Worlds Best Histories - France, vol 7 | Page 3

so much pomp in words and so little efficacy in action,
could never suit the intentions or the character of General Bonaparte.
He claimed at once the position of Great Elector, which Sieyès had
perhaps secretly thought to reserve for himself.
"What!" said he, "would you want to make me a pig in a dunghill?"
Then demolishing the edifice laboriously constructed by the legislator,
"Your Great Elector is a slothful king," said he to Sieyès; "the time for
that sort of thing is past. What! appoint people to act, and not act
himself! It won't do. If I were this Great Elector I should certainly do
everything which you would desire me not to do. I should say to the
two consuls of peace and war: 'If you don't choose such and such a man,
or take such and such a measure, I shall send you about your business.'
And I would compel them to proceed according to my will. And these
two consuls? How do you think they could agree? Unity of action is
indispensable in government. Do you think that serious men would be
able to lend themselves to such shams?"
Sieyès was not fond of discussion, for which indeed he was not suited;
with the prudent sagacity which always characterized his conduct, he
recognized the inferiority of his will and his influence in comparison
with General Bonaparte. Three consuls were substituted for the Great
Elector and his two chosen subordinates equal in appearance, but
already classed according to the origin of their power. As first consul,
Bonaparte was not to be subjected to any election; he held himself as
appointed by the people. "What colleagues will they give me?" said he
bluntly to Roederer and Talleyrand who served him constantly as his
agents of communication. "Whom do you wish?" He named
Cambacérès, then minister of justice, clever and clear-sighted, of an
independent spirit joined to a docile character; and Lebrun, the former
secretary of the Chancellor Maupeou, minister for foreign affairs under

the Convention, and respected by moderate republicans. Some had
spoken of M. Daunou, honestly courageous in the worst days of the
Revolution; the clever author of the Constitution of the year III., and
whom Bonaparte had taken a malicious pleasure in entrusting with the
drawing up of the new Constitution. A certain number of voices in the
two legislative commissions had supported his name. The resolution of
M. Daunou was known; Bonaparte did not complete the counting of the
votes. "We shall do better," said he, "to keep to those whom M. Sieyès
has named." Cambacérès and Lebrun were appointed consuls. Sieyès
received from the nation a rich grant and the estate of Crosne. In
concert with Roger-Ducos and the new consuls, he formed the list of
the Senate, who immediately completed its numbers, as well as the lists
of the 300 members of the Corps Législatif, and the 100 members of
the Tribunate. Moderation presided over the composition of the lists;
Bonaparte attached no importance to them, and took no part in their
preparation. He had formed with care the Council of State, many
capable men finding a place in it. It was the instrument which the First
Consul destined for the execution of his ideas. Once only, on the 19th
Brumaire, he came for a moment into contact with the assemblies.
Henceforth he left them in the shade; all power rested in his hands.
Under the name of Republic, the accent of an absolute master
resounded already in the proclamation everywhere circulated on the
day following the formation of the new government:--
"Frenchmen,
"To render the Republic dear to citizens, respected by foreigners,
formidable to our enemies, are the obligations which we have
contracted in accepting the chief magistracy.
"It will be dear to citizens if the laws and the acts of authority bear the
impress of the spirit of order, justice and moderation.
"The Republic will be imposing to foreigners if it knows how to respect
in their independence the title of its own independence, if its
engagements, prepared with wisdom and entered upon with sincerity,
are faithfully kept.

"Lastly, it will be formidable to its enemies, if the army and navy are
made strong, and if each of its defenders finds a home in the regiment
to which he belongs, and in that home a heritage of virtue and glory; if
the officer, trained by long study, obtains by regular promotion the
recompense due to his talents and work.
"Upon these principles depend the stability of government, the success
of commerce and agriculture, the greatness and prosperity of nations.
"We have pointed out the rule, Frenchmen, by which we ought to be
judged, we have stated our duties. It will be for you to tell us whether
we have fulfilled them."
"What would