New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-15
,oork. Why has this law been openly,
AaSrantly. continuously defied
N THJERS AND THE REPUBLTC.

NJ THEIRS And THE REPUBLIC.
The Message of NJ. Theirs TO the National
Assembly marks the rapid progress which tho
veteran statesman has made in tho last year.
Ii is not often that man of his age is able
to see the other side of question upon which
he has had welldefned opinions all his life.
N. Theirs has never been anything but
constitutional monarchist. A country under
the rule of "a written constitution, with legisla-
tive bodies under certain wholesome restrictions,
elderly and respectable ministers to carry on
affairs, under the comforting and dignfyiDg
patronage of King who shall reign and not
govern, this has always been his ideal of the per
feet State. But the Empire and its impossible
head made him a leader OF tho Liberal oppo-
siti0n. When the Revolution of September
destroyed the Empire, he was the most avalla-
BILE statesman whom the young Republic
could lay its hands upon. He was too patrl-
otto and too fond of work TO refuse the ar
duOus task the new government offered nm
and so started, full of energy and zeal, upon
that circular mission in which he worked so
hard and accomplished so little When the
Assembly came together elected under
those peculiar circumstances of panic and
advantage to property and local in
fluence, the only man indicated for the head
of the Executive Power was still this able and
eminent statesman whom many of the Depu-
ties had met and known in the Cabinets and
the Parliaments of the Burgher- Monarchy OF
July.
1t is well known that at that moment and
long afterward NJ. Theirs had, and pretended
to have, no love for the Republic, and no
confidence in it as u government for the
French. His dream was still sort of Partisan
England, monarchy limited by Constitu-
| ton which he should frame, and presided
over by one of his favoritc Orleans
princes. Only few months ago, when
he dismissed the Assembly for their va
cations, he plainly intimated to them
that they could not pass their leisure better
than in thinking whether it were not advisable
after all to go back to the old dynasty under
which France had been happy and glorious
for so many ages. But by gradual stages he
has been brought up to the Republic. Every
successive day has forced more and
more clearly upon his mind the
fact that the Republic, so far from being a
hazardous or unquiet form of Government, was
lished and sustained. 1t was not weak, for it
had quclled the Commune. II was not disturb
ing to values for the country rose to the work of
paying the debt in style never equaled 10y the
monarchy. 1t was not turbulent, for the
public peace was never more assured. 1t
is possible, as the uncharitable assert
that the consideration that Monsieur Ad0lphe
Theirs was President of the Republic and could
not be King may have had its weight in his
conversion but il is not necessary to as
sign any selfish reasons TO account for
his frank and cordial acceptance of
the Republic as permanence. He
repeats in his message the assurance he
gave the Permanent Committee several
weeks ago. Events he says, have given them
the Republic The Republic exists as the legal
Government. An attempt at any different form
Of government would lead to the most terrible
revolution. These statements are evident
that they sound like truisms; but, coming
from NJ. Theirs, they have profound signif-
canoe and value.
They appear TO have been already accepted
as q challenge by the Conservatives OF the
Assembly. who have seen, with something
like dismay the gradual progress of their
chosen leader into a. wider and higher field
than they choose to fellow him in. 1t is re-
ported that the Right and Right Center, feel
ing the imminent peril of the permanent es-
Enlistment of Republican principles in the
laws and institutions of the country, have
formed strict coalition to prevent it. They
have given notice to NJ. Theirs that he can
expect no further allegiance from them, unless
he gives them satisfactory guarantees. This
is merely fastening the consummation which
they desire to avoid. This defiant attitude of
the Conservatives on one side VIII be as
effective as the speeches of NJ. Gambetta on
the other, to keep the sagacious and persist |
ent President in the straight path he appears
TO have marked out for himself, and which |
leads directly to the Republic of order and of
law.