The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-19

E One hundred years ago today Napo- leon opened the Corps Legislatif with an address in which he sought to se- cure the support of that body and to rally the energies of a fainting people from whose veins the last drop of blood had already been drained. 'Aa a. monarch and a father, feel what peace adds to the security of thrones and of families" declared the Elm peror. Yet, hedged in as he was by enemies, with the allies along the Rhine and the armies of Wellington and of Spain on the southern frontier, 4he Man of Destiny refused to consid- CT the honorable terms of peace of tered to him. He had crushed Europe beneath his heel before. he could do it again; so he asserted, while the deputies listened cold to the harangue, revolving n their minds the while their projects for peace at any price. And peace at any. price was Tneces- sary. New Ievfes Of troops had been ordered. but the supply had been ex- hausted '"There did not remain in France a single family that was not dn anxiety or in mourning, There was wild alarm and unrest in Paris, and while Corps Legislatif was debating the mob outside cried for peace and aread-peace and bread. ''It was a nation of harassed onlookers," said G1izot, '+who had lost all habit of talk iflg any share themselves in their own 1ot, and knew not what determination they were to desire or to dread for the terrible drama in which their liberty and national existence were at stake.''
 <The Corps Legislatif heard their monarch and father without any manifestations of enthusiasm. Their first act was to demand the restora- 41on of rights of which Napoleon had deprived them. The report of the committee on the Frankfort proposals of peace, recommending the termina- ton of the war almost any basis, drove Napoleon to wild frenzy.
 kIn dissoIving the Corps Legis1atif at the end of the month, the Emperor did not mince words. His anger was pathetic.
 "I stood in need of something to console me- almost sobbed the man who. but a few years before, had posed as a demi-god, "and you have sought to dishonor me. I was expect ing you to unite in mind and deed to drive out the foreigner, and you have bid him come Had I lost two bat tIes, it would not have done France any greater evi1.''
 In thetsheat of his very. human wrath, Napoleon descened to personal vituperations. 'fM. Laine, who drew up your report, is a worthless man, and sold to England,''S he asserted. ''M. Adaynouard Is a liar"
 How can you blame me for my 1nisfortunes?'' he pleaded tTs it by approaches that you hope to restore the glory of the throne? What is a throne? Four pieces of wood covered with a piece of velvet: everything de- bends upon him whose seat it is." Thus Napoleon's sublime egotism re- asserted itself. 'I have a title and you have none. You are only depu- ties of the departments. am be- yond reach of your decIamations Tn three months we shall have peace, or I shall be dead. Our enemies have never conquered us, nor will they now.'
 A brave prediction, but within three months peace was not achieved, nor was Napoleon dead. Instead, Paris was on the verge of surrender to the allies, and Napoleon was soon forced to accept terms that left him, not the master of an empire, not even the ruler of France, but the petty mon arch of the little island of Elba.
 s@IIOw is it your daughters have neV- !