The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-07
FLORA FEEDER.
SILVER MEDAL, CLASS 1.

Greatness Is to he measured In pro-
portion to the good 1t has given man. In
considering this q mans intentions are
OF small value. 1t Is the CONSEQUENCES
OF his actions that are judged. Regard
Ing Napoleon from this view ] deem
him the greatest man of modern times.
Napoleon's greatness falls into Two
classes. namely his contribution to his
own country and his foreign reforms
Upon viewing the former we find that
he contributed much to Frances civil,
educational ana material welfare. He
came to a land with no stable in
'titutions, torn asunder by religious
factions. while the heads OF the Di-
| .ectory controlled France with a des-
vutic hand. The mob was riotous. Franco
was threatened by IA strong coalition
without as well as a reactionary force
from within. What situation needed a
stronger hand?
AT glance Napoleon perceived her
need. BY defeating the coalitions he
prevented France from being seized by
he external Powers; by inviting back
the exiled emigres he brought greater
unity into France; by FORMING Il con-
cordat with the church he did away
with religious hostilities. He also re-
paired and constructed roads. bridges
and canals. as well as improved her sea-
ports and opened rivers to navigation.
Who that visits France Is not lmme-
diately impressed by her architecture
memorial arches and beautiful build
ings? All this is Napoleonic Who does
rot admire her museums. art galleries,
l'brarie5 and universities? All this IL
Napoeonic. Into his civil code he wove
az the PRINCIPLES fosrered by the Revo-
luton. namely equality before the law,
for the peasant and the prince. BY
the creation of a Legion OF Honor he
nlaced reward upon merit. So you see
that Napoleon improved France in the
civil material. religious and educational
realm. This alone seems a titanic task
for one man. Yet this was only his do
nestle policy. In Italy. by establishing
numerous republics and introducing into
these all his reforms. he planted the
germ. of liberty. which later was to
spring forth In all its glory. True. he
later converted these republics into
monarchies and checked every impulse
for self-expression. Yet were II not
for the suppression OF the mobiles. for
the awakening OF Italian liberty Italys
unification would not have been effected
so easily even by the gigantic efforts
spark. which but few years later
viazed forth under the guidance Of u
Cavour and the inspiration OF a MAJ
zni.
In Germany he laid the foundation
OF nationalism by creating forty States
from 800 petty principalities Bv intro
duclng his reforms into Germany he
prepared her for her future struggle
for liberty. BY abo.ishing the Holy
Roman Empire he placed Germany once
and for all upon modern basis.
In Sweden. Holland and Poland he
also introduced his reforms.
As for the Congress OF Vienna. which
my opponents may bring up, will say:
Let them look further and they will see
his planted seeds b.ossomlng forth in
Germany and Italy's unifcstion. In
Frances prominence in the world Of
arts and sciences.
Therefore since he placed all Europe
on modern basis by destroying the
Holy Roman Empire. by introducing his
reforms into all Countries since he gave
the impetus to Italian and German
unity and gave France an eminent posi-
ZION in the world OF arts and sciences.
| conclude. that Napoleon was the
greatest man Of modern times.