Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-09-13
NAPOLEON AND WASHINGTON.
Americas First President Honorod mt thu
TuilerIes.

Tuileries.
simultaneously with these events
the most careful preparation was made
for a step which might rebound to
Bonaparte's 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 Tuileries. How
could an absolute dictator install his
penates in the sometime home of alb.
absolute royalty without inspiring
general distrnst? The first step was
to rechristen the pile as 'the palace
OF the government, the next to con-
secrate it to glory. From far and
near the statues of the great were
gathered to adorn its halls. The
choice of these displayed In significant
confusion the generals and statesmen
OF all times in all places, Alexander,
Cesar, Frederick, Cato Cicero, Brutus,
Mirabeau. Marceau and Joubert, and
many Others of lesser note, were as
sembled in effigy. But highest of all
was set the image OF Washington,
the news Of whose death had Just
reached Europe. His example was to
be held up as the real inspiration of
the new ruler. In order both to arouse
the imagination of the people and to
convince their understanding, the
army was put into mourning for the
great American, and festival was in.
stituted in his honor. To the honor
typical and ideal republican of the age
was a conspicuously effective idea,
since 1t accorded thoroughly with the
approved traditions of the revolution.
The celebration was set for February
., 1900, and proved great success. 1t
had already been decided to reawaken
public enthusiasm by instituting great
military ceremonies to accompany the
final deposit of the captured standards
from Aboukir in the hospital of the
lnvalides. These and the Washington
festival were interviewer with consum-
mate art, and while the First Consul's
victories were recalled in the imposing
parade, the simple and impressive
words Of an able orator, NJ. de Fon-
tanes, reminded the nation that the
immortal Washington had shown as
general more strength than bril-
liancy, and had awakened little enthu-
siasm, but great confidence; that he
was one OF the men inspired to rule
who appear from time to time in
the world; that he was neither par.
tisan nor demagogue; and that
when peace had once been signed
he had laid down his arms to be.
come the wisest of constructive legis-
lators. "Yes, Washington; thy coun.
sells shall be heard-thou warrior. leg.
islator, administrator! He, who in
his youth surpassed thee in battle, like
thee shall close with conguering hands
the wounds of his country" Minds
less quick than those of the Parisians
would have discovered the moral of
the address even without the perora.
ton. When the official journal next
day published the glowing words and
described the brilliant ceremony, the |
coming monarch was already lodged
under the roof the Bourbons. Since
at Leoben Bonaparte had made
the liberation of Lafayette and his
family an indispensable condition OF |
the treaty, it might have been expect
ed that his name, so long used else.
where in a natural juxtaposition, on
such an occasion would be linked with |
that of Washington; but the honors OF
the day were to be shared with the
dead foreigner, not with the living
Frenchman.-Prof. Sloane, in Century.