New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-10
DEFENSE OF FRENCH IMPERIALISM.

SPEECH OF NJ RoUHER IN THE FRENCH ASSEM-
BLY-HIs REPLY TO II. D'AUDIFFRET-PAs-
oUIER-THE ATTITUDE OF THE ASSEMBLY
TOWARD THE EX-MINISTER.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRlBUNEl
PARIS. May 22-"Great attraction Theater
Of Versailles First appearance since two years OF NJ
Rouherw Such is the bill, posted to the minds eye,
that has excited great interest for fortnight past M.
Rouber having announced himself fifteen days ago by
an Interpolation for preparation to meet winch Govern
ment asked fornghts delay. The occasion OF the IN
formulation was the famous discourse Of NJ dAudiret-
Pasquier on the maadministraton Of the military de-
partment under the Empire which he represented so
much OF the shame and disaster Of the last to be at
tributable Among several objects which the Interpret
liant had I'm yiew the primary ostensibe TO clear
the Empire of blame and cast 1t as much as might be on
the Government OF the 4th September since must fall
somewhere arranging that part Of 1t should fall upon
the actual Government The task was difficult one.
How NJ Rouher would undertake TO perform 1t has been
the question OF yees speculation for the last week
Some OF the various groups Of which the Assembly Is
composed solemnly discussed in whether he
should in any case be greeted with applause with
marks Of dlsapprobaton listened 10 at all. It was
decided In these different meetings. and by influential
managers OF all parties that whether he attacked this
one or made fatteng advances to that one he should
be heard throughout in disrespecul silence This more
or less formal agreement to this effect was remarkably
well observed Although partially succeeded In break
ing 1t once or twice. NJ Rouher despite several ingenious
attempts and one that was dashing utterly failed 20
provoke angry Interruptions or rouse any one party In
passionate array against any other. Once there was
low but distinguishably approving murmur from the
Center Right once and again an unruy member OF the
Extreme Right or Left betrayed all the premonitOry
symptoms of feversh explosion, but forcbly
strained by his cooler companions
The performance came OF yesterday. The early rail-
way trains Versailles were full In the body OF the
house all deputies were in their seats The galleries
were packed. NJ Theirs and Ministers were all present
NJ Rouher took the stage at about half past two and
held il for three hours. He disappointed expectation
and weared attention. That eloquence that belongs TO
generous nature growing from profound convictions
and exemplfying the higher than rhetorical law
to move you must be moved" never his. The fac
tous fervor and safely daring flights with which he
used to decorate his decamaory peroratons before the
Corps Legtslatif In triumphant faith Of their predes
nate applause and votes become worthless stage
properties for him in the Versailles theater. Anything
like the sonorous "Jdmdisl jamds !" with which he
refounded the temporal power OF the Pope the
lasting rock OF NapoleoncFrench protection, or Ike
that housekeeping pomp Of phrase with which he
heraded 1.-The evertriumphal progress Of France last
Monday, would have interrupted the conspiracy Of
silence with loud hooking laughter.
NJ Rouher, without scintila Of genius has an aver
age dose Of TACT and than average Of talent,
with clear intellect cool head perfect control OF such
stock OF feeling he may have in him. great capacity
for head work. large experience of affairs and the cultured
diaectc of.a pracced lawyer Considering the complex
of the casesthe one he is personally in and
the uncommony hard at Chselhurst OF which he is
the advocate oYdinary-hs speech yesterday was cred
table to his ability. The audience was VIGOROUSLY
friendly but frgdy civil, prudently ret1sing him the
chance Of putlng them In the wrong W setting them