The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-22
President Thiers-The Repablic, the Besr-
hons aud the Benapartes.

and traced to him and his policy all the dis
asters which have befallen France. As We
have not the speech before US we know not by
what arguments the President made out his
| case We have no doubt, however, that M.
| Theirs made good speech, and made out not
bad case. In the course Of his speech, we
are told, the President indicated somewhat
the course pursued by Gambetta. His single
objection to Gambetta's policy was that he did
not make peace with Germany when it became
apparent that the Army of the Loire could not
possibly succeed. The President is most
anxious to have the indemnity paid to Cor
many as quickly as possible. He is not in
favor Of an income tax or the re-establishment
of any prohibitory measures. few taxes OF
simple character will, he thinks, be sufficient
to enable the government to meet all demands.
His closing sentence was worthy of the occa-
sion, and it ought to be posted on the head
quarters of every department and of every
parish throughout the country. France.
he said, "should and will derive many advan-
tages from her misfortunes."
This speech of President Theirs must be
regarded as one of the great facts of the hour.
Taken in connection with tho letter which he
has Just written to Alexandra Dumas, con-
graduating him on an article In one of the
public journals favoring the continuance Of the
republic we must admit that SO far as his
words reveal his purposes NJ. Theirs means to
give the republic a fair chance. We rejoice In
this. We had our misgivings regarding the
President. We knew from his past history
that although he had given proof Of great
ability he was one of the most supple of poll
ticians. His affection for the House of
Orleans he has never disguised; and the
speedy abrogation by the Assembly, under his
direction, of the law which kept the princes of
that house in exile naturally enough encour-
aged the thoaght that the restoration of the
heir of the Citizen King was seriously con-
templated. The reported fusion of the Bour-
bons, to many who were not new to the
study of French political parties, seemed
step in tho same direction. It must be
admitted, however, that the President, what
ever be his inner thoughts. has not since his
advent to power, uttered one word directly
discouraging to the republicans. Nay, he has
on more than one occasion pledged himself to
support the republican cause. So far honest
criticism must confess that M. Theirs has not
openly betrayed the trust reposed in him.
No man, however, knows better than the
President of the present French republic that
the situation is in the last degree critical.
The terrific storm has subsidized, but the
ark has not yet found its Ararat.
The supplementary elections now engross the
attention of the politicians, and, indeed, of the
entire population of France We know that
what remains of the Commune, that the
moderate or conservative republicans, that the
fused Bourbon or monarchical faction, and
that the Bonapartists or Imperialists, are all
busy at work, and that each party is deter
mined to express its strength through the sup
Elementary elections. We know that each is
more or less confident of success. We know,
also, that, while France awaits the result of the
supplementary elections with mingled fear
and hope, the conviction is general that the
result will be to a large extent decisive. The
Orleanists are openly in the field. The adj
herents of the house Of Bonaparte are cum
ningly pursuing their purposes. With the
exception Of Prince Napoleon, who offers him
self for Corsica, the more prominent men of
the empire stand aloof; but it is we'll known
that trusted, though less pronounced, cand-
dates are working in their interest. A report
reaches us through the independence Beige
generally well-informed paper-that q
Bonapartist Congress is to be held
on an early day at Brussels. It is
almost certain that we shall have, in a
day or two at most, a manifesto from Napoleon
himself; or from some one known to be in his
confidence On the eve of testing election
a manifesto is necessary, and the undisguised
attack made upon the imperial policy by
President Theirs renders further silence on
the part of the representatives Of the defunct
empire in the last degree dangerous. That
the empire was q failure when called upon to
measure its strength with Germany all the
world knows but surely the representatives Of
the empire have something to say for them
selves. If the speech Of N. Theirs produces
no other fruit, it will at least give keenness to
the political canvass now going on, and lend
intensity to the feel ings which will find
expression at the ballot box on the I'd Of
July.
There is no true American who does not
wish to see strong conservative republic
established in France. 1t is the form of
government which the French people have
been seeking and striving after for the last
ninety years. True, they have pursued their
purpose foolishly, blindly and sometimes
wickedly, but still they have pursued it. The
success Of the First Napoleon blinded the to
their interests put them of their guard, and led
them into depths of misery. The restoration