The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-12-05

In Lord Rosebery's recent work on
Napoleon he says little is really known
Of the last six years OF the exiled
Emperor's life. There is reason to
believe that the thoughts of Europe's
greatest soldier turned frequently TO
the Western Republic, in whose favor
he said he "signed away an Empire"
during his exile on st. Helena. 1t is
plain from his written and spoken
words that he looked to the United
States as the most powerful future
rival OF Great Britain. There are
traces of his intention to visit this
country in many of his unpublished
manuscripts. 1t is well established
fact that the great Emperor had many
friends and ardent sympathiZers
among the French settlers both in
Canada and the United States. This
| is especially true OF the city OF New
| Orleans and the other French settle
ments of Southern Louisiana. 1t may
be possible to prove that there was a
secret rrespondence carried on be-
tween the prisoner on the lonely
Island and some of the citizens OF
New Orleans. The prominent part
| Napoleon took in the transfer OF the
Louisiana Purchase, and the coming
Exposition to celebrate the accession
of that vast territory to the United
States, have awakened new interest
! in the hero who sleeps in the beauti-
full Hotel des Invalides, in Paris. The
fact is recalled that a French citizen
| nr1oopc MnnciAnr (.irnd
built large and handsome home on
the old Street St. Louis in that city,
fitted it up elegantly and kept it ready
for the occupancy of distinguished
guest. All the older citizens Of New
Orleans will remember the house.
When NJ. Girod commenced the house
he bought a staunch ship, enlisted a
number of soldiers and sailors, and
drilled them to climb rocky escarp,
ments. Three days before this ship
was ready to sail, the news Of Napol
cons death was received at New
Orleans. The expedition of M. Girod
which was to forcibly rescue Napoleon
from his English prison on the Islano
of St. Helena, was Of course abandon
ed, and a chronic melancholy tool
possession of his energetic and de
voted champion in Louisiana.
Did the deposed Emperor know o
this effort TO free him and bring hin
to the foremost city in the great do
main his hand had signed away t.
the Western Republic? 1t is reason
able to conclude that he was informed
of this expedition and was prepared
to cooperate with his American
friends. He was comparativel,,
Young man when he died. If his lif
had been spared, and he had lande'
: in the Crescent City, he would prob
ably have made as many changes oil
the map Of the Western Hemispher
as he did on that of Europe. Tn
French Canadians. especially in Mon
. treal, Quebec, Nova Scotia, woul
have rallied to his standard. Thous
ands of French citizens OF the the
. young Republic would have done tn
same.
1t is one of the most interesting Q
the s.what might have been" ques
u , tions the world can ask.
The Louisiana Purchase Commissio
{ has an opportunity to add most al
2 tractive feature to their Exposition b
. establishing Napoleonic Museum 0
the grounds to be collected and in
. stalled by those who first suggested
L and who have access to data and ms
terial, some of which is unknown
the French people themselves.
y There was such intense excitemer
in parts Of the Louisiana Purcha'
Territory that poems and songs wei
~ written about Napoleon when h
. death occurred. Some OF these wei
= gems of their kind.
CHARLES EDWARD LLOYD.