Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-08-19
NAPOLEON THE DESPOT
His Character as Shown by Other Let
tiers, Just Published

The unpublished correspondence of
Napoleon l., says the London Daily
News which has just been printed in
two volumes by Paris firm, is at
tracing wide attention. His concep-
ton of the state seems to be that of
an army, Of which he is commander in
chief. Nothing in France must be
done without his leave-not even an
opera may be brought on the stage
His philosophy may be reduced to a
few leading ideas. Newspap2: 5 must
be punished for uttering falsehoods
unless by imperial order He approves
Of plays, provided they are adapted to
Circumstances-that is to say, that
they eXtol the emperor. Apropos of
a new opera, The Death of Abel, he
writes to Mr.. De Remusat, project of
police: 81 do not approve of subjects
from holy scripture being set up on
the stage. These subjects should he
left to the church. The chamberlain
had better say this to play writer's, in
order that they may look cut for other
subjects"
The Napoleonic system was the most
systematic negation of freedom We
have seen in this country, but with it's
universal CONSUMPTION and other fea-
lures it gave the people a sort of
equality. 1t has been noticed that out
of the three watchwords of the French
evolution-''Liberte,E galite, Frater-
nr71x
French really care for. Napoleon looks
upon the postoffice as a means of in
formation for his government Wit
ness the following to Mr.. De Lavalette,
postmaster general, dated Rambouillet,
Feb. Fl, 1910: 81 request You hence
forth not to forward any letter from
Spain without first opening it. You
will make an exception for official
dispatches. You will send these let
tiers to me for inspection, except those
that are uninterestilg. My inten-
ton is that not a single letter shall
escape examination"
Napoleon, with all his genius, did
not understand that in the long run
nobody would trust secrets to the post
office but would conspire In fact, con-
spiracies became more numerous as
time went on. He writes about con-
spiracies to FOuche, Duke d'Otrante
and MINISTER of police, from Com
piegne on March 27, 1910: Many
anonymous letters have been written
tC the cardinals residing in Paris An
agitation is carried on around them
Just see to this and f1Ld out who are
the intriguers, men or women, who
write these letters and excite these old
fcCls."
His unfortunate brother, Louis Ma
pcleon, king of Holland and father Of
Napoleon III, was continually bulliei
BIZ him. Louis Napoleon tried to do his
duty toward his Dutch subjects, while
Napoleon intended he should be a
French project, as Napoleon md de-
termined to annex Holland. He was
continually finding fault with the
young king He wrote il a letter, die |
tated at Lille, May %, 1916: 81 hear
that just as you are sending me your |!
fine protestations the servants Of my j
y
intention is that the aggressors shall |
be handed over to me in order that |
may make an example Of them NJ /
Serrurier has told me how you behaved |
at the last Diplomatic reception. T.
result is will not have an ambassado. |
any more in Holland. Admiral Yer |
huel, who is in Paris, has been order |
ed to leave in twenty-four hours. I dc |
not want any more protestations OF |
devotion. i want to know whether you |
are determined to cause the ruin of |
Holls nd by your folly. I will not /
allow you to send a minister to /
Austria. l will not allow you to dis
miss the FTenchmen in your service.
The secretary Of legation, who remains
ii Holland as charge d'afaires, will I
acQuaint you with my Intentions"
There is q postscriptum in Napo- /