The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-02-07

week TO week with varying eHecte dccoru-
ing TO their personal characters and preju-
dice of race. In general, they who had
imbibed the principles of the new French
philosophy either went after the Revolu-
ton or ran before IL waving a flag. Such
mind was Bonaparte's. No doubt he
was born volutionist-provided always
he could himself control the revolution.
His nature was fitted I'm every part for
that state of fruitful anarchy which tends
again To order. He was essentially man
for the storm and hurricane, but suited
best the after stages of the tempest
Would not this revolutionary fire in
France leap the sea and kindle itself In
Corsica? Does not occasion now offer for
the recovery OF Corsican independence
Does not the path of destiny open by way
of Ajaccio rather than by way of Parish
Or II the cause indeed lies by way of Paris
does IL not first extend through the native
island? The patriot Paoli resides In Eng
lish exile; perhaps he may return to Cor
sica, and we as his lieutenant in chief
may yet lead the patriots to independence
and glory. To sum up all, Napoleon at
this stage was whirled along by the COM
ing storm; but he cautiously kept his
bearings, became practical rather than
opportunity to become great.
Lieutenant Bonaparte remained with
his regiment at Auxonne until the 10Th
of September, 1890. The Revolution had
now been in progress year and four
months. The movement had become more
and more portentous at every step. The
ruined Bastile was already hateful, but
glorious, reminiscence. At this time Cor
az tod In, hn Ac-
sembly by two moderate patriots, named
Salicetti and Colona The royal delegate
from the island was that Buttafuoco whom
Choiseul had used in establishing the
French protectorate in Corsica
The people of the island were divided
into several hostile factions. First of all,
there was royal faction, very few in
number, composed of the petty Corsican
mobiles and the higher ecclesiastics. These
virtually constituted the insular "gov-
eminent. Secondly, there was moder.
ate party favorable to liberalism, but sup.
porting the French protectorate. In the
third place, there was a powerful revolu-
tionary party, favoring absolute independ-
ence, and seeking by the recall Of Paoli
TO overthrow all foreign authority. This
condition of affairs, as well as the deplor-
able state of his family, induced Napoleon
to obtain another leave of absence, and to
return to his native country.
On his way homeward, he stopped at
AK; and there he found his brother Lu-
Glen. That obstinate parsonage had with
drawn from the military academy at
Brienne, but had failed to secure admis-
sion to the theological school at AK.
There he was in poverty and hopelessness,
when Napoleon came and conducted him
back to Ajaccio. The latter at Marseilles,
visited the Able Raynal; but there Is no
record of what occurred. Once at home
the young French officer was recognized
as man of Importance; for he was the
only Frenchman in the island possessing a
thorough military education.
The project was now on for the organi-
cation of the Corsican mill tia; and Napo-
leon was necessary for success. He entered
into the revolutionary intrigues of the
day, moving obscurely and dangerously
among the popular leaders, wholly dis
trusted by the few aristocrats, and identi-
fled with the moderate liberals only at the
risk of his commission as an officer in the
French army. That army was still the
Kings army; but the officers were nearly
all, like Napoleon, infected with revolu-
tionary sentiments to the extent that al
most every sword might be said TO have
Republique dimly etched OH the blade.
The history of this period at Corsica is
small, treacherous, chaotic. From Septem-
Der of 1890 to the lst of June, 1891, Ma
poleon remained in the island, committing
himself more and more (but ever cautious
ly) to the motions of upheaval. Had it not
been for the universal dissolution he must
4
from the army. From the middle of Octo
Der until the following February, he over
staid his leave of Absence working al
winter at the various intrigues which were
rife among his turbulent countrymen. He
then devised "a plausible excuse which was
accepted at headquarters, and the near
day procured another extension of hi:
leave! Nor did he cease to flourish among
the agitaturs of Ajaccio until his final de
parture to rejoin his command in May o.
1891.
Such had been tho shifting connection
of Lieutenant Bonaparte with the Iron
Regiment that he was almost an unrecog
nized force In his own division of thu
army His absences from the commant
had far exceeded in duration his presenc,
with it. On returning TO France, he wa
assigned to the Fourth Regiment of artil
lery, stationed at Valence. His Irregular
ties as an officer had not so far prevailed
over the opinion of he great abilities ant
solid requirements as to prevent his pro
motion at this time to the rank of lieuten
ant en- premier.
On the political side, Napoleon was nov
drawn with great force towards the Revo
lutionary party an France. Perhaps tn
notion dawned in him that with the sue
cess of the Revolution and the rebuilding
of the nation on new republican basis
Corsica herself by like revolt and renova
ton, might join In the common move
ment to greater advantage than could b
gained by naked rebellion. This sentimen
was famed by proposition made at thi
time in the Assembly to enlarge the title
of the liking of the French" by addini
the names of the Navarrese and Corsican
formally to the list of his subjects. Al
such intermediary projects came to naugh
with the onrushing of the Revolution
They were soon swallowed up with tn
King himself and all kingly things in tn
deep hell throat that opened.
But ever and anon the Corsican tren
was strong on Lieutenant Bonaparte
Hardly had he got his place in the Fourt
Regiment, at Valence, until he brok