The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-03-15
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

tainment, February %. The mega
tive, presented by Warren Rose, is
published in the Globe Of this week.
WASHINGTON VS.. NAPOLEON.
When we estimate the life of a
great man and calculate the great
ness of his work, it is natural for us
to exaggerate in his favor. Again,
when the chronicler writes the events
of the life of his enemy, we must OK
pect exaggerations in the other direc-
ton. But we may better know the
true value of a man by the general
impression he has left on the minds OF
his contemporaries,and the reputation
he has sustained since his death.
Although character is what we are
and reputation is what others think
we are, we may Judge with average
fairness what man is if we have, from
various historians knowledge of the
deeds of his life.
Such is the basis of our judgement
of the lives of George Washington
and Napoleon Bonaparte.
On the one hand we have man
whose character has been more adj
mired in his life time, and been more
lauded by his biographers than any
other character of modern history.
We know of no blemishea on his vir-
tue. In public and private life he
was honorable and upright. He was
patriot without reproach. On the
other hand we see Napoleon possess
ed of resolute, but quarrelsome and
gloomy, character. Jealousy and
ambition were his over-ruling pas
sions. Indeed, it has been said that
he worshipped ambition more than
he did God. Unprincipled and
without feeling, he did not hesitate
to sacrifice multitude of his faithful
soldiers to advance himself one step
toward royal power. We do not
deny that Napoleon's great achieve
ments were gained through his al
most unequaled ability to plan and
lead in battle. But, though he knew
how to win a great battle, he did not
know how to reap the possible results
of victory. History shows that Ma
poleon's opportunity was rare one,
but he ingloriously missed it. At
several stages in his career, if he had
been wise, he would have seen an op-
portunity to form one of the most
powerful and compact kingdoms in
the world. What was to hinder the
formation of such kingdom after
the battle of Marengo, or especially,
after the battle of Austerlitz? It lay
within his reach to become emperor
of the vast realm bounded by the
Pyrenees, the Alps, and the Rhine;
to become leader of the most magni-
ficent army in all Europe. Did he
do:it? No. His double-dealing, his
two-faced character, his overweening
selfshness stood in the way of such
success. His desire was to conquer
the whole world, but he conquered
only to destroy. His cruel and
despotic character for nineteen years
of almost constant war inflicted upon
Europe the most appalling miseries.
The pre-eminence of Washington
over Napolean is to be seen, not so
much in the display of any one virtue,
as in the possession and practice of
them all, and that amid circumstances
the most difficult. Washington, like
Napoleon, was born leader; but, un-
like Napoleon, his genius adapted
him to lead without dazzling man.
kind. It enabled him to draw forth
and employ the talents of others
without being misled by them. As a
soldier, he was careful to avoid mis-
takes, and did nothing for mere show.
Napoleon, on the contrary, flung his
strength into brilliant exploits, think
ing nothing of the sacrifice of his fell
low citizens.
The fame that Washington enjoyed
is of the kind that will last forever;
that of Napoleon is of the kind to
be buried with his bones. Washing
tons conduct was characterized by
wisdom, moderation, and frmness.
Other generals have been merciful,
others have been enduring, and
still others have been patient; but
Washington is the one in whom all
these characteristics were blended.
After having freed nation, would
Napoleon, like Washington, have re-