Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-05
NAPOLEON AND WASHINGTON
Americas First President Honored at
the Tuileries.

simultaneously with these events
the most careful prepare ton was made
for step which might rebound to
bonapartes credit if properly taken,
but could easily be detrimental to the
complete success of his schemes. I'm
der the new constitution every de-
partment of government had an as
signed dwelling-place That of the
conSulS was to be the Tuilel.ies. How
could an absolute dictator install his
penateS in the sometime home of alb
Solute royalty without inspiring gener-
al diSrust? The first step was to re
chriSten the pile as the palace of the
government" the next to consecrate it
TO glory. From far and near the stat
ueS of the great We're gathered to
adOrn its halls. The choice of these
displayed in significant confusion the
generals and statesmen of all times
in all places. Alexander, Caesar, Fred
erick; Cato, Cicero, Brut1S; Mira beau.
Marceau and JoubeTt; and many
others of lesser note, were assembled
in ettigy. But highest Of all was set
| the image Of Washington, the news
| of whose death had just reached Eu-
rope. His example was to be held up
as the read inspiration of the new
ruler. In order both to arouse the
imagination of the people and to con-
vince their understanding, the army
/ was put into mourning for the great
4 American, and festival was inSti-
tuted in his honor. To honor the typi-
cal and ideal republican of the age
was a conspicuously effective idea
since it accorded thoroughly with the
! approved traditions of the Revolution
The celebration was set for Febru
airy 8, 1900, and proved d great sue
cess. 1t had already been decided tt
reawaken public enthusiasm by insti
tuting great military ceremonies tt
accompany the final deposit of the
captured standards from Aboukir il
the hospital of the InvalideS. These
and the Washington festival were in
terwoven with consummate art, ant
while the first cOnsul'S victories were
recalled in the imposing parade, the
i. simple and impressive words of al
able orator, NJ. de Fontanes, remind
ed the nation that the immortal Wash
ingtOn had shown as a general NOR,
strength than briliancy, and ha(
awakened little enthusiasm but grea
confidence; that he was one of the
men inspired to rule who appear from
time to time ia the world; that he was
neither partisan nor demagogue; ant
, that when peace had once been Signe(
r he had laid down his arms to becom,
r the WiSeSt Of constructive legislators
yes, Washington; thy counsels shall
:; be heard-thou warrior, legislator, ad
: miniStrator! He who IN youth SUI
t passed thee in battle, like thee shall
: close with cOnquering hands TIL,
wounds Of his country Minds les.
} quick than those of the ParisiaDr
would have discovered the moral o.
' the address even without the perora
5 ton. When the official journal mex
g, day published the glowing w>'r'ls ant
1 described the brilliant ceremony, tn
coming monarch was already lodGet
l under the roof Of the Bourbons. Sine
at LeOben Bonaparte had made tn
: liberation of Lafayette and his fanil,
2 an Indispensable condition of th
g treaty, it might have been expected
that his name, so long used elsewher
in d natural juxtaposition, ON sucl
t an occasion would be linked with tina
: of Washington; but the honOrs of tha
: day were to be shared with the deaC
r foreigner, not with the living French
7 man.-Prof. Sloane's Life of Napoleon
in the Century,