The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-12
Selert StoEg
NAPOLKONS DEBUT IN PARIS
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH.

FarlS' Inc klng-LoulS AVl -hau peeh
executed, his queen. Marie Antoinette,
had followed him to the scaffold; Robes.
pierre and his associates had held the
government of France until they, in turn
had given of their blood to swell the
dreadful food their wild fanaticism had
poured upon the land; and now the Ma
tional Convention, with Barras for its
president, sought to govern the realm
with less ANARCHY, and more order, look.
ing for the time when they could safely
abolish the death penalty, But the rank
and reckless Jacobins, with their entire
disregard for all things orderly and hui
name we're not crushed out. On the first
of this October, Of 1895, full thirty thou
sand Of them were in arms, sworn to
overturn the government of the Conven-
ton, and to take the conduct of affairs in
their own hands. Paris was divided into
sections, like the wards of our American
cities, and this giant insurrection was
headed by the leaders in these sections.
In the section called Lepelletier were the
most influential of these leaders, and
there was the centre, or focus, Of the
gathering storm.
At length the Convention received in
telligence Of. the movement, and the
members were greatly alarmed, as well
they might be. There were at least thirty
thousand of the insurgents, and they
were well and thoroughly armed. The
Convention had only skeleton Of the
National Guard for defence, and that
guard numbered not more than five thou
sand, and not thoroughly organized at
that. Not another help could the gov
ernment call TO its aid. While the Con-
vention was yet delberating on the fear
full situation the tocsin ofrevolt was sound.
ed in the section of Lepelletier, drums
were beat and armed bodies began to as
semble. General Menou was sent at the
head of considerable force, to disperse
them. He was akindhearted, sympathe-
tic man, and he attempted to reason with
the riotous leaders; and at length, when
he found they were increasing in num-
bers, and that they were determined to
press on, he disgracefully turned and
fed
This was dark day for the Conven-
tion-for Paris-for France What
should be done 1t was not unknown
that the insurgent host had increased 10
forty five thousand men, and that their
plans were laid for marching upon the
Convention. 1t meant simply another
carnival of blood and horror.
AT this time young man had just ar
rived in Paris from Toulon. His name
was Napoleon Bonaparte. He was q
General of Brigade, and had performed
great things.at the southern seaport. Barr
ras knew him well-had been with him
at Toulon, and knew just what sort of
man he was.
1--WE have but FIVE thousand guards
men to set against this whelming force,
said Barras to the Convention; "butthere
is a man in Paris whose individual pre-
sence at the head of our National Guard
will render them sufficient to the work,
We must place General Bonaparte in
command Of our national forces"
But the Convention had great faith
in Barras, and they insisted that he should
assume the command. To this he agreed
on condition that Bonaparte should be
appointed secondin in command underhim.
Napoleon, who had watched narrowly
all that had been done, and who had
been dlsgusted with the ignominious re-
treat of Menou, thus giving the insur-
gents the first advantage, was sent for to
come to the Convention. He came and
was introduced by the president.-The
members were surprised. Could Barras
be in earnest? They beheld in the hero
of Toulon a small, slim, pale>faced,
teardless youth, looking to be no more
than eighteen or nineteen years of age.
The president explained to him the cha
racter of the force and armament they
had on hand, and then asked
General Bonaparte, are you willing to
undertake, with this, the defence of the
Convention?"
"Yes" was the only word spoken in
reply.
There was little hesitation and then
the president asked
"Are you aware of the magnitude of
what you undertake to dol"
Napoleon raised himself to his full sta
ture, and as his eagle eye flashed upon
those who sat near the president, he
seemed to have grown to be gaint
They quailed before the burning glance.
~ understand perfectly" he replied;
"and am in the habit Of accomplishing
that which undertake. But one thing is |
indispensable: must have the unlimit.
ed command, entirely untrammeled by
any orders from the Convention"
There was no time for debate. Them
surgents were in arms, and already ad.
vancing. Napoleon's terms were acced-
ed to and he was placed in command.
1t is doubtful ifthe captain ever displayed
his great qualities Of genius, skill and
courage more emphatically than on this
occasion. He showed that the true pow
ers of the battle chief were not to be
gained by study; they we're born with the
man.
Moments were precious AS we have
already said, the insurgents to the nuns
Der Of between forty and fifty thousand,
and all armed, were organized, and in
motion. A short distance from the city
were forty pieces Of cannon, with their
machinery intact and caissons supplied
with ammunition. This park of artillery
the insurgent leaders had marked, and
meant to secure it very soon.-They did
not need the field pieces quite yet.
Among Napoleon's officers who had
served with him, and whose quality he
knew, was young captain named Joa-
chin Murat, whom he dispatched to Sc
cure these guns and bring them to the
city. At the head of three hundred
picked cavalry, Murat was quietly dash
ing away at headlong speed, and arrived
at the park just as band Of Jacobin SOL
diery, sure of the prey, had hitched to