The National tribune., 1898-05-19

for king, and was worthless in the Cab
net. The diplomacy of a battlefield h
understood, and the management of 1000
cavalry was an easier thing than thu
superintendent of a province. Strength
| of resolution courage, and military Skill
he was not wanting in, while in the quail
ties necessary to the administration OF I
Government, he was utterly deficient. HI
was conscious of his inferiority here, AM
| knew that his imperial brotheT-in-law, WIN
gazed on him in admiration, almost in awe
in the midst of battle, made sport OF hin
as king.
These things, together with some unsuc
ceSSful efforts of his own, exaSperated hln
to such a degree that he became sick an1
irresolute. Four years of his life passed
away in comparative idleness, and 1T was
only the extensive preparations OF Napo
leon in 1912 to invade Russia, that rouseo
him to be his former self.
| Bonaparte'S treatment OF him while oc-
cupying his throne at Naples, together
with some things that transpired In the
| Russian campaign, conspired to emblttel
! Murat's feelings towards his imper1ous
brother-in law; for his affection, which
| till that time was unwavering, began then
| to vacillate.
! 1t is probable that it had been more than
limited to him by the Emperor that he in
tended to deprive him of his crown. At
| least, not long after BOnaparte lett the
wreck of the grand army in it's retreat from
Russia in his hands, he abandoned his
post, and travelled night and day till he
reached Naples. 1t is also said by an
acquaintance of Murat, that Bonaparte,
at the birth Of the young Duke OF Parma,
announced to the King of Naples, who had
come to Paris to congratulate him, that ne
must lay down his crown.
AIurat asked to be allowed to give his
reply the next morning, but no sooner was
he out of the EmperorS presence than he
mounted his horse and started for his
kingdom He rode night and day TIL he
reached Naples, where he Immediately set
on foot preparations for the defense OF his
throne.
Being summoned anew by Marshal OF
France, sent to him for that purpose, to
give up his scepter, he replied: GO, tell
your master to come and take it, and he
shall find how well co., 900 men can defend
it"
NEGOTIATES WITH ALLIED POWERS.
Rather than come to open conflict with
one of his bravcSt Generals, he abandoned
the project, and let Murat occupy his
throne. If this be true it accounts for the
estrangement and final desertion OF Ma
poleon by his brother-in-iaw.
Sill, in Napoleon last struggle for his
throne on the plains OF Germany, Murat
fought nobly for him, and helped to gain
the battle OF Dresden, and chased Butcher
over the Elbe. But after the disastrous
battle of Leipsic, he returned to Naples
and Immediately entered into negotiations
with the allied powers, and in this act
sullied forever his fame.
In 1914 he concluded a treaty with
Austria by which he was to retain his
crown on the condition he would furnish
30 900 troops for the common cause. Bona
parte could not at first credit this detection
of the husband of his sister, and wrote to
him twice on the subject. These letters
show that Murat was playing double
game and cndeavo-ing, in the uncertainty
OF things, TO secure his throne.
In his first letter Napoleon says you
are a good soldier on the field of battle,
but, excepting there, you have no vigor
and no character. Take advantage OF an
act of treachery, therefore, which | at
tribute only To fear. in order to serve me by
useful information. | rely upon your in
tentiOnS, upon your promises. l suppose
you are one of those who imagine the lion
is dead; If such are your calculations, they
are false. The title Of King has
turned your head. If you wish to preserve
the power, behave right and keep your
word
The second commences, "Sir my brother
have already communicated to you my
opinion OF your conduct Your situation
finished you. You have surrounded your
self with men who hate France, and who
wish to ruin you. What you wrote To me
is at variance with your actions. ] shall,
however, see by your behavior at Ancona
if your heart be still French, and if you
yield to necessity alone. Recollect that
your kingdom, which has cost so much
blood and trouble to France, is yours only
for the benefit OF those who gave it you
Remember that / have made you
King solely for the interest OF my system"
The truth is, Bonaparte tampcred with
the affection Of Murat The latter had so
often yielded TO him on points where they
differed and had followed him through his
wondrouS career with such constant de
votion, that Napoleon believed he could
twist him round his finger IS he liked and
became reckless Of his FEELINGS But he
found the intrepid soldier could be trifed
with too far, and came to his senses barely
in tlme TO prevent an utter enhancement.
Shortly after, Napoleon abdicated and
was sent To Elba. But before the different
allied powers had decided whether they
should allow Nurat 10 retain his throne,
Europe was thrown into Consideration by
TIC announcement that Bonaparte was