The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-01


universal 1t is simply humanity in In
surrection. Whether It be in France, in
Germany in Italy, in the Mediterranean
islands, in England, or the party-cursed
cities of the United States, it Is all the
same The only question with Bonaparte
now was whether his destiny might be
better attained by the leadership of the
Corsican revolutionists or by allying
himself with the Jacobins of Paris.
With skilful duplicity he did both.
Corsica on his return, was in a Torment.
Tho popular party was at one with tho
French democrats. The National Con-
yentiun passed decree that the exiled
Corscan patriots might return. FNoli
went home by way Of Paris, where he was
recognized as hero and made lieutenant
general and military governor of his ma
tive island. France was divided into de-
partments and Corsica was declared to be
one OF these
Meanwhile, the world was turned up
side down. The Convention had taken
the autumnal equinox of 1899 as tho date
of a new era for mankind. 1t was an
epoch Of universal abolition. The marvel
GUS thing was that while tho old expired
under the stroke OF the destroyer's wand,
the new did not spring up in its place.
The proud daughter of Theresa won't swift
ly after her lord.
Moderate patriots throughout France
and the world were alarmed and angored.
i Washington would follow Liberty no fur
, ther. Paoli, establishing himself at Corte,
a. stood for moderation. Ho was too old and
! conservative TO be rohaptizod in the muddy
| waters OF Jacobinism. But Captain Bona
parte at A jaccio was not of such mind and
| kind. He found himself at this juncture
| on two military steeds, both going in the
same direction, but at different rates OF
speed. He had never resigned his COM
| mission as colonel in the Corsican Nation
1 al Guards; but he now hold a commission
as captain in tho French army, and was
receiving pay from the national treasury.
| His captaincy and his colonelcy did not
consist. He temporized and intrigued
| with the revolutionists during the winter
| of 1899 -93; had an Interview with Paoli at
| Corte; departed without satisfaction; broke
with the governor, who ceased to be IA hero
| IN his eyes made conspiracy 10 invade
| Sardinia; tried To obtain an independent
| command; fell under condemnation OF the
| Paolists, and in June of 1898, was obliged
| TO leave Corsica with all the family Of
| Bonaparte
| NupOloOn arrlNtu hb Nlcb OH tDt lotn VI
June, and there rejoined his company
| The Fourth Regiment, TO which he be-
longed had been transferred to the ex-
treme southeast, as n protection against
the menaces of tho world along that threat
ened coast. The whole valley of the
| Rhone was afame with the Revolution
| Horror on horror had been heaped
throughout France. In Paris the royal
| family had been done To death; but on the
frontier the .rench republican armies of
| Custine and Kellerman, the one at Frank
fort and the other at Valmy, after brave
| battles, had been pressed back from the
border Only that OF Dumouriez had tri-
umphed over the Austrians on the bloody
| field of Jemmapes establishing a limo of
defenses as far as Liege in Belgium and
| the river Scheldt
Meanwhile after the execution OF the
| King, the allied powers Of Europe pledged
themselves TO exterminate the new French
| Republic--Terror and all-from the face
| of tho earth. 1t was thing easily prom
| ised, but difficult to accomplish The
duke of Brunswick, Notwithstanding his
| famous proclamation against tho French
and the liberties of mankind, found it so
20 his sorrow. England having joined the
coalition against tho enraged Republic,
tho latter virtually declared war against
tho worldl Into tho midst of all this con-
fusion, uproar and insurrection of an in
furiated people against kingdoms and
prircipalitios, the hairline of the solitary
Corsican captains life was now drawn-a
black mark almost undiscoverable among
the sketches and etchings which history
was cutting for the future civilization OF
Europe
Napoleon became French Republican
soldier He was soldier of fortune In n
sense moro profound than that phrase had
ever before conveyed IL must bo con-
fessed that the hardships and merciless
conditions through which ho had passed.
bearing with relentless pressure on his
tremendous mind--infamed as it was
with unquenchable ambitions--are better
calculated TO excite the compassion and
sympathy of after times TO kindle against
him that anger and censoriousness which
merely logical consideration of his short
comings failures and unprincipled
schemes would Suggest. The judgment Is
mitigatcd in contemplating such charac-
ter emerging from obscurity, under the
play OF complex forces, into the fore
ground OF light and action.
The regiment Of Captain Bonaparto con-
stituted a part of the Army of tho South,
under command OF General Cartoaux. IL
was tho business OF this division Of the
Fronch national forces To operate for the
recovery OF Marsoilles and Toulon; for
these cities were held by the enemies OF
| France. They had fallen into the power
Of the English fleets, assisted by tho local
| loyalists The situation was striking. Pa
triotisni was aiame in both the cities; but
tho representatives of the late monarchy,
| protected by foreign power, were not yet
down. 1t was out OF Marseilles that, I'm
| July of tho preceding year, band of pa
triots, most unique and strong, had
marched 20 Paris, singing on the way and
10 the very porohes of the Tuileries, that
| famous war song which Claude Joseph
Rouget do Lisle had given to tho French
nation and 10 all free men.
SO against Marsoilles and ToulCo, for
wrestling thom from tho English and 10y.
| alists tho forces Of General Carteaux are
! on the 9Th OF October, 1898, divided and