The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-09

We print this morning despatch, special to
the HERALD, to the effect that the condition of
| President Theirs justifes serious apprehen-
sions. The venerable statesman, it is said,
cannot Sleep Other than sleeplessness there
are, as yet, no definite symptoms. In ordi-
nary cases there would be small reason to
predicate serious consequences from mere in
ability to sleep, although not even in the case
| of youth and vigor can it ever be said to be
desirable symptom President Theirs case,
however, is no ordinary case. He is an old
man. In q few weeks from now he will have
reached his seventy-seventh year. Although
quite recently in vigorous health, it ought not
to be forgotten that his life has been singu-
larry active, and that his labors have been Of
such q nature as to have an exhaustive effect
on mind and body. At an age which
few men reach, at which few enjoy
mental vigor, and at which rest is
absolutely necessary, this man finds himself
in a position the cares and responsibilities
Of which are more than sufficient to tax the
strongest frame and the most vigorous intel
lect ''Kind natures sweet restorer, balmy
needful in his. If this wakefulness continues
it must hasten his end i; and it is not at all
impossible that, for the sake of prolonging his
days, he may yield to the advice of his friends
and retire from the cares of State, which, in
his case, amount to much more than the
cares of sovereignty. Things being as they
are, his death or his retirement could scarcely
fail to be a calamity to France the one or
the other might prove calamity to Europe.
We have had occasion frequently of late to
comment with freedom upon the man and his
| actions, and to question at once the wisdom of
| his policy and the sincerity of his motives.
His ability, however, we have never doubted
his patriotism is beyond question; and his
success in certain directions, as temporizing
ruler at the head Of q provisional govern
ment we have always confessed and admired.
No man ever ruled France in more difficult
circumstances; no ruler was ever more sue
cessful in keeping the factions at bay; and if
it must be admitted that he has done nothing
to make certain what is to be the future form
of government in France it must also be ad-
mtted that he has done much to preserve
France from anarchy and to restore France to
herself. After disasters unparalleled even in
the history of France, under load of debt
sufficient to stife the energies of any people,
and with the grip of the invader still on her
throat, he has been successful in restoring
order, in developing industry, in reviving
commercial prosperity, and in all but wiping
out the bill of indemnity, and SO restoring
France to herself. In another place in these
columns this morning, will be found de-
spatch from Berlin, special to the London
Times, stating ''that the Government of France
has officially given Germany financial guaran-
tees for the payment, at the designated time
of the last milliard of francs of the war in
demnity, and that negotiations between the
two governments for the entire evacuation of
French territory by German troops, at an
early day, have already been commenced"
Up to this date three and half milliards of
the indemnity have been paid. Early
in July will be paid another half milliard,
thus leaving one milliard. 1t is the desire of
the French government and it is the object
of the negotiations just alluded to, that with
the payment of the half milliard in July,
Germany will formally accept financial
guarantees for the remaining milliard, and
forthwith evacuate French territory 1t is not
impossible that these wonderful results might
have been achieved by France under another
administration than that of President Theirs
What might have been we know not what is
alone is certain. Such results have been
achieved by France under the government of
which President Theirs has been not only the
actual head, but the ruling and guiding spirit.
In giving to President Theirs the praise which
is Justly his due we are neither dispanging
other names nor robbing them of honors
which they never won. In this connection it
ought not to be forgotten that the executive
position was rather forced upon than courted
by him-that he has ruled by the power of no
military dictatorship, but because he has been
up to the present the only capable man under
whom all the factions could unite. Whether
he has, notwithstanding his many public
assertions to the contrary, been working
against the Republic and playing into the hands
Of the monarchists, is q question which it
must be left for the future to decide. Certain
it is that under him and under the name of the
Republic France has wonderfully recovered
her strength and marvellously revealed her re-
sources, as well as enjoyed an experience
which she is little likely ever to forget That
they can live and prosper without either en-
peror or king the French people ought never
again need to be told
Whatever be the estimate which differ
ent minds may form of the Presidential ca
reer of NJ Theirs, it is undeniable that his
life is still useful to his country, and that his
death or retirement at the present juncture
might lead to serious perhaps dangerous con-
sequences. 1t requires no unusual amount of