Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-17
PRINCE NAPOLEON.
Changes In his Name and the
Charges Of COwardice.

Geneva Continental Times.l
Americans are sufficiently far away
from the scene Of European politics
to be able to view them more dis
p~assionately than Englishmen. Hence
the former have rendered more JUS
tice than the latter to one Of the most
striking personalities Of the Old
World. Napoleon Joseph Charles
Paul, the head Of the imperial branch
Of the house Of Bonaparte, has often,
but incorrectly, been styled Prince
Jerome Napoleon. For this trifing
error he has himself to thank. Du-
ring his cousins reign it was obviously
impossible for him to sign by his first
Christian name alone. II might have
led TO confusion, and would have been
discourteous TO tho sovereign. He ac-
cordingly adopted the signature Of
Napoleon (Jerome)," the latter hav-
ing been his fathers name, though
not bis own. When the Republic
seemed to be definitely established, at
least for a while, he assumed the moro
splendid signature Of Napoleon
Bonaparte." Since tho death OF the
Prince Imperial he has dropped the
"Bonaparte," and otherwise given
the plainest indications that, France
ever returns to the C@sarist form OF
government, he means to be Caesar.
They little know the Prince who
dreams that he will abdicate in favor
of one OF his sons or any other human
being. He has an ambition which is
bounded only by prudential consid-
erations aud a desire TO have the sub
stance rather than the shadow Of
power.
The fates alone can tell whether we
shall ever see that face, so like the
face of the conqueror Of A~usterlitz,
on French coins and postage stamps.
Enough to say that the chances Of
Napoleon V. are not worse than those
Of NAPOLEON III, when, forty years
AGO, the future Emperor lay in the
Fortress of Ham, a prisoner under a
life sentence, and what seemed worse,
covered with morited ridicule. The
French character has not materially
changed since eight millions Of
Frenohmen ratified the coup d'etat.
What the nation hates and despises
to-day il may love tomorrow. And
vet there was in the temperament of
Louis Napoleon an element Of success
which is wanting to tho present chief
of his line. The mystic and atalist
Louis had a genuine belief in his
mission as the heir Of the great EN-
peror. Prince Napoleon has no such
belief, and the lack of faith is but
poorly supplied by the confidence he
entertaiHs in his own abilities, though
! these are Of no mean order. Another
circumstance, damaging to the
Princes prospects, is too notorious tC
, be overlooked. Very unjustly, a.
there is every reason to believe. h,
! has incurred the reproach most iata
! to a soldier and q man, who aspires t
; rule over his brother man. Why per
= sons not blinded by party passion
should have stigmatized the Prince
as a coward, it is difficult to see. H,
returned from the CFimea before tn
war was over, but so did the Duke o
Cambridge without losing his reputa
y ton for courage. Both highnesse
we're, in fact, recalled for the sam
reason, that they showed a disposition
9 to Set their own wills above that Z
their respective commanders. Prime
. Nspolean, again, refused to fight tn
: Duke of Aumalo. With only a child
!, life between him aud the Frenc'
throne, he was bound, as a good cit
y ten, to refuse the challenge, which,
y truth, was never meant TO be accept
E cd, Who can conceive Of a duel be
tween the Crown Prince Of Germs
ny and the Duke Of Cumberland Fc
all that, it is to be regretted, in Prime
! Napoleon's interests, that he did nc
g cross swords with the Duke Of Al
e male. The fatal mark is now indel
q bly, branded, as though with a hC
4 iron.