The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-05-26

NAPOLEON, As Seen
by His Associates
HE STOPPED FOR SUCCESS
[Copyright, 1904, by G. L. Kilmer.l

NapoIeon's reflections upon this cpl
sode led to d repetition Of his fayOrite,
remark: II have been too precipitate.
The pear is not yet ripe. After ne
had reached the throne, "a wise and
moderate PLAN" says Nine. de Remu-
sat. "for comforting suitable dignit1es
upon the persons who were to sur
round the republican emperor was sub
mitted to him and CURLY dismissed as
too simple for those secret projects
which 10 enc had Defined Said Ma
poleon: There rs not sufficient display
in it. All that would not throw dust
IL the peoples eyes.
In his talks at st. Helena, reported
By his aid-de-camp, General Gour-
eand, Napoleon laid bare the secrets Of
his public policy. Speaking OF his
dreams Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in Egypt,
he said:
Had 1 stayed in the east l should
in all probability have founded an
empire. like AIcX, n:ier. l would have
resortcd to pilgrimage to Mecca and
offered prayers and made genu1iectlons
before the tomb of the prophet. But
would not have acted in u manner so
repugnant unless it was worth while"
In an animated discussion about the
policy to be followed i'll dealing with
the Spanish king, Talleyrand, according
to Nine &c I.emusat, used the term
"cowardly act"
"a cowardly act"' replied Bonaparte.
what does that matter to me: IN
II f.,H {n
nit one if it were useful to me. In
reality, there is nothing really noble
| or base in this world. | have i'll my
| character all that can contribute to Sc
cure my power and to deceive those
| who think they know me. Frankly, l
am base; essentially base. l give you
| my word that | should feel no repug-
| nance to commit what would be called
by the world Il dishonorable action.
| NV secret tendencies-which are, after
| all, those of nature, opposed to certain
affectations of greatness with which
have to adorn myself-give me Infinite
resources with which to battle every
one"
| Elsewhere Nine. de RemuSat OBJ
serves that Napoleon always put him
self forward as the ultimate aim OF
| everything.
1t is said that on starting for the
first campaign in Italy he told friend
who was editor Of newspaper: Rec
| Ollect in your accounts Of our victories
! to speak Of me. always Of me. Do you
! understand This me- was the cease
less cry of purely egoistical ambition
Quote me- Sing, praise and paint me-,
he would say to orators. to musicians
to poets and to painters. i will bu!
you at your own price. but you must
all be purchased
Recalling the political crisis in whicl
he seized the rcins of power over The
heads OF all rivals, Napoleon declared
Il listened to advice from every
body, but | only gave it in the interes
Of my own plans. l hid myself from
the people because l knew that wheI
the tilne CAME curiosity to see nj
would make them run after me. Ev
err one was taken in my tolls
| The studied UoastfulnesS and diSsim
uiation of Napoleon's bulletins from
the sea t Of war have often been pointed
out by reviewers. Upon this poin
Nine. de Remusat's editor quotes ;
note penne1 by her husband, wh'
served Napoleon i'll camp and court
Says y. de Eemusat:
"I'he emperor took the utmost licens
in composing his bulletins, seeking es
peciu!iy to eclipse all the others and t
este bIisl his own infallibility; thel
considering the kind Of effect he wish
ed to produce on foreigners and Oh tn
| public i'll France: and, lastly, having
| regard to his intentions and his goo
or Ill will toward bis lieutenants
Truth came Il long way behind a.
: these things Nothing could equal tn
surprise of his officers on reading tn
y bulletins which came back to the1
. from Paris, but they made few con
= plaints.'
Bourrienne declares that Napoleo
wrote five different bulletins on tn
- part taken By General Kellerman i
=, the battle of Marengo simply to SUI
press truth favorable to kellermal
: but not fiattering to the First Cons,
> himself GEORGE l.. KII.MER.