The National tribune., 1897-11-25

SAVE HlS tplN1h -AIt'OlN J. u
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE GRAND
DUCHY OF WARSAW JOINS NAFO-
LEON N HIS INVASION OF RUSSIA.
HIS LAST STRUGGLE At LEIPSlC.
HIS TRAGICAL DEATH AND N1FOS-
ING FUNERAL HIS CHARACTER.
introduce q short sketch of POniatowski
simply TO make the gallery Of MarShalS
complete. Though his life and battles
sxould make a volume by itself, still he
rloes not occupy a prominent part in the
history of the French Empire, nor form
one of the chief characters in the great
Napoleonic drama.
Joseph Poniatowski was born at Warsaw
in 1863 of ncblc parents. Eleven years
after his birth, i'm 177i, Stanislaus, his
uncle, assembled the throne OF Poland and
she family received the title of Prince. He
first appears on the stage of action in 1874
gust before the final partition of Poland.
This unhappy Republic, which Provi
dence from some inscrutahe designs Of
its own, has allowed 10 be trampled under
foot, and blotted out from the map Of ma
tiOnS by tyrantS, as no other country ever
before has been, was destined 10 see its
final overthrow under the brave, noble
hearted. and patriotic koSciuSko.
Divided and partitioned off in 11I2 by
the two imperial robbers who sat on the
thrones of Russia and Austria, and re
divided in 1893 by Russia ana Prussia,
the cup Of her suffering seemed full. The
royal ptundererS kept two immense armies
marching over her territory, To take care Of
the rich booty that already began to burn
in their hands: until, at length. the energy
and courage OF despair took the place of
submission, and a devoted band of patriots,
madGened by the Injustice and outrage
everywhere committed, resolved 10 save
their country, or perish in the effort.
kOsciusko, name which can never be
spoken in an American assembly without
sending thrill of emotion through every
heart, was chosen their leader. This pa
riot and warrior had Just seen band OF
heemen hurl from their neckS the yoke of
oppression which a tyrannical power had
sought 10 fastcn there and. side by side
with their chieftains. had nobly struggled
IN their cause. With Joy he had Witnessed
the triumph OF freedom on these shores,
and then when his work was done, sheathed
his sword, and with a sad heart turned his
footsteps towards unhappy Poland.
COMMANDING DIVISION.
When the war cry was shouted from the
streets of Warsaw, and he was declared
the leader of the patriots, he knew il was a
dreadful struggle in which he was to en-
gage. But he had learned from the success
of our almost hopeless struggle TO have
faith in the power OF Right; and firmly
stepped before the little band that had
nobly thrown themselves between their
country and the armies CT two powerful
despots.
Poniatowski took command of one Of the
divisions in Kosciusko's army, although in
1892 the latter served as Major-General
under him in his expedition against the
RuSsians-and during the short but san
culinary struggle that followed, exhibited
that valOr which afterwards won the high
est praise from Napoleon.
The Poles though at first successful
were finally utterly routed at Macieiowice
ard kosciusko covered with wounds was
taken prisoner poniatoWSlli then fed I'm
Warsaw. determined TO defend il 10 the
last; thither also the Russian thousands
swarmed. with the pitiless Suwarrow at
their head.