Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-08-11
MI. Theirs.

The result of the French elections
occasioned very general surprise. 1t
was supposed that the monarchists of
every kind would show themselves to be
much more numerous. But while the
monarchial vote was small, that for GER
tain representative Republicans or Lib
erals was no less so. Victor Hugo, for
instance, was left with o very small fol-
lowing and the election showed only
this, but this must plainly, that the
government of M. Theirs is supported
by the voting population of the country.
1t can not be called therefore, Repub-
lican or a Monarchical result it is
simply Theirs result. Now M. Thiers
is probably neither rigidly Republican
nor Monarchist. He is in favor of that
system which will best keep the peace.
His political ministry was as an Orlean-
ist. Under the Republic of lS48 he was
reactionary. Under the Empire OF Louis
Napoleon he was in the opposition. He
denounced the war with Germany, and
after the fall of France at Sedan he
served automatically under the govern
ment of defense. Then followed the
surrender of Paris, and the assembly
of conservatives and, as the executive
chief he suppressed the insurrection OF
the Commune. .i-t..
Indeed, while M. Thiers is a man of
great cleverness and accomplishment,
he has never seemed to be governed by
deep convictions of any kind. He is
adroit, quick, fertile; in fact, he is of
what is distinctively called French ma
ture, but controlled by gravity and
large experience. And he occupies a
very remarkable position. A great
nation, overwhelmed in war, during
which it's government wholly disappears,
is permitted by the conqueror to elect
an Assembly to determine whether it
will make peace, and empowered to
make it, if it will. This Assembly, pure
ly provisional, except as to the specific
purpose of peace, organizes q govern
ment to hold the country together until
it can elect Constituent Assembly and
determine its future political system.
M. Thiers is placed at the head OF the
provisional organization, against which
the Commune revolts. The revolt be-
comes a serious struggle, which ends in
the victory of the professional govern
ment and an election held soon after
indicates nothing whatever but that
the majority of voters conhdes in the
government as constituted, and at the
head of which, by common consent,
stands M. Theirs. a
But this confidence, like his elevation,
represents no principle. M. Thiers is
undoubted Republican-provided
that he thinks Republic has the best
| chance; and he is a Monarchist-if he
thinks that the really strongest system.
He wants only the frmest government
which is not actually reactionary, and
he undoubted b elieves himself to be
essential to any hopeful system. He is,
therefore, virtual and absolute dicta-
tor. If he should say that in his judg-
ment it is not safe to attempt 10 elect a
Constit ltent Assembly. and to open the
whole question of political reorgination,
he would be sustained by the country
But if he discovers that there is a
strenuous and general desire to consult
the people," the judgement of the
shrewd politician will incline to an AS
sembly. No single man upon the thea
tire of the world is playing a more
important part than M. Theirs, who, it
will be marked, has now surrounded
himself with an Orleanist cabinet
Hmper'S Magazine. 80 ~.s.t