The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-10-28
PRINCE NAPOLEON.
Changes la HIS Name and the Charges Of
Cowardiee.
Genera Continental Times.

/ Genera Continental Times.
Americans are sufficiently far away iron
the scene Of European politics to be able Il
view them more dispassionately than En-
glishmen. Hence the former have Rendered
more justice than the latter to one of TIN
most striking personalities of the old world
Napoleon-Joseph Charles-Paul, the head 0
the imperial branch Of the house of Bona
parte, has often, but incorrectly, been stylet
Prince Jerome Napoleon. For this trifine
error he has himself to thank. During hi
cousins reign 1t was obviously impossible,
for him to sign by his first Christian nam,
alone. II might have led to confusion, ant
would have been discoureous to the sover
eign. lie accordingly adopted the signature
Of Napoleon (Jerome)," the latter having
been his fathers name, though not his own
When the republic seemed TO be definitely
established, at least for while, he assumed
tie more splendid signature of "Napoleor
Bonaparte." Since the death of the Prince
Imperial he has dropped the Bonaparte,
and otherwise given the plainest indications
that, If France ever returns TO the Casarisi
form of government, he means to be Caesar
They little know the Prince who dream that
he will abdicate In favor of one of his sons
or any other human being. He has an am.
bition which is bounded only by prudential
considerations and desire to have the sub.
stance rather than the shadow of power.
The fates alone can tell whether we will
see that face, so like the face of the consueror
of Austerlitz, on French coins and postage
stamps. Enough to say that the chances OF
Napoleon V are not worse than those of Ma
poleon III when, forty years ago, the future
emperor lay in the fortress of Ham, pris-
oner under life sentence, and what seemed
worse, covered with merited ridicule. The
French character has not materially changed
since eight millions of Frenchmen ratified
the coup d'etat. What the nation hates and
despises to-day II may love tomorrow. And
yet there was in the temperament Of Louis
Napoleon an element of success which is
wanting In the present chief of his line. The
mystic and fatalist Louis had a genuine be-
lief in his mission as the heir Of the great
emperor. Prince Napoleon has no such be-
lief, and the lack of faith is but poorly sup
piled by the confidence he entertains in his
own abilities, though these are Of no mean
order. Another circumstance damaging TO
the Princes prospects is too notorious to be
overlooked. Very unjustly, as there is every
reason to believe, he has incurred the re-
proach most fatal to soldier and man who
aspires to rule over his brother men. Why
persons not blinded by party passion should
have stigmatized the Prince as a coward, it
is difficult to see. He returned from the
Crimea before the war was over, but so did
the Duke Of Cambridge without losing his
reputation for courage. Both highnesses
were, In fact, recalled for the same reason,
that they showed disposition to set their
own Wills above that Of their respective com
manders. Prince Napoleon, again, refused
to fight the Duke of Aumale. With only a
child's life between him and the French
throne, he was bound, as a good citizen, to
refuse the challenge, which, in truth, was
meyer meant to be accepted. Who can con-
ceive Of duel between the crown prince Of
Germany and the Duke of Cumberland?
For all that, it Is to be regretted, in Prince
Napoleon's interests, that he did not cross
swords with the Duke of Aumale. The fatal
mark is now indelibly branded, as though
with hot iron.