The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-18

eral peace declared. For the moment IL ap-
peared that all Europe was about to emerge
from the shadows of horyid war into sun
shine and new era of progress and hap
piness Never was a historical situation
more hopeful and hollow, more flattering
= and fallacious.
In the brief period of peace many things
were done to arouse the enthusiasm of the
French. The administration would have
the nation forget the violence and SORROWS
of the past. That new French society,
which had begun to display itself when
the Societe des Victimes was organized,
now burst the chrysalis and came forth In
splendor The First Consul was the center
of the radiance. He had removed his resi-
dence from the Palace of the Luxembourg
20 the magnificent Tuileries. Paris was no
longer lacking in brilliancy.
Napoleon showed the greatest genius in
reforming the civil and military institu-
tions. On the 10th Of May, 1902, the Le-
gion Of Honor was authorized and on tho
succeeding anniversary Of the demolition OF
the Bastile that famous order Of soldiers
was instituted Such was the precision,
the virtue, the energy, this skill and force
of tho administration that none might
doubt or oppose it The popularity OF the
First Consul became as unreasonable as
the confidence In him was boundless The
industries Of France fourished like new
spring spreading over May, and the funds
OF the Republic suddenly rose IA hundred
per oenti
The ambitions Of any other than Bona
parte might here have made pause. The
lust for more might here have been ap-
peased. He was really at the summit OF
human usefulness--and therefore at tho
summit of greatness. His birthday in tho
coming August would bring him 20 the
end OF his thirty-third year. He was
young and handsome in person. He was
warmed with enthusiasm. The bravest
men and the most beautiful women were
gathered around him-the one TO flatter,
and the other 10 adore. II the Jacobin
was still fluid in his blood, It no longer
expressed itself in democratic mutterings
and proclamations The long black hair
of the whilom revolutionist was closely
cropped The haggard Italian face Of the
pauper student had given place to rosy
cheek and smiling lip. Except in the in
congruous black cravat of tho otherwise
well-dressed First Consul, the sansculotte
was no longer discoyerable at his evening
receptionsl
But the project was already on for an
extension and augmentation OF power.
Glory must be added TO honor. The
mountain devil" was busy In the breast
Of Bonaparte. In the alluring summer OF
1S02 the dream had already possessed him
of a life tenure OF the Consulate. The
victorious general and popular chief execu-
tive would be consul ad fnem. The Sen
ate concurred in the proposal; and con-
sultum was prepared. There was dispute
whether IL should be for ten years or for
life; and In this form the question was to
be submitted to the people. A plebiscite
was sent forth, and the French nation was
asked TO pass judgment on its favorite.
Napoleon, sera-t-il Consul VieY Such
was the inscription prepared and put up
over all tho voting places in France. ma
poleon, shall he be Consul for Life?'
An extraordinary spectacle was wit
messed. On the 4th of August, 1902, tho
election was held The voters In France
numbered 3, 577, 259; and Of these 3, S6S, lS5
voted In the affirmative, leaving only 209,-
074 in the negatiyei 1t was perhaps the
most overwhelming popular decree ever
registered by a people. True, the soldiers
voted-voted for their idol True, the
clientele Of the Consulate voted--voted for
the master. True, the Revolution voted
NOANh lpE It's olEBIinHs 1INN, Niit ANbW
Order votcd-voted for its hope. But never
thelcss, the people votcd-voted for their
Man Napoleon might well mutter, Whose
are the votes opposed TO mes Those Of ide-
ologists, Jacobins and peculators under the
Directory" What he said was truel
But not all, In the meantime, had been
we'll with the Republlc-and with him.
Fortune In some things had gone against
the French. The coveted occupation of
Egypt had tottered and fallen. General
Menou who succeeded TO the command Of
the army In tAat country after the assas-
sination of Kleber, had behaved with sim
gular fatuity. Failing 10 perceive that &C.
centricity Is not genius he had turned
Mohammedan, and taken the name of
Abdallah Bey. He sank into inaction at
Alexandria; and when, in March of 1901,
Admiral Keith and Sir Ralph Abercromby
landed ut Aboukir and came against him,
he was defeated in battle, and the prospects
Of the French in Egypt were ruined.
Napoleon heard of the Egyptian disaster
with anger and modification. His chagrin
was little relieved by the death of Aber-
cromby, who was fatally wounded in the
battle of Alexandria, or by the foolish as
surances of Menou that all was going well.
1t became necessary for the French colony
20 evacuato Egypt, and this was done on
the 30th OF August, 1901. The First Con-
sui made no strenuous effort To retain his
conquest I'm Africa; for the preliminaries
of peace with England were now about 20
be signed; the dream OF French supremacy
in the land of the Pharaohs was forever
dissipatcd.
Tho year 1902 has been cited ms the most
glorious in French history. 1t was certain
ly the most fertile in promise. Why should
not the treaty Of Amiens become the happy
date Of new era for mankind9 France
was regeneratcd. England had gold and
maritime glory. Italy had emancipation.
Germany had expericnce--if nothing bet
ter. Russia had her pacific Alexander l.,
her Suwarofs, and her now provinces of
Georgia. America had democrat for
President, and possible Louisiana. But
all this was as hollow as an echo Of tho
nightwind Strange that the vast volume
of historical forces should be turned IN
,kts ,1fr.,f Ton ayJ In, that h., tho fpt