The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-30
CHAPTER VI.


HIS CIIARACTER-BOLDL PuRSUED
FAME-HOW lie OBTAINED HIS TITLE
OF PRINCE-DATILE OF AUER-
STADT.
II is hard TO form a correct opinion OF
such a man as DaNouSt. The otloquy
that IS thrown upon him, especially by
English historians has a tendency to &c
strov our sympathy for him at the outset,
and distorts the medium through which
we ever after contemplate him. Positive
i'm all his acts and naturally nj a stern
and fierce temperament, he did things IN d
way, and with directneSs, and an a orupl-
ness. that indicated harsh and unieeIIiS
nature.
ltut Is we Judge Of men by their actions,
and not also by the motives when
prompted them, we shall be compelled 10
REGARD the Duke of Wellington as one 81
the most cruel OF men. His whole poitlcai
course in Encland-his steady opposition
to all reform-his harsh treatment % the
natitions Of the poor and helpless, and
heartless indifference To the cries "i lam
fishing thousands, argue the most caHouS
and Implying nature
liut his actions though causing so
much suffering. and awakening 50 much
indignation that even his house was MOO
bed bv his own countrynen and ms gray
hairs narrowly escaped being trampled III
The dust bv an indignant poruiace-haNe
all s1runc from his education as military
man.
Iverv thing must bend 10 the established
order If things, and the suffering of mdl-
viduals s not TO he taken into the account
The same is true of DaVouSt. framed
from his youth to the profession OF arms,
accustomed even in his boyhood, to scenes
of revolutionary Violence-wlth all MS
rno-al feelings educated annie the Gproar ol
battle or the corruptionS oil cainn-tne
life OF the warrior was to hln the 'rue NE
OF man.
Success. victory. mere the only objects
he contemplated making up his MIND
beforehand that suffering and death Woaid
attend the means employed. Hence MS
fearful ferocitv in battle-the Eeadlong
fury with which he tore through the ranks
OF the enemy, and the unscrupulouS man
ner i'm which he made war support war.
These were the natural results OF ms
firm resolution to conquer, and OF ms
military creed that Ito the victoTs belong
the spoils" He did nothing by halves,
nor had he anything OF the "suaviter IN
nodo" which CLOSES over So many rough
deeds and CONVEYS the impression they
were done from necessity, rather than de-
sire.
BORN A NOBLE.
Louis Nicholas Davoust was born at An
raux, IN Burgundy, 10Th OF May, 1110; one
year after Bonaparte. His family coulc
Law claim 60 the title OF Noble, though, Ike
many Italian cavaliers who are too poor I"
own a horse. it was destitute of lands or
houses Young Davocst being destined
for the army was sent TO the military
school OF Brienne, where was also the
Z. xharity boy Ronaparte.
At lineage OF Is, he obtained a commits
sion: but his fiery, inpetuous nature soon
involved him in difficulty with his superior
officers. and ii was taken from HIM. In
the Revolution he became a fierce republl-
can. and after the death OF Louis was APP
pointed over a battalion of volunteers, and
was sent to Join Doumourier: then com
- saaadi.ag tlae army Of the Republic on the
Rhine,
When Doumourier disguised with the
increasing horrors OF the Revolution-er-
deavored TO win the army over, to march
against the Terrorists, tie young Davousi
used his utmsot endeavOrs 10 steady the
shaking fidelity OF the trooas. DoumOur-
Ter was finally compelled la flee to the
Austrians, almost alone; and Davoust fol
his efforts and faithfulness, was promoted
Ia the rank 81 Brieadier- General, and dur
ing FIVE years fought bravely on the banks
OF the Rhine and Moselle.
When RoDaparte returned from Italy
where he had covered himself and the
army with glory, Davoust sought to unite
his fortunes with those II the Young Cor
sican. lie was conse Iuentlv Joined e. the
expedition 70 Egypt, and under the walls o.
SaDlanhout and Aboulsir fought with BRAY
cry that showed he was worthy of the