King, re-
turned to Spain, quelled the insurrection
there, drove the Carthagenians wholly
from the Peninsula, returned to Rome, de-
vised the diversion against the Carthage
mans by carrying the war into Africa,
was appointed pro consul of Africa, cross.
cd thither, destroyed the army of syphax,
compelled the return Of Hannibal, and
defeated Asdrubal second time.
Charlemagne, was crowned King of the
Franks, before he was "a. At the age Of
20 he had conquered Aquitania, and at
the age Of 20 he made himself master Of
the whole German and French empires.
Charles the XII, Of Sweden, was de.
clared Of age by the States, and succeeded
his father at the age of Is. At ls he
headed the expedition against the Danes,
whom he checked; and with fourth Of
their numbers, he cut to pieces the Rus.
sian army, commanded by the Car Peter,
at Narya-crossed the Dwina, gained a
victory over the Saxons and carried his
arms into Poland; at 2l he conquered Po.
land, and dictated to her a new sovereign;
at "a he subdued SaxOny; at "a he was
conducting his victorious troops into the
heart of Russia, when severe wound pre-.
vented his taking command in person, and
resulted his overthrow and subsequent
treacherous captivity in Turkey.
Lafayette was Major General in the
American army at 10, was but 20 when
he was wounded at Brandywine: but %
when he raised supplies for his army on
his own credit, at Baltimore, and but %
when raised commander in chief Of the
National Guards Of France.
Napoleon was an officer of artillery at
IL. AT "a he successfully commaned the
artillery at the siege of Toulon. His
splendid an, victorious campaign in Italy
was performed at the age Of q. During
the next year, when he was about 2s, be
gained battle after battle over the Aus.
triaus in Italy, conquered Mantua, carried
the war into Austria, rayaged the Tyrol
concluded an advantageous peace, took
possession Of Milan and the Venetian Re.
public, revolutionized Genoa, and formed
the Cisalp inc Republic. At the age Of
20 he received the command of the army
against Egypt, scattered the clouds Of
Mameluke cavalry, mastered Alexandra
Aboukir, and Cairo, and wrested the land
of the Pharoahs and Ptolemies from the
proud descendants of the prophet. Al
the age of 80 he fell among the Parisiant
like a thunderbolt, overthrow the directo-
rial government; dispersed the council Of
five hundred, and was proclaimed First
Consul. At the age Of 81 he crossed the
Alps with an army and destroyed the Aus.
trians by blow at Marengo. At 33 he
established the Code of Napoleon; in the
same year he was elected consul for life
by the people. At "a he was crowned
Emperor Of the French nation.
William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham
was 27 years of age, when, as a member
os Parliament, he waged the war of a
giant against the corruption of Sir Robert
Walaole.
Tn, younger Pitt was scarcely 20, whel
with n'asterly power he grappled with the
veterans Of Parliament, in favor of Amer
lea. At 22 he was called to the high and
responsible trust Of Chancellor Of the Ex.
chequer, and at the same time he came
forth in his might on the affairs Of the
East Indies. At rs he was First Lord ol
the Treasury.
Giorge Washington was only q year,
Of sge when he covered the retreat Of the
British at Braddock's defeat, and the same
year appointed conlmander-in-chief Of al
the Virginia forces.
Alexander Hamilton was a Lieutenant
Colonel in the Revolution and aid to Wash.
ington at the age Of 20. At %, member
Of Congress from New York at 80, h,
was one of the ablest members of the con
vention that formed the Constitution
of the United States. At 81 has was ,
member Of the New York Convention, ans
joint author of the great work entitled tn
"Federalist" At 32 he was Secretary oI
Treasury Of the United States, and ar
ranged the financial branch Of Governmen
upon 50 perfect plan that no great i'm
prcvement has ever been made upon il b,
Il a