Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1894 — DUKE OF WELLINGTON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DUKE OF WELLINGTON

CAREER OF ENGLAND’S GREATEST GENERALTh. Victoria* Won by Him Confarrwd » Crown ot Glory Upon Hlj Country—Honan Without Measara Were Showered Upon Him. Napoleon’* Conqueror. The time may perhaps come when, war being a thing of the distant past, the successful general, through whose efforts a country is victorious over its enemies, will not receive the applause and praise of men. At present, however, we are far from this state, and no man now receives greater honor than he who has led a winning fight. Of men who in modern times have been thus distinguished one of the greatest was Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. Certainly he was the greatest soldier England has ever produced and one of her finest men. Arthur Wellesley was born May 1, 1769, in Ireland. From early life he was destined for the career of a soldier and was given a military education in France at the College of Angers. In 1787 he entered the English army and, a few years later, first saw actual service in the Duke of York’s

army in Holland. In 1796 he went to India with a company of soldiers under his command, where his brother, the Marquis Wellesley, arrived shortly after as Governor General. The First Victory. It was here that the young soldier won his first victory. It was during the Maharatta war, and with only a handful of men he came across a large force of the enemy. He completely overcame them, thus securing the brilliant victory of Assage. The victory of Argaum followed and the fort of Gawulghur, supposed to be almost impregnable, also capitulated to Wellesley. For this he received honors at home, was made Knight Commander of the Bath and Chief Secretary of Ireland. He also won a seat in the House of Commons and was publicly thanked by that body for his services. The next scene of this great soldier’s triumphs was Spain and Portugal, whither he went to assist in the expulsion of the French. The battles of Vimiera and Talavera freed Portugal from the French dominion and Wellesley now turned his attention to Spain. During this campaign he won the battle of Salamanca over Soult, one of his most brilliant victories, and finally pursued the French army into France. He received several titles from the English government for these victories, the last being Duke of Wellington, and large grants of money were made him. Again he was formally thanked by Parliament and it may be here noted that twelve times during his

career was this special honor paid him. As a crowning glory alter his Spanish campaign Wellington was made field marshal of England. The Field of Waterloo. In July, 1814, Wellington was appointed ambassador to France, and in that capacity went to the Congress of Vienna. While this body was sitting Napoleon escaped from Elba, and the sessions were broken up. It seemed probable that Napoleon would go to Belgium, and to this country’s defense proceeded an army under Wellington and one from Prussia under Blucher. The battles of Ligny and Quatre Bras were succeeded, June 18, TBl5, by the great engagement of Waterloo. It was undoubtedly the greatest battle in modern times. The invincible Frenchman and the undaunted Englishmen met to try contusions, and on the issue of that contest, it is not too much to say, hung the fate of the world. To recapitulate the events of that memorable day, to show how the French forces were gradually forced to yield until victory was no longer possible, would tak;e,tqp long in this, place. There was no question that the victory was in the hands of the English and Prussians, and that the French were no linger to be considered the oonquerers of the world. After the battle Wellington marched on Paris and there, at the request of the allied sovereigns, remained for three years in command of the army .of occupation. Honors without measure were showered on Wellington by the English Govern-;

ment; large (rants of money, an estate, and various high offices were presented to him, while the allied forces gave him aaedals, decorations and orders. Political Life. la 1827 Wellington’s political life In England began, and early in the following year George IV. called on him to form a ministry. Though a member of the Tory party, it was to Wellingnm’s credit that he was the first English premier to yield anything to the Liberal side The test

and corporation acts, which bore hardly against non-members of the Established Church, were repealed and the removal of Catholic disabilities, another outrageous measure, was suggested. Wellington, for all his liberalism, wohld not give his consent to reform Parliament, and this caused a strong feeling against him and he was.forced to resign. In 1834 he was again offered the premiership, but declined, though he accepted the foreign portfolio under

Sir Robert PeeL He resigned this office in a few months and henceforward took no prominent part in the civil government of the country. The rest of Wellington's life was passed less before the eyes of the people. He h*ld many distinguished posts to be sure and his advocacy of the bill repealing the corn laws in 1845 did much tp pass the measure, but still he sought privacy even more and more. September 14, 1852, he was seised by aa apoplectic fit, very suddenly, and in a few hours he was dead. All England sought to honor him in his funeral, which was a most imposing His body was carried through the London streets to St. Paul’s Cathedral and it was Interred by the side of Lord Nelson, England’s great admiral. A picture of the field of Waterloo in 4ts present state is given in this page. It has several monuments upon it, commemorative of the great battle. In the center is the Belgium Lion, 200 feet high, erected on the spot where the Prince of Orange was wounded during tbe fight It is made of metal from captured French cannon. The obelisk is erected to Hanoverian officers of the German legion and opposite to it stands a pillar in memory of Gen. Gordon, who was among the English in the battle. These latter monuments stand on the original level of the ground which has been considerably lowered that the mound of the lion may be built

THE FIELD OF WATERLOO

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

WALMER CASTLE A country house of the Duke of 'Wellington, where his death occurred.