The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-07-10
. The Napoleons.
Ist. Louis Globe Democrat. l

The tragic death of the French Prince
Imperial, at the hands of band of saw
age Zulus, marks an important era in
the history of the land he once seemed
born to rule, while calling renewed pub
lie attention to the violent lives of the
leading members of the brief but bril-
liant dynasty of which he was the last
direct representative and heir. The
history Of the first Napoleon is too
plainly written in the blood of nations,
and is too well known, to need more
than passing allusion in this contlee.
tion. The history of great conquerors
offers no parallel to the turbulence and
violence which marked his career. His
death was peaceful enough on the mar
row, rocky island of St. Helena. His
reputed nephew, Napoleon III. possessed
little of his illustrious uncle's ability
either as soldier or statesman,
though his name will live in connection
with one of the most brilliant and pros
porous periods of France. But the fate
of the family clung to him, and violence
marked his accession to the throne and
his retirement in disgrs ce when the vic
torious Uhlans galloped over the fairest
fields of France, and the tricolor was
tralled in the dust.
By strange freak of fate he, too,
died beneath the shadow of the British
flag. Injurious to France as his reign
had been in many ways, large portion
of the people whose wealth he had
squandered, and whose trust he had
abused, remained faithful to the i'm
perial cause, and their hearts turned
hopefully to his son in the trust that
he might some day wear the imperial
crown and win back the glories of the
first empire After the departure of
the imperial family from France the
young Prince dwelt with his mother at
Chiselhurst. and attended the English
military schools with the purpose OF
becoming an adept in the theory of war.
His life was uneventful for a Prince with
such large expectations until the news
of the Zuiu massacre of English troops
at Rorke's Drift reused the martial ar
dor of his late schoolmates, when he of
fered his maiden sword as volunteer
against King Cetewayo.
Without gaining any of the military
renown for which he thirsted, and
which, had he won it and survived
would have done 50 much to strengthen
his cause in France, he passed from
earth like his father and his grand uncle
under the shadow of the Union Jack
The sympathy of the civilized world
will go out warm and strong to his un
happy mother, who, in the prime of life
has seen power, husband and son pas
away, leaving her nothing butthe mem
ories of past joys and the prospect of {
hopeless, lonely old age. The remem
brance of the folly which led to hi
needless enlistment in war fraugh
with so many dangers, and promising
such uncertain and scant benefits, vii
add to the bitterness of her grief. II
cases like this human sympathy, though
kindly meant, has little power to hea
wounds that will rankle until the grav'
closes over the heart that carries them
But Eugenie's loss will be a gain t,
France, for it will effectually destro,
the dark shadow of imperialism, ant
place the young republic on firm fouu
dation. Pion-Plon, who now become
the head of the house of Bonaparte, i
detested and detestable. He can reve
hope to achieve power, though one o
his two sons may some day become
leader. The Imperial party is destine'
to dissolution. A part of it may drift
into the camp of the Legitimists, bu
the greater portion will undoubtedl,
take sides with the upholders of the re
public Imperialism lies dead in tn
coffin of the youthful Louis.