The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-08
NAPOLEON.
Continued

STRIKING CHARACTERISTICS SELF
CONFIDENCE. BoLDNESS. IMPETUOsITY
and ENDURANCE-HIS AMBITION.
Another striking characteristic of Napo-
leon. and which contributed much to his
success, was self-confidence. He fell back
on himself in every emergency, with a
faith that was sublime. Where other men
sought counsel he communed with him
self alone, and where Kings and En-
perors called anxiously on the states
men and chieftains around their thrones
for help. he summoned to his aid his own
mighty genius.
This did not result from vanity and con-
ceit. but from the consciousness of power.
He not only took the measure and capa-
bilitieS of every man that approached him,
but he knew he saw beyond their iartheSt
vision, and hence could not but rely on
himself instead of others.
This Self-cOnfidence, which in other
men would have been downright mad
ness in him was wisdom. 1t was the
first striking trait in his character he ex-
hibited. At the siege Of Toulon, mere
boy he curled his lip at the science OF
the oldest Generals in the army and Of
fered his own plan for the reduction OF
the town with an assurance that aston
eehed them.
this sublime self-reliance utterly con-
founded the heads of the Convention. Ii
1T had ended here, it might have been
called the raShneSS and aTdor OF youth,
crowned with unexpected success. But
throughout his after career, in those long,
protracted efforts, in which intellect and
genius always triumphed, we ever find
him standing alone, calling none but
himself to his aid.
inexperienced and young, he took COM
Il Of 4lln IL 4 II
army of Italy, and instead of seeking the
advice of his Government and his Cen
erals, so that he might be screened IN case
of defeat, where defeat seemed inevitable,
he seemed to exult that he was at last
alone and almost to forget the danger
that surrounded him, in his Joy at having
q free and open field for his daring spirit. |
His fame and after fortune all rested on
his success and conduct in this outset OF
his career yet he voluntarily placed him
self in a position where the result, how
ever disastrous it might be, would be |
chargeable on him alone. He flung the
military tactics of Europe to the winds, |
and with his little band around him,
spurned both the science and the num- |
berS aTayed against him. |
THE MANNER OF A MASTER.
With the same easy confidence he
yaulted to the throne OF France, and feit |
an empire rest on his shoulders, appar- |
hooked on the revolutionary agitation, the |
orostration and confusion OF his kingdom, |
without alarm, and his eagle glance
pierced at once the length and breath anc |
depth and hight of the chaos that sur
rounded him. Yet, so natural does he |
seem in this position, that instead OF
trembling for his safety we find ourselves |
inspired by the same confidence that SuS-
tanned him, and expecting great ana gioTl- |
ous results He seems equal to anything, /
Ilp
he was a match for the world. Stern,
decided, plain, he speaks TO the King OF
England, the Emperor Of Russia, OF Aus
1ria and to all Europe in the language OF
a superior rather than of an equal:
Angry, yet alarmed at the naughty tone
of this plebeian king, the crowned heads
of Europe gathered hastily together, TO
consult what they should do: With the
same quiet confidence which he saw the
mob advancing on his batteries in the gar
den of the Tuilleries, he beheld their |
banded armies move down on his throne. !
This single man, this plebelan, STOOD up |
amid the monarchieS OF Europe, ana
bending his imperial frown on the latin
Cess kings that surrounded him, Smote |
gheir royal foreheads with blow after blow
sill the world stood aghaSt at his presump-
tion and audacity.
Their scorn of his plebeian blood gave +
way to CONSERVATION, as they saw MN
debating terms to them in their own |
Capitals, while the freedom with when ne
put his naughty foot on their sacred
meiesties filled the bosOms of their court
sers with horror. He wheeled his cannon
around their thrones with a GOODNESS and
snflexibility OF purpose that made the
dignity which doth hedge king" most
pitiful thing 10 behold. He swept, with !
his fierce chariot, through their ancient |
dynasties, crushing them out as If they /
had been bubbles in his path. Then I
proudly pausing, let them gather up the
crowns again.
RAPIDITY AND BOLDNESS.
While astonished at the holiness OF his
Eruption into Egypt, they were Listening
TO hear again the thunder OF ms guns
around the pyramids, they suddenly saw
{ his mighty army hanging along the crest
OF the Alps, and before the astonishing
vision had fairly disappeared, the sound