The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1895-07-05
The Napoleon Fad.

The Napoleon Fed.
Magazines and newspaper have been
teeming with the "Life Of Napoleon. -
Whether this simultaneous production of
the life of great soldier was brought
about by the competitive tact Of literary
syndicate, or whether different authors
were vieing with each other in the
character Of their writings, or whether
the object of these writings was to slim
ulate human fortitude, we are not inform
ed. The Napoleon history has passed
through every form of literary conve-
nience, from the magazine to the un-
pretending newspaper.
The publication of this history, written
up and embracing every phase of the
Napoleonic character and life, inspires
the human mind, Notwithstanding the
publication is regarded in the light of a
fad.
| Young men who achieve distinction
and greatness in life have some secret
model in their mental vision that they
follow in every footstep of their career.
Perhaps no mind in the path of life
moves without following in the foot
steps of some ideal. No life is success
without guide.
The Napoleonic character however,
cannot be traced in the spirit Of entire
emulation, for Napoleons are few in life.
The model is only criterion, and it is a
strengthening to weaker minds who
weary in the struggle for existence.
The pilgrim who labors in the subjuga-
ton of the forest and the plain js no less
a Napoleon than the hero who removed
90 many obstacles and conquered SO
many nations by his genius and force of
will power and the proves Of his army.
In Napoleon's career there was no in
pediment to stand in the way of victory
and success. Note his crossing Of the
Alps with large army and meeting the
enemy in the rear, and gaining a SUBJ
stantial victory over the surprised and
vanquished enemy. But that was strate-
gem. So is success in life strategy.
The crossing of the Alps reads like a
romance, but history vouches for the
truth of military move over mountains
barely possible by solitary footstep.
While we cannot make comparison Of
examples of military achievements and
the humber pursuits of life, we can
point to the one as exhibiting wonder
full force of human ingenuity, and will
power, through many dangers and many
hardships.
AS we contemplate the experience of
the western farmer we are reminded
that his efforts through many trials, ex-
periments and adversities are like the
crossing of the Alps by victorious army
and coming in the rear of the foe and
subjugating him, driving him horse, foot
and dragon.
The Napoleon fad so called is valua-
bic lesson in life, though perhaps not
many readers of the GLoBE-REPuBLICAN
have taken the pains to read the history
of this renowned military chieftain.
When we talk of the plans for the ac-
complishment of agriculture in the arid
and semi-arid regions we are met with
the same amazement, doubts and UNI
belief expressed by Napoleon's officers
when they heard of the plans of their
superior. They believed the undertak-
ing beyond the power of accomplish
ment. They beheld in their Imagination
the trackless precipices, the icy crags, the
murderous avalanches, and they shudder-
ed at the prospect. But up from the
green grassy meadows at their feet they
rose until they seemed to pierce and
mingle with the silent clouds. Narrow
rocky paths that wound around precipi-
tons mountain sides and along the edge
of the huge lodges, where to look down
would cause the head to swim with
the moving host was obliged
to march in single file. The ponder0us
wheels were taken from the axles
and being slung on poles, were carried
forward by the men. Pine logs were
split and followed out and the heavy
guns being placed therein, were drawn
up the steep ascent by long rows Of
mules in single file. For hours they
toiled on, up the cherries. slippery path,
the air becoming more cold and piercing,
and the way more rugged, bleak and
barren, and one by one the hardy mules
gave out and sank from exhaustion. 1t
was more than the faithful animals could
endure. But the advancing host must
not stop to muse upon the horrors and
difficulties of the undertaking, for con-