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Editorial
May 7, 1823
The Massachusetts Spy
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
The editorial critiques reflections from the Hampden Journal on O'Meara's 'Voice from St. Helena,' arguing that Napoleon's character should be judged by his oppressive actions and crimes, not his self-explanations or sympathy for his downfall.
Merged-components note: Continuation of local editorial on Napoleon's character from page 2 to page 3; original label of second component changed from 'story' to 'editorial' to match dominant content
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WORCESTER,
Wednesday, May 7, 1823.
Character of Buonaparte.—We have copied from the Hampden Journal some very judicious and spirited reflections upon O'Meara's "Voice from St. Helena," a publication extensively read, and designed to reverse the judgment long since passed by the world upon the character of Napoleon.
It is not the least remarkable of the wonders of the day that a publication, containing Bonaparte's own comments upon his actions, and his own explanation of his motives, should have satisfied many, as it seems to have done, that his character has been judged unjustly by his conduct! It seems that a better criterion of character is established.—What a man chooses to say of himself, especially a man labouring under the worst imputations, is better evidence than the unvarying conduct of a long career of oppression and crime! The truth is, that sympathy for sufferings, (whether inevitable or needlessly caused,) has blinded judgment.
"The Desolator, desolate,
The Victor, overthrown,
The Arbiter of others' fate,
A suppliant for his own"
is a spectacle which few can behold without danger of forgetting the crimes which have led to the tremendous retribution. But the distinction between good and evil ought not to be swept away by a flood of commiseration; and the welfare of the world requires
that the character of Napoleon should be judged by what he has done, and not by what he may have suffered.
Wednesday, May 7, 1823.
Character of Buonaparte.—We have copied from the Hampden Journal some very judicious and spirited reflections upon O'Meara's "Voice from St. Helena," a publication extensively read, and designed to reverse the judgment long since passed by the world upon the character of Napoleon.
It is not the least remarkable of the wonders of the day that a publication, containing Bonaparte's own comments upon his actions, and his own explanation of his motives, should have satisfied many, as it seems to have done, that his character has been judged unjustly by his conduct! It seems that a better criterion of character is established.—What a man chooses to say of himself, especially a man labouring under the worst imputations, is better evidence than the unvarying conduct of a long career of oppression and crime! The truth is, that sympathy for sufferings, (whether inevitable or needlessly caused,) has blinded judgment.
"The Desolator, desolate,
The Victor, overthrown,
The Arbiter of others' fate,
A suppliant for his own"
is a spectacle which few can behold without danger of forgetting the crimes which have led to the tremendous retribution. But the distinction between good and evil ought not to be swept away by a flood of commiseration; and the welfare of the world requires
that the character of Napoleon should be judged by what he has done, and not by what he may have suffered.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Foreign Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Napoleon Bonaparte
Character Judgment
Voice From St Helena
O'meara
Oppression
Crime
Sympathy
Moral Retribution
What entities or persons were involved?
Napoleon Bonaparte
O'meara
Hampden Journal
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Judgment Of Napoleon Bonaparte's Character
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Napoleon's Rehabilitation
Key Figures
Napoleon Bonaparte
O'meara
Hampden Journal
Key Arguments
Publication Of Bonaparte's Comments Seeks To Reverse World's Judgment On His Character
Self Explanations Are Inferior To Evidence From Conduct Of Oppression And Crime
Sympathy For Sufferings Blinds Judgment Of Crimes
Character Should Be Judged By Actions Done, Not Sufferings Endured