Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1901 — Napoleon •••• Statue [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Napoleon •••• Statue

Which We. a Thrown Down With Vendome Column,

(Paris Letter.) The recent finding in the Seine river of the statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, which adorned the top of the Vendome column previous to its destruction in 1871, recalls the preceding century of political vicissitudes through which France passed and the tumultuous scenes of blood and riot of the Paris commune. The history of the Ven-, dome column is coincident with this period and shows the varying mood of the French people. It is said that every change in the government of France has witnessed the raising or lowering of this historical monument. So regular.had become its destruction and subsequent upbuilding that some irreverent writers of the time suggested that it be put on a. hinge, so that the performance could be gone through more easily and cheaply. The column was first built in the Place Vendome by Napoleon in 1806. It was modeled after the column of Trajan in Rome and was 144 feet h'gh. It was covered with spiral reliefs representing scenes from the campaigns of the Corsican against the allied forces of Russia and Austria in 1805. I.SOO Banian and Austrian Cannon captured during the battles, were melted to afford material for the covering of the coluqin. On the top stood a statue of Napoleon in Roman costume. In 1814 the statue was thrown down by the royalists and a white flag-sub-stituted. This act was in retaliation for an episode which occurred during the revolution, when the equestrian statue of Henry IV., which for nearly two centuries had graced the Pont Neuf, was melted into cannon. It was the Intention of Louis XVIII. to treat the figure of Bonaparte in the same manner, and to surmount the column with another statue of Henry IV. It seems, however, that he did npt carry out his design.

When Louis Philipppe ascended the throne he caused an effigy of the Little Corporal, in great coat and three-cor-nered hat, to be substituted. This design could not have been pleasing to the Napoleonic family, for when Napoleon in. became emperor he caused it to be torn down In 1863 and substituted one designed by Dumont and which, closely resembled the first, showing the great general in the Roman dress. This remained until 1871, when the entire column was destroyed. By the Fury of the Commune. At this time people would not believe that the Communists would dare to destroy the historical monument. Thd threat to do so had been made, however, and there was great excitement in Paris. The day was appointed and crowds went to witness the proceeding. A vast multitude gathered and ropes were stretched to prevent the people getting too near the place where the column was to fall. Soldiers with guns on their shoulders patrolled the open space. The Place Vendome, where the Column stood and now stands is in one of the most fashionable, beautiful and popular sections of Paris. The proprietor of the Hotel du Rhln sought to prevent the destruction of the monument. He went to the leaders of the mob and offered them 500,000 francs if they would forego their frenzied design. They refused to listen. A scaffolding was erected and men sawed and hacked through the column near the base. Ropes were attached to the shaft and by means of' a windlass the great mass was toppled oyer. It fell with a crash and was broken into fragments. Its fall was greeted with wild cheering. At one time the excitement became so great

that a riot seemed certain, but gradually the fury of the mob subsided and the people dispersed. Until 1875 the pieces of the old column lay on the ground, dust covered and objects of curiosity to visitors. Then they were collected and again placed in position and it was believed that the statue of the Little Corporal, which Napoleon 111. had placed on top in 1863, had been restored. The recent finding in the Seine, however, proves that the present figure Is a substitute. The figure has been Intrusted to the Commission for the Preservation of Historic Relics and will no doubt be an object of much care and curiosity, for everything connected with the great Napoleon is now cherished by the French people and'held in admiration by nearly all the people of the world. It is probable that the column as it now stands will never again be torn down or defaced by an infuriated French populace. The base of the monument and the railing around it may again, in the near future, be hung with wreaths of immortelles, as they were previous to 1870. Many of the deeds and acts of Napoleon may call for condemnation, but he brought a glory to France which will forever live in,history and was one of the great characters in bringing about the governmental changes which European countries underwent during the nineteenth century. Although imperial in his ambitions he was the greatest menace to European royalty that ever appeared in political and military action. Republican France may now justly honor bls memory. He b’iilded his empire on the foundations of political freedom.

THE VENDOME COLUMN. (As It now "appears.)