Untitled article by Max Hill

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jun 13, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 23.

SUCCESSES OF YOUNG MEN. NO. 4.

By Max Hill

FROM Alexander our thoughts go naturally to the more recent military hero, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was at the height of his power a hundred years ago, emperor of France, practically of Europe, and not yet forty years old. While there is much to condemn in his life, especially the later years, there are some things to be commended. Born in 1769 on the island of Corsica, which then belonged to France, the only claim he had to being a Frenchman (for his parents were Italian), he was placed at an early age as a sort of a charity pupil at Brienne. Here the first great trials of his life came to him, for his poverty made him the laughing stock of the other students, all better provided for than he. But he soon gave evidence of superiority, becoming a great reader and a diligent student, and on his merit was transferred to a military school in Paris at the age of fifteen. There he remained only a year when he was appointed lieutenant of artillery. During that year he was obliged to practise the greatest economy, and suffer the abuse of the other students as in the former school. But as before he worked and studied hard.

France at this time was stirred with the mutterings of a revolution which soon burst forth in fury, and Napoleon Bonaparte and his older brother Joseph took the side of popular liberty, joining with the Republican faction in the Revolution, sacrificing all and risking their lives in the cause of liberty. Their zeal for France led them on, and Napoleon especially was called to lead in different enterprises, in 1793 being made general of brigade in the artillery to protect France from threatened Austrian invasion; in 1796 taking command of the army of Italy, from which country he soon drove the Austrians. In 1798 he was in Egypt, where he entered Alexandria and Cairo, after the famous battle of the Pyramids. But at sea he was defeated, and an expedition against the Turkish army in Syria failed; soon word came that Italy was lost to France, invasion of Austrians and Russians threatened, and the government itself tottering. Leaving everything, Napoleon hastened to Paris just in time to assume control, being made dictator of France Nov. 9, 1799, at the age of thirty. Sending one army against the Austrians, he went against Italy, bringing them to speedy submission. England herself came to terms in 1802.

"Now we must rebuild, and, moreover, we must rebuild solidly," was the work, which he told his brother Lucien, lay before him. That he was a statesman as well as a soldier is evident from his success. The bank of France, an adequate system of taxation, public works of all kinds, schools, increased manufactures, all attest to his ability. England still gave trouble, breaking her treaty in 1803, and that same year, against the strong opposition of his brothers, he sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States, for he thought that by so doing he gave to the United States a power that would one day humble the pride of England.

With England the great nations of Europe, Russia, Austria, and Prussia, were united against France. These nations were incited by England to take action against her, so in order to defeat England, his greatest rival, Napoleon found it necessary to overcome these powers. In 1805 the campaign proper was begun. Gradually he pushed his way into their borders, fighting desperately, not always victorious in battle, but always successful in a campaign, by brilliant advances and brave attacks, till Austria made peace in the close of the year 1805. The next year Prussia ran to Russia for protection; but early in 1807 the indomitable warrior forced the Russians to sue for peace, and as one has expressed it, "He met the emperor of Russia and the king of Prussia, and the map of Europe was made over!"

Still he thirsted for greater conquests, but he had reached the height; the young man had accomplished more than the middle-aged man could sustain. Tho for years he kept up the struggle, the united forces of Russia, England, Prussia, Spain, and Sweden were too strong to be resisted. For a time the French were victorious, the grand army was gradually cut down, and in 1814, Paris itself capitulated. Napoleon was made ruler of the Island of Elba, where he remained less than a year, when he crossed to France with a small force, placed himself at the head of the army, and established himself as emperor, one of the most audacious events in history. But his triumph was short-lived, for the Royalists as well as the Liberals, soon regained their confidence, and the war with England was on within a few months, resulting in the complete defeat of Napoleon's last army in the battle of Waterloo, July 18, 1815. Surrendering to England he was exiled with but three companions to the Island of St. Helena, where he lived until his death in 1821.

His self-denial, his perseverance, his oneness of purpose, if placed on the side of peace, would have made him a power for good. Connected with overweening ambition, they wrought ruin to thousands and to himself. These qualities are those which every Christian young man should possess, but let him not pervert them to selfish ends.