The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-21
EMILE OLIVIER.
Refusal oftthe French Academy to Re-
ceive the ROyaliSt Statesman.
The "Man with the Light Heart"-A
Paneeyrist of Napoleon III.
M. GUIzG ON THE RAMPAGE.
PARIS. March 8, 1874.

owing TO some passages IN the inaugural auuresb
or the latter which contained panegyric OF Napo-
leon Ill. The academy men have undoubtedly ex-
caeded their discretion IN declining for political
reasons to receive with the usual formalities
member Of tleir body who had been duly
elected; but al the circumstances Of this pretty
dispute are so Singular. one can say so grotesque,
that IT may be . Well to recapituate them 40 QUO.
n. EMILE OLIVIER
Is the exPrime Minister OF Napoleon ILL., who was in
Office when the franco-German war broke out, and
1t was he WHIP pronounced those ilstarred
words-"We Undertake the war with light
heart" FrenciHnen, who set great store by
words, rapturolsly cheered these at the time
they were spoken; but when the hour OF
defeat and disgrace arrived they caught them up,
tied them like milestone round the neck Of the
speaker. and irpg him out of power with them.
Since then the Eight heart" has been standing
opprobrinm andtOrment to Emile Olivier. so that
he has not dared TO show his lace among his coun-
trymen. The crater part OF the last two years he
spent in Italy. bsing beyond doubt
THE BEST CURSED FRENCHMAN AT LARGE;
the man whom, coequally with Bazane, French
mobs would have been most delighted to hang
from lampposi; yet, before all this, he mas had
MS days OF overwhelming popularity. Born at
Marsees IN 1872, he entered at the Bar as soon as
he was OF age, and rapidly distinguished himself
"
hcan principles. Though he was but twenty-three
when the revolution OF 1s4S broke out he was
appointed 10 preiectshlp by the new govern
ment, and gave such signal proofs OF ability that
when Louis N pdeon dismissed him for his liberal
zeal he was already accounted rising politician
OF the highest order. After the coup detdt OF 1851
he returned to practise at the Bar; but in 1857 he
elected to the Corps Legislatit as a republican,
and from that time till two years alter his re.
election, In 1868 he spoke up valiantiy for the
public liberties along with Jules Favre, then his
intimate friend. Suddenly, however, without APP
parent reason. rmile Olivier seeded from the
republicans and declared himself ready to support
the Emperor II the latter would embark on lib
era policy. As republican he had been i'm
mensely popular, but his ap0stasy raised great
outcry. He was reviled as renegade and hire.
ling, and 1t was reported that he had been paid for
his deserton; but NJ. olivier contended that re-
hection had convinced him II was wiser to make
the best OF the government one had than TO pin
ones faith to an ideal that could only he realized
by revolution, and there is no cause for suppos-
ing that this allegation Of his motives Is not the
correct one. In the upsbOt he spent the next five
years as neutral liberal, voting indeed, with the
republicans in favor Of all progressive bills, but
refusing to join In factlous opposition. He, IN
short, assumed the position OF man who would
be prepared to accept office so soon as the En-
peror would yield to his views, and he let himself
be taken to the Tulleries and presented to NapO-
leon III. The Emperor had not then made up his
mud to trying liberal experiment, and he was
long time making up his mind to 1t; but, finding
Olivier clever devoted and trustworthy, he at
length mustered courage to take his leap in the
dark, and on the Cd OF January 1870 dismissed
the Rouher administration and summoned Olivier
to form liberal Cabinet. 1t was under these cir
cfop fhnf tf,n Driva Mi
elected to the Academy. The enthusiasm excited
among all educated liberals by his accession 10
Office was unbounded. 1t was thought that Ma
poleon Ill. really meant to abjure despotic prac-
tees, and the politician who had converted
him to this determination received universal
honor as the shrewdest OF statesmen and patriots.
1t Is true he Was not an author, but this made
difference, for the Academy had often admitted
eminent orators into their company, and the
academictans' purpose on this occasion was TO tes-
tify their grateful homage to the man who had led
the autocrat OF 1851 into the paths OF constitution
alism. SO, with both NJ. Guizot and M. Theirs to
back him, Emile Olivier was elected by twenty
seven votes out Of twenty-eight. But here q few
particulars are necessary concerning the origin,
functions and customs Of
THE "ACADEMIE FRANCAIsE.r
This learned corporation was founded $40 years
ago by Cardinal Richceu. and consists OF forty
members. 1t was instituted to provide o literary
senate which should MAINTAIN the purity OF the
national language and also compile dictionary
to serve as a statute book OF the French tongue.
This dictionary, which has been in process of
position for nigh upon Two centuries and half,
is no further advanced than The letter G. so that
the letter can scarcely be hoped Tor till the year
210o, by which time, as most Of the words in the
earlier portion Of the work VIII have become obso-
ne tn pgin
over again; but this is not TO the point. The
Academy has always been a much respected
body, and TO belong to 1t is esteemed
the GROWING honor Of a French writer's
career The vacancies are filed up by
the academicians themselves-that IT, when
member dies his late colleagues
meet together not earlier than forty days alter his
death, and appoint him a successor, subject TO the
approval OF the Sovereign or President OF the Re-
public, as the case may be- There have been in
stances OF elections annulled by royal prerogative
as, Tor example, that Of Piron, which Louis XIV.
cancelled; but such cases are rare, and, though
the Academy has frequently marked its opposition
to different sovereigns by eiecting members avow-
edly antagonistic to the Crown, 1t has been the
practice to ratlfy such elections without protest.
NAPOLEON III.
set a, conspicuous pattern In this respect.
Throughout the Second Empire the Academy be.
came the stronghold OF the Orleanists, and its
elections were conducted much more with refer.
ence to the ant-imperialst sentiments OF the can.
ddates than with regard to their literary merits.
But the Emperor allowed the Academy iull indie
pendence, nor even uttered a word OF dspleasure
at the names submitted to him. When candi-
date has been elected he is not Immediately privi-
legged to take his seat but day is appointed for
his public reception, and he must then read an in
ausurai address recounting the life and writings
OF the member whom he has succeeded. AS this
address is expected to be carefully written
essay ample time is gwen to prepare it, the re-
ceptlon generally occurs some ten or twelve months
AFTER the election. 1t IS always very attractive
s'gnt, winch draws together crowds OF authors
noblemen and ladies OF high society. Ine member
elect arrayed in black coat. embroidered with
palm leaves, knee breeches, rufIles and sword, Is
led into the room by two Of his colleagues, who
act as sponsors; and he reads his address, which