The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-06-05
which it succeeded, had a sword OF

sharpness fUf Ill ff5 tbNfHfoS.
The killing of Enghien created a tre-
mendous sensation throughout Europe.
Europe had not yet learned that the
blood of kings and princes is even Us
the blood of other men.
Certain it is that the death Of Enghien
FASTENED the tranHformation Of the Con-
suatc into tho Empire The seat Of the
First Consul was already in everything
but the name a throne Why not make
it throne in fact? The facility of the
French for change rendered easy the
project which the temper Of a heavier
and more serious race would have ro'
jeGted. Like the Athenian fancy, the
Partisan mind flies quickly to the new.
1t hovcrs about tho brilliant, the ex-
traordinary. 1t satisfies itself with glory
and enthusiasm. All these qualities III
the soul Of the people worked to the adj
vantage and purpose of Bonaparte; but
there was not wanting a measure OF op-
position. The Napoloonic desire soon
found expression. Petitions began to be
sent up from all parts Of France. These
were couchcd in Suggestive hints to the
First Consul that he should consolidate
his P0tCr.
On the 18th of April, 1864, the first
formal proposition for the conversion OF
the Consular Republic into AL Empire
was made by Curee in the Tribunate
The measure included the title of EN-
pereur des Francois for Napoleon. with
the right of hereditary succession in his
family. Though the influence Of the
government was strongly devoted to the
scheme, the proposal met with serious
opposition. The conspicuous voice OF
Lazare Nicolas Carnot grandfather OF
the recently assassinated President OF
the French Republic, was heard above
the din of affirmative applause. But Oh
the 18th of May the measure was car.
ried in the senate.
A consultum was promulgated, by
which the Imperial dignity was con.
ferred on Napoleon Bonaparte, and the
decree was at once sent to the people.
Another surprising election was held, at
which 1854, 251 voters recorded their
decision. OF these, 3,52t,875 were il
the affirmative, aud only 2,579 in the
negativel Whatever critical history may
say Of the antecedents of the Empire,
certain it is that no other hereditary
ruler of mankind was ever confirmed IL
power by such an acclaim of his coun.
trymenl With good reason the feudal
notion of territorial dominion hitherto
expressed in the titles Of rulers, gave
way under this Imperial election; fol
Bonaparte was made Emperor, not OF
France, but of the French.
Notified by tho Senate Of the estab-
lishment OF the Empire and Of his OWL
nomination thereto, Napoleon accepted
the trust, The ceremony Of notification
was at st. Cloud. Josephine was also
congratulated By the Senate. The Palace
of St. Clond was thronged on the occa.
sion with the distinguished and elite OF
France. Just after the ceremony was
over, a footman, rich IN gold lace and
scarf, made his way into the crowd,
whore the Baron Claude Francois dc
MISUNDERSTANDING to Bonaparte after
the disgrace and dismissal of Bour.
rienne-was standing. and said: "Sir,
the EMPEROR wishes to see you'll" 1t was
the first time that that astounding word
had been applied to Bonaparte! History
for nearly century has confirmed it.
At St. Helena he himself-offended at
the small-minded oficiality that desig.
mated him as General Bonaparte-sai6
Indignantly, Il shall always be known
in history as the Emperor Napoleon!'
The Empire thus created was made tx
date from the 18th of May, 1904; but
tho coronation of Napoleon did not take
place until the 2nd Of the following Dc.
cember. Practically, the change in the
government was not great. The stream
Of Consular power flowed into tho wild.
euing river of Imperialism without q
bend or tho noise of cataracts. The cor.
onation was q scene memorable III hu.
man annals. Plus VII, conoiliated by
the late Concoraat, came willingly from
Rome to crown the soldier Of fortune,
and to leave on him and his work the
Papal benediction.
1t was at the altar of Notre Dame
where the Revolutionists of the Terror
had danced the Carmagnole-that the
Emperor-elect Of the French knelt to re-.
ceive the diadem. The Pops gave it,;
but Napoleon, taking it from his hand,
put it OH his own head-a thing most
fitting to do; for he had made it for him
selfl
Josephine was crowned with her I'm
perious lord. Returning from Notrc
Dame to the Tuileries, the Emperor, Oh
reaching his own apartment, tore off as
rapidly as he could the imperial vest.
ments, and got himself into his usual
apparel; for he was man of business.
Tho occasion was sunlit with splendor.
and all hearts seemed full of life and
light: all but ono-the heart Of jose
phine. To her what ominous significance
was in that clause Of the senatus-co
tum which made the crown hereditary
in the family of Napoleonl Dire word
was that word family" to Marie Jose
phe Tascer, whilom Madame de Beau
harnais, now Imperatrice des Francois.
For she was forty-o and a-half years
OF age-epoch we'll nigh fatal to posi-.
BILE motherhood.
Only slight char ;Res were made in the