The National tribune., 1897-11-25
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M " M - Br j. T. HEADLEY.
IN Profusey Reproductions The Best fsHsA Pictures

| The Poles in Praga, on the other side OF
the river fortified themselves. ard planted
a hundred cannon so AS IL sweep the
bridge of the NiStula; but the indomitahle
| Russian hurled his massive columns in
such strength on the patriots that in spite
| Of their utmost endeavorS they were rolled
| back towards the river. Forced in a CON
! fused crowd on The bridge. they crushed
! the vielGing structure under their feet, and
were precipitated hoadionG into the stream.
Warsaw shrielied in GiSmay and anguish
as she saw her brave sons cut oil from her
protecting walls; the river ran blood, and
amid the flames of the burning houses, and
cries of DESPAIR, SuWarrow ragged with his
bloodhaundS amid the defenSeleSs multi
tude.
Women and children fell in the indiS
eliminate massacre, infants were carried
a bout on the points Of CosSack lanceS,
and over eleven thousand bodies were piled
in the streets of Praga, and along the bank
of the NiStula.
Warsaw fell ard Poniatowski, detected
and disheartened, went TO Vienna. The
Emperor and Empress, Paul and Gather
inc. used every endeayor 10 reconcile HIM
to their sway hut his uncle was Il iris
0ner in st. Petersburg. his family driven
from the throne. and Poland-rent asunder,
had been divided lille a carcass among wild
animals: and he wished no connection
with the doerS OF al this wrong.
His heart burning with indignation. and
his memory sill fresh with the bloody
scenes he had seen at Warsaw, he rejected
all their offers, and lived i'll retirement on
his estate.
Here he remained inactive while Europe
was shaking with battles, apparently in
different To the strife going on about him,
since Poland was no more. I'LL 1897, when
Napoleon overthrow the army o( Russia at
Friedia nd. In the treaty Of Tiisit that tol-
lowed, il was stipulated that the provinces
y. II :. Ill,
TO Poland and had since been held by
Prussia, should be formed into the luchy
Of Warsaw, and given to Tie King OF
Saxony.
MINISTER OF STATE.
This initiatory step towards wrestling
hacl: from those grasping powers their i'll.
gotten territory, aroused poniatoWSlI from
his, Indifference, and he accepted the office
of Minister OF State IN the new Duchy. He
now began 60 look on NapoleOn'S move
mentS with the deepest anXiet., and grad
uailv identified himself with his interests,
till he fell i'll he struggle to sustain his
totteTng Empire.
He felt that the only hope of his country
was in the success of the French Emperor,
and ne bent all his energies 10 secure it.;
he had faith in him, and knew IT was the
wish 81 his heart, to re-estahliSh the fallen
throne. Many Of the patriot Poles have
wronged Napoleon in condemning him Tor
will they lay their finger on the spot where
he could, without cndangering the welfare
of his own country, have emancipated
theirs?
1t required stronger hand than even his
to wreSt away the plumber the three most
powerful Governments of the Continent had
divided among themselves. 1t would have
been the cause of an endless quarrel; and
instead of struggling for France, he would
have been compelled TO devote all his
energies TO the safety and existence OF
Poland.
1t is true the Poles poured out their
blood for him like water, and glad to
scourge the nations that had trampled
them under foot. and at the same time
strike tyranny in any part of the world.
fiocked 10 his victorious standard, and
bore him triumphantly over many battle
field Their great services demanded a
great reward, and could Napoleon have
succeeded in his invasion OF Russia, they
would have had no cause TO complain of
his want Of generosity. Russia 5 share OF
Poland would certainly have been given
back TO her, and Poniatowsk knew it.