Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-04-05
ice. The result, in my opinion would

uCe. Auo result, IN my opinion would
fully justify the experiment A histori-
cal incident occurs to me at this time,
which will illustrate what mean in re-
commenting this policy. In 1899, Ma
poleon Bonaparte was chosen first con-
sui OF the French republic. Soon after
his appointment he called his counsell0rs
together and informed them in his frank
and fearless way, that France had to
prepare to make head against coalition
of all the great powers of Europe. ITO
fight all Europe successful "" said he,
1.-THE complete pacificatlon OF the pro-
vince OF La Vendee is absolutely neces-
sary. Gentlemen, what course ought
this government pursue to effect the
paclfication of that provincep'' s'Pacify
La Vendee!" answered his counsellors; !;
''that is task which is simply impossi-
ble."
s'La Vendee cannot be cenciliated.
The people are incorriglble rebels. and
they will seize upon the first opportunity
TO aid in overthrowing the republican
government. We have no alternative
left but to crush them. This government
will be compelled to destroy La Vendee
In order to save the French republic
81 hope not, y said Napoleon. "France
needs all her sons, and wi i not be the
man to destroy the children OF France.
| shall try an experiment upon these
Vendeans, ane Twill have to change my
estimate OF human nature if it does not
prove successful. shall send for the
Vendean leaders and meet them alone
in the Beis de Boulogne, and conciliate
them by doing them and their people
complete justice.'
"Meet these rebels alone in that for
estp" SAID his counsellors. "The traitora
will assassinate you"
"No," said Napoleon, "there is no
fear of that. Men who fight for con.
viction, however erroneous it may be.
are not assasins." .-.
He sent a safe conduct to the Vendean
chiefs. He met them alone in the Bou-
lougne forest. He told them frankly what
he had told his counsellors before, that
France had to prepare to battle against
combined Europe. and that the recon.
element of the people OF La Vendee
was absolutely necessary to enable hel
to encounter the coming storm. 81
might be able," said he, Ito destroy the
| province, but cannot reconcile its peo.
pie to republic. You can, however
You are the natural leaders of the peo.
pie. You can aid France and save youl
native province. There is a pledge un
der the seal of state that you shall be
left hereafter in full enjoyment OF your
own institutions and laws, usages anC
traditions, rights and privileges. The
people of La Vendee, shall have ful
power to manage their own affairs ir
their own way, without any interference
on the part OF the general government
The only return ask for this is that a.
Frenchmen you will assist your ceuntr,
in the coming struggle" The Vendear
chiefs burst forth into acclammations o
joyful surprise: '.Why, this is all we
ever asked for and more than we eve
hoped for. The republican rulers alway!
treated us as rebels and almost succeed
ed in making US forget that we art
Frenchmen; but you are magnanimous
you place confidence IN US and treat u!
as tel!ow-countrymen, and from thi
hour tellow-countrymen we will be, ant
as such assist France under any govern
ment to fight the combined power.
of Europe" And handsomely and gleri
ously they kept that pledge; they wer,
amongst the best soldiers of those armies
that entered in triumph afterwards int,
nearly all the capitals OF Europe; ant
from that day to this they have continued
to be amongst the most faithful citizen.
of their beloved country. This was tht
policy of the great Napoleon IN a cas-
very similar to ours. and my opinion il
that if both political parties, democrats
and republicans, would follow this ex
ample in their treatment of the south
the ''irrepressible conflict" as it is call
ed, would soon come to an end, and tha
dark cloud which now ebscures tn,
brightness OF our political horizon woulc
be sure TO disappear forever.
thank you for your courteous atten
ton, and now take my leave OF you.