The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-04-13
CROMWELL AND NAPOLEON.
Argument that Engiishman Was by
Far the Greater Man.


Far the Greater Man.
Napoleon was n soldier by education.
Cromwell was farmer. Napoleon
found trained soldiers Mt ready hand
when his career began: Cromwell must
make his peasants Into soldiers under
FIRE. In the blaze OF battle he forged
himself and them, and. later, at odds
OF brigade against n roundhead reg.
iment, the latter moved down the
flower OF Europe.
Cromwell. In his cold, sullcn English,
had more difficult metal TO deal with
than did Napoleon. II asks no mighty
fire TO melt Frcnchman-at all times
half-solved In the heat OF his innate
hystcria. Napoleon coaxed. bribed
and dazzled as well as fought his way
The sombcr Cromwell merely lied and
fought.
Napoleon made terms with the
church; Cromwell conquered church
and nation. Napoleon would lose cour.
age and presence OF mind; Cromwell's
heart. whatever the occasion and
whether OF peril or OF safety. beat as
steady and measured as clock.
Cromwell was whatever the moment
asked. He could dissemble like a Tai.
leyrand or he could be as blum as Hen
ry VIII. He welded caution to dnr.
Ing: he could follow. policy and in
trigue like Louis XI.. or he could
charge as recklessly as any Charles OF
Burgundy--think In the saddle and
carry decision on thcpoInt OF his sword.
Cromwell knew humanity In the herd
and was great In that knowledge.
When thousands greeted his return
from Ireland, one at his elbow-a
courtier, OF coursc-congratulate him
on his popularity and the fcrvor OF his
welcome home.
More would come 10 see me hang.
Cd quoth the cloudy Cromwell, who
never forgot that 1t Is curiosity rather
than love or loyalty that makes the
reason OF every popular demonstra.
ton.
Cromwell was an expert OF the
mask; he could fclgn a feeling or pre-
tend a thought. lie calculated coldly
and never permitted fcud or the
knowledge OF anothcr's treason. In esss
or accomplished. TO prevent use OF that
man. He would pillow with the heifer
OF his foe-cvcn with the foe himself.
while the blowing plowed advantage.
He would meet folks known 10 be
false. he would seem TO give them his
confidence. he would let the nose of
venal expectation snIff reward, and he
would be the picture OF unconscious
innocence. Those false ones had been
deluded: they were In invisible irons
and always In sight.
Cromwell. better than Napoleon.
knew men: better than Napoleon he
matched each new hour ami dovctailed
with events as they bcfcil. In seem
Ing ever frank, he was as close locked
as the grave; apparently plant he was
as bendless rs the oak: never hearing.
he was all ears: never seeing. he had
the eyes OF Argus; innocent, he was q
fox OF policy; peaceful, he was ms for
midable as a bear! slow, he was "a
swift TO smlte as bolt from above:
hcsltating. he was as prompt as a
fiashlight; careless, he was as accurate
as n rapier: of things. for things and
by things political. he was never where
nor when nor what his enemies anticl-
pated. Military In his genius. he was
always pushing for the high ground:
being as selfish as military. he held,
with Thrasymachus, that Justice Ia
the interest OF the stronger.