The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-04-24
THE NEGRO EXODUS OF 1873.

To the Editor Of The Comet
The campaign of Napoleon Bona
parte into Russia was, as Talleyran
expressed it, " the beginning of tn
end" With an army splendidly equip
ped, he marched into the heart of tina
great Empire, and took possession G
its capital. Moved with a self sacrific
ing devotion to their country, the cit
zens set fire to their splendid city, an
while the flames leaped up to NEE
the feathery snow that floated dow
from the Over-burthened clouds, tn,
grand army began it's rrecipitate re
treat. In the midst of Russian win
ter, with the earth mantled with snow
and the rivers ice-bound, pursued by
the wild COsSacks and Russians the
army of Napoleon fled. 1t was said
1itty thousand French soldiers persisted
III their passage across the Berresina.
Napoleon had deluged the Continent
in blood, and the crowned heads OF
all Europe demanded his abdicatiOn,
Seeing the combined powers of the
Continent arrayed against him, he
abdicated the throne of France, and
was banished to st. Elba, an
island in the Mediterranean. Here,
for six months, he remained in con-
| tinement, but his restless spirit could
not brook the restraint thrown around
him, and eluding the guards, he took
a small boat and once more stood upon
the soil ofhis " La Belle France. " The
soldiers of the Empire tiocked to his
standard, and the army of France
once more beheld at its head their
beloved Emperor.
Louis PHILIPPE, the reigning prince,
took refuge in England. The conduer-
ing hero, however soon became aware
that all Europe was combined against
him. For one hundred days Napoleon
prepared to encounter the mighty hosts
With victorious banners he had march
ed into the proud capital of Belgium,
and here beneath the trees of Ardenncs
the grand army encamped.
The allied powers Of Europe met
him on the field of Waterloo, and
after one of the most severely contest
ed battles that ever took place, the
French army was defeated, and Napo-
leon was consigned to the Island of
st. Helena, where after months of tor F.
turing confinement he died. The Off f.
GERS of the French army who had /.
were tried for treason. a few were
shot and a great many went into exile.
A number came to America and the
of the United States ever
in Sympathy with the distressed and
granted them large
tract Of land in what is now known as
MarengO county, Alabama, and thither
they came. The town of Demopolis
translated "The City of the People,
was located by them. a few engaged
n grape culture and in farming, while
others devoted themselves to different
Two travellers once having
,rossed the river at Dcmopolis, after
'iding up the bank, the one asked the
he other if he knew the man who
lad ferried them across. No, said he.
That man said the other is General
-, who, during the reign of Napo-
con BOnaparte, commanded a divis-
on in the French army. But farming :
nd grape culture did not suit these
estless spirits that had made
europe one vast field of battle; I
rged on by that spirit of unrest they
Don scattered. Some Joined Gen. !,
Bolivar, who was engaged in a war in {
outh America, known as the Boliv- ;
IN war. A few remained, and
emnant of those restless spirits are =
ow to be found in the second and {
lird generations who aided Napoleon {
! building up and tearing down dYnas-
es as If they were play-things. This i
tile tOwh that these Frenchmen laid il
ut, still stands on the banks Of the i
igbce, but another race has aiken a
Of it. The sons of Abraham, a
hose seed God said should be as the :
nds OF the sea, have taken almost Il
ltire possession of this town as they y
I'VE almost every town and village il
this rich section of Alabama. z
range as it may seem, there is not y
prominent business house i'm the :,
ace conducted 10y Others save these II
realities, who self cXilcd, holds =
Of this quiet little town Il
at the Government i'm its munifi- "
nee granted to those wandering
lies from France. How long they e
IN remain or who shall come after l'
en-, il is not given in the spirit of il
ophcsy. Il is said that the Jews u
scrt the thriftless towns rs the rats ID
the sinking ship. The houses do not d
{ over their heads. When YOU see a A
w fold up his tent like an Arab, "and K
emily steal away" the very spirit Of D
ISOLATION seems to brood over that y
ace, and the goats-it may he the +.
Of the inevitable scape Il
,at-walk in and take possession. p
do not think the wall Of those Jews :,
lo gather around the broken walls
Jerusalem and lament the desoia-
N Of their city aud the scatt ring Of !,
cir tribe, affects these sons Of Abra- cl
m. 4 more jolly set Of fellows You u