The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-09-11
THEIRS.

France has lost its great man, It's
/ common people their idol, and the old
world its most notable statesman NJ.
/ Louis Adolphe Theirs is reported TO
have died suddenly and Unexpectedly,
last evening, at St. German. For over
half "A century he has played a remar-
kable part IN French politics, ooloring
/ its literature with his opinions; assist
! ing 10 make and break governments,
and finally appearing as the savior OF
his country when foreign armies thun-
dered TRUMP Lhantly at the gates Of Par
is aud anarchy reigned within.
He was an old man in years. being
born at Marseilles in 1877; but thG
world has always thought him young
from the vitality which he infused into
all his public measures, aud from the
activity with which be prosecuted his
political career. NJ. Theirs was educa-
ted for lawyer. and vas admitted 10
practice at the bar OF Marseilles, in
1918 His ambition tor 4 literary aud
political career carried him in 1921 10
Paris, where his writings, which COM
prised finished essays and criticisms,
brought him TO acquaintanceship with
tho leading political agitators Of the
day. He found time, nevertheless, 10
perform purely literary work and 10
achieve grand success IN his History
Of the French Revolution. This
work was prepared aud published in
ten volumes. between the years 1923
and lS27, and gave hIm immense popu-
larityin France. Political honors came
TO him with astonishing rapidity Of
succession. The revolution OF 1880.
which closed the weak reign OF Charles
X, brought Theirs to the front, aud In
his journal, the National. he bitterly
opposed the unconstitutional reign Of
that monarch, and opened the way TO
preferment under Louis Philippe, re-
ceiving an Office IN the Department Of
Finance. Soon after be was elected "a
member Of the Chamber OF Deputies.
Later, in 1892. lie became Minister Of
the Interior, left 10 soon after for an
other department and returned 10 it in
1888. In January, 1898, he resigned,
but the next month found him Prime
Minister aud Minister OF Foreign At
fairs, from which positions be with
drew in August of the same year, ia
consequence Of disagreement with the
policy Of the King. The history OF
France during this continuance iu Of
Ace was a narrative Of dangers srompt.
ly encountered and ably overcome
Again in 1910 he returned 30 public
life and service as Prime Minister, hold
ing t!.S position from March until Oc-
tober, III he resigned because the
King C.,pGsed Q his warl.ke purposes
arising i'm the secret settlement by
Russia, England, Austria and Prussia
OF the difficulties between the Porte
aud Mehemet Ali, France having been
the latter's friend Ia the controversy
For several years after this retirement
VI. Thisrs was busted with travels up
on the Continent preparing material
for his History Of the Consulate and
the Empire. He returned, however,
TO the Chamber Of Deputies inst be-
fore the overthrow OF the King and
vigorously opposed Guizots foreign
policy. When the revolution of ls4s
came he was soldier IN the National
Guard, but he was elected O member
Of the Constitutional aud National AS
semblies, accepted tho republic and vo-
ted for the Presidency OF Louis NapO-
leon, opposed him when the empire be-
gan 30 bud upon the republic. and was
banishea therefor in 1852. This ban
ishment was for only brief period,
FOR eight months afterwards lie return
ed to Paris, where he lived very quiet
~, devoting himself until 1853, when
be again entered the Chambers, 10 his
love for literature aid the fine arts -
The part be thea played VIM rns~.erly.
He bitterly opposed the Italian and
Mexican wars, aud was one Of the very
few men who condemned the declara-
ton Of war against Prussia in 1870,
which ended IN the destruction Of the
Empire. After that the man was
miracle He began 10 save and restore
his unhappy country. He sought the
Intervention Of the Great Powers 20
secure peace, aud opened the negotia-
tons with Bismarck for Rn armIstice.
After il was concluded, aud Paris had
capitulated, he was made, first, mem
Der OF the National Assembly, then
President Of the Republic. Inen fol-
lowed the suppression Of the Commune
aud the restoration Of peace and order.
In 1873 his failure in the Legislature
10 consolidate the CONSERVATIVE Re
public" led him 10 resign, since which
time hc has lived in glorious retiracy.
What NJ Thiers has accomplished
for his country, what he has suffered
for 1t, made him the great man Of
France. lie was adored by the pops
lace. Who realized how much he had
been 10 them His death deprives
MacMahon Of his most formidably all
yersary, aud robs the nation Il It's
greatest statesman and one Of its rip
est scholars: For fity-six years he has
been part Of the nations history,
and 10 him, notwithstanding all his er-
rors, France owes more than 20 any
King or Emperor who has ruled her
neople.-f Chicago Post.