Saint Mary's beacon., 1870-07-28
,rwo STATESMEN.

Olivier Emile Olivier, Prime Minister
GFrance under the newest imperial re-
gime Sanctioned by the Jle5ictte, is the son
of Dernosthcncs Olivier, a merchant ef
Marseilles. renowned for his eloquence
and PERSISTENT radicalsrn. lie was always
in opposition, and after the coup d. eiat
his antipa,hy to Louis Napoleon. both as
President and Emperor, was 20 unappeas-
able that he,was arrested and had TO leave
France. TO which he did not return until
IS6O His son, the object Of tais notice,
has been no less remarkable for bis adhe-
sion to the broadest democratic principles
Although under the modifying influence
Of recent concessions 10 the cause of free
dom BY tiss Ffench government he has
felt at liberty to espoase the policy of the
empire, snd fills the unsatisfactory posi-
ton Of being blamed by his old friends
for desertion, and not being implicitly
trusted by the new until more perfect ac-
aua:atancc, although it il fair to assume
that at this moment he must have the per.
sOnal confidence of the Emperor. He is
torty-6ve years of age. and was called to
the Paris bar in 1917, and in 1913 was
appointed commissary- general of the new
republic in Marscillcs His first public
duty was the repression Of the Marseillcs
riots. and :1r his frmness in the cause Of
law and order was praised by the solid
men 10 was not viewed 30 favorably by
the Reds. However, Cavaignac sustained
his action. and appointed him prcfect.-
After the fall Of the republic he retired
from politics, aud took his place again at
the bar. where his brilliant oratory soon
brought him into reputation. and he was
engaged in many suits, both political and
pecuniary, and was esteemed one of the
ornaments Of the French bar. In 1857
he was removed to the Assembly fer one
Of the electoral districts Of the Seine. In
the Chambers ne was one Of the FIVE emf
ncnt members Of The opposition, and op-
passed the Public Safety law of '5S, the
Italisn Expedition Of 80. and the control
of the Press law in 60. In 1853 NJ. Oh
livicr was reelected, and during this ses-
sion he recognized the impolicy of contia-
uous opposition to the government for
mere party purposes, and ON several oc-
casions took the side Of the Ministry when
it seemed for the public benefit that he
should do 80 This uncertain action con-
tinuei until the imperial declaration of lib
cral intentions. and the large concessions
If popular freedom determined him. and
he formally joined the imperial party. ma
king his profession Of faith and justifying
his procedure in pamphle. entitled The
10th Of January" In the following cleo
zion hs was thrown out Of his old parlia-
mcntary seat by radical opponent; but
having been nominated for another dis
trict-the Var-he was returned in that
division. He became n personage Of the
slightest Importance in the Chamber, and
the pivo. around WHICH all the parliament
tary movements of the old and new par
ties concentrated. The famous liberal re-
krms which were tc consolidate the per-
scnal and dynsstic authority Of the Empe-
ror on the basis Of enlarged popular rights.
led to the appointment Of Ministry on
the new basis of parliamentary rule and
ministerial responsibility. NJ Olivier
was the individual selected by the Empe-
rcr for this very responsible and honora-
HE post. The situation has not been
without immense difficulties. The angry
assaults Of his old comrades Of the Left
have made his premiership anything but a
bed Of roees. He has shown both indie
penaence and honorable feeling in his re-
call of Ledru Rollin. while his impartial
administration Of jrssieS was shown in the
conduct Of the PROSECUTIONS arising out Of
the vicscr Noir affair. and the popular
demonsfrstiens THAI have taken place since
his .aepcintmcnt. His first wife was
1szeks<r Of che renowned composer Lisxt;
\. sercnd. daughter cf Marscilles
ncrcAaas has made herself conspicuous
hy her saprort Of dress reform In Paris in
ecasxali<tsnrtion 70 ,he sumptaous profu-
ssoa os she Empress Eugene and the cour,
lsdisss u has been rumored. bat on very
insnlkrisn4 srpunds, that NJ. Olivier is
cppssess % the Prus>San var, and has even
haa disernsicn with the Emperor on the
-suAisss. 81 0llivier u,s suspended fcr
80 et~s exVrszuiisa Of political opinions Ia
IN 80 en- veeAerel. snd he was
eA.llkerea hs Gssnier d. CSsssgnac sr
sursninns sAss wcssded the feelings ol
60 lfA- sn71srsl cuassqusace a his