Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-07-05
LEGION OF HONOR ! !,
The Order That Was Founded by
the Great Napoleon.
THRIvED DESPITE RIDIcuLE.

THRIvED DESPITE RIDICULE.
Tho Despotio corsiean Proved by the
Inauguration Of tho Decoration That
He Was . Keen Student Of French
Human Mature.
France owes the Legion Of Honor to
Napoleon. All orders Of chivalry had
been abolished by the revolution and
had left gap which it was not easy
to I'll. They are mere geegaws," said
Monge. the chemist. who had taught
the revolutionists how to make gun
powder out Of plaster Of paris. Gee
gaws. If you WILL" the first consul an
swered. but people like them. Let US
approach the question frankly. All
men are enamored Of decorations.
the French more than any. They posi-
lively hunger for them. and they have
always done So"
This was at Malmaison in 1902. In
May the conseil d'etat was invited to
consider the project Of the institution
Of the Legion~ onor. 1t was ridi-
culed BY many. ue> Ably by Moreau.
who as victor Of Hohenlinden was Bit
terly jealous Of the victor Of Marengo.
At a dinner party he sent for his cook
and said to him in the presence Of his
guests: michel. am pleased with
your dinner. You have indeed distin-
guished yourself. will award you a
saucepan Of honor" Nine. de Stael
was also satiricai upon the subject.
"Ah. one Of the decorated:" she used
to ask each guest who was shown into
her salon.
But Napoleon had gagged human ma
ture correctly. His Legion OF Honor
did meet a felt want. and 1t was def
nitely inaugurated on July IA, 1904.
Among the eminent men Of science
and men of letters on whom 1t was
then bestowed were included Laplace.
the mathematician; Lalande, the as
tronomer: Culver. the naturalist, and
Legouve. the poet. The most notable
name omitted was that Of Bernardtn
de st. Pierre, just then In disgrace for
Mime. de Stael. whom Ma
poieon had banished, but be got the
decoration later on the enheaty OF
Queen Hortense.
After Napoleon's downfall the ques-
ton of suppressing the Legion Of Hon
or arose. Chateaubriand, whom Napo-
leon had not decorated. strongly urged
its abolition. So did Puzzo ID Borgo.
Marshals Victor. Marmont and Mae
donald opposed. After debate It was
decided to recognize and retain tho Or
der. not on any high moral or patriotic
grounds. but because Louis XVIII.
could not afford to Rate himself moro
unpopular than he was already by
people Of their decoratdons.
Chatea ubriAnd and Lamartine consent
ed to accept the red ribbon. but 1t was
also conferred upon great number OF
worthless personages and 80 brought
into contempt
There have been many Legion of
Honor scandals since those days. but
one Of them surpasses all the others in
This is, Of course. the
Wilson scandal. the history Of which.
though intricate is worth recalling.
The trouble may be said to have be-
Grevy fell in love with an opera singer
who need not be mentioned here. He
to marry her. and she wanted
to marry him. and the papers were be-
ginning to couple the two names In
manner most embarrassing to the pres
ldent Of the republic. The president.
however. sent the opera singer about
his business and found his daughter
another husband. not very good hus-
band. but the best husband he could
procure on the spur Of the moment
His choice fell upon NJ. Daniel Wilson.
who had long been one Of NJ. Crews
political supporters and was fnancter
Of some mark.
No sooner was Nj. Wilson establish
ed at the Elysee than he proceeded to
enrich himself by various means.
Among other things he founded pa
per called lie Moniteur de 'Exposition
which really covered q
traffic in decorations. The whole story
came out In q state trial toward the
end Of 1887. 1t was proved that VIII
sou had made irregular practice OF
selling the Legion Of Honor. or. rather.
Of inviting people who wanted 1t to
bride him to use his influence to obtain
1t for them. His Overtures were pre-
sented through his jackals. Generals
d Audlan and Cafferel and Mines. L.
ana Ratazzi. and the whole
party had 70 stand in the dock to-
gether.
Wilson was sentenced to two years
fine of 5000 francs
and five years deprivation Of civil
rights he appealed. and the court Of
annulled the judgment The
accused. said the judges. was obvious.
~ guilty Of everything that be was
charged with. but as his offenses were