The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-09-08
The Successor of Theirs.


NJ. Grevy, whom Gambetta with character.
istic promptitude has chosen to fill the great
void which the death of NJ. Theirs has left in
the republican leadership is man much
after the dead statesman's own heart; incor,
ruptible, courageous, sagacious; lover Of hi:
country, an adorer OF the republic yet patient
Of events and moderate; less eloquent than
Gambetta, but more Profound less impeiu'
Gus, but more certain; lacking the self,will oil
Theirs, but possessing his fearlessness; gifted
with no such power over the people, yet en-
JOINING their confidence. He is an old man
close on his threescore and ten, but Ther:
himself was not more vigorous ten years ago
the most noble ten years of his life. The two
statesmen were alike in thus that they sprane
from the people Grevy was born in the Jura,
Of farmers, perhaps peasants. II was among
the mountains that his constitution hardened
into iron. Like Theirs, having got an educa.
ton, he went up to Paris to practice law. He
was there when the revolution of 80 broke
out, and though scarcely twenty. one he shout.
dered his musket, and was at the famous
storming ofthe Babylon barracks. He fought
It out, and when peace came, went back &c
his books. TWAS eight years before his name
began to be on peoples lips, and he had q
reputation long before he had an income. He
was still plain Grevy in '48, but when the re.
public came in he went back to Jura as Com
missioner. The people sent him to the ma
tional Assembly with sixty.6ve thousand vo.es
1t was there that Grevy first made himself
felt in French politics. Though he voted
with the Left against the Orleanists he shun
ned its socialistic tendencies, and there wa:
that frmness about his independence which
makes men respect even when they hate most
1t was he who rallied the forlorn hope when
the tenure Of the President was under discus
sion, and proposed the memorable amend
ment delegating the executive power TO Q
president of the council Of ministers ar
amendment which, bad il been adopted, woult
have effectually blocked the ruinous ambition
Of Napoleon. But it was not to be, and
Greyy again went back to his law books
| Twenty years went by. NJ. Grevy was bidin,
his time. II came in the last days of the EN-
pre. In August, 1868, Jura sent him to the
Corps I.egislatif by poll of twenty. tire,
thousand votes. Thricehe was reelected, ant
when in 1871 he took his seat in the assembly
| that was to decide the future of France, then a
the mercy of the German, it was as its president
| For two years it was his relentless NAL
let and even temper which governed thai
tumultuous assemblage, and when he retired
in April, '7S, it was with no loss of prestige
That he should now be singled out for the
honor which but the other day no less I
man than Theirs was thought worthy to wear
ia due beyond doubt to that quality of hi
craftsmanship which we have seen was it
chief characteristic-the courage of modera
ton. His name will be guaranty to France
that the wise counsels which eliminated il
the choice of NJ. Theirs are still the prevailing
influence in the Republican party. Unles
we greatly mistake the temper of the Frencl
people, the affection with which they regard
ed the illustrious dead will warm their heart
toward Grevy, and give the election into hi
hands.