New-York tribune., 1921-05-01

Thursday Marks the An
niversary OF Bonaparte's
Death, but His Code Still
Lives in European Laws.
"NapoIeon Sent to Save
the Nations OF the World"

ulations-and by eliminating AID adjusting,
confused enactments, brought forth the
simplifed, complete codifcation that ranks to-
day as one of the most famous collections Of
Legislative canons of conduct
So we'll did these new laws suit every re-
quirement of the French people that it
seemed but right that they should be adapted
to the requirements Of other civilized states.
Why, then, should not these varying empires
be brought into great national family of
states, each and all governed by the same
laws and each and all bound together for the
common good? Not only were the provisions
OF the code made permanent in Holland.
Spain and Italy, where the Bonapartes ruled.
but in Belgium and Portugal. the Confedera-
tom OF the Rhine and tha provinces skirtine
the borders Of these several and separate no.
Ettcal divisions. Even Prussia, Austria and
RUSSIA were invited to enter the combination
OF rule. After the famous Council at Tflxit.
when tho two empsrors, Napoleon Of the
French and Alexander Of Russia, counseled
together for three hours on q raft in the
middle of the Niemen River, while the Prus-
sian King shivered on the bank. anxiouslv
awaiting the result, the remark of Napoleon
will be remembered as the keynote Of the
conference; Let US unite our forces. unity
our laws and rule Europe
Those who see in Napoleon but self-seeye-
ing doninator will do well to remember that
ne was the great man of his time, that he was
the great general, the great lawmaker, the
great swayer Of public opinion, that he had
quleted France, developed her resorgces and
established order within her domain; that he
had ruled many minds. and had given the
electric spark to the masses and was far more
brilliant than any other Of his day; that he
had fitted France and Europe for political
self lf-government and for a real internal and
interchangeable productive life of freedom.
Also he had tried out his projects and had
found them beneficial for France. Holland
and Italy-beneficial, in fact, wherever he had
placed his family of kings. Why not simplify
the rule of all Europe and give to everv in
dividual state the same promise of union with
the foremost state-France?
The prerogatives Of Italy might differ rad
ically from the exemptions of Russia, and the
privileges awarded to Spain might not be re-
garded as equally beneficial to Holland, but
the union of these isolated and segregated
states into one body polite would have made
for power and for peace
Says Sloane: sit is not only in France, but
also in Italy, Holland, Belgium and many i'm
portant parts of Germany that the work
which Napoleon started still operates"
Georg Brandes adds, Napoleon was sent to
save the nations of the world" and Stearns
concludes, "In Napoleon the doctrine of Christ
was transferred into practical politics. "I
shall go down to posterity with my code in
my hand,' said Napoleon.
From his manuscripts found at St. Helena
the thought is given out that Napoleon even
considered his rule but a bridge to better
state of affairs-that after ALL he was but an
instrument, that his work was done and that
coming after him the world would see and
welcome the men who would perfect his plan.