New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-05

cent as journalist aud pamplbctecr. lhere
have been many instances OF statesmen over
coming natural disabilities and achieving sue
cess as orators-and Theirs was n distinguished
example of this kind. Short Of stature, insiS-
nifcant in personal bearing with thin, shrIIi
voice and IN early tendency to bombaSlic
rhetoric; with n face in which the hooked
nose pointed chin, suukcn mouth and large
protIuding eyes suggested, in his age, that oil
n snowy owl; with an utter lack of that inde-
Enable magnetism which sometimes gives
mower to all these defects, he made himself,
at the age of seventy, the one man 10 whose
voice all France listened most eagerly. Ills
speeches and addresses were models OF clear,
compact statement and unbroien logic; tie
satire in them burned like vitriol, and the
earnest protests rose even into elOquence
Theirs was never a pronounced idealist. ana
the vicissitudes of his life taught him, by de-
grees, the first virtue of a statesman-to ac-
complish what is possible of the aim by the
use of the means at hand. He grew wise, Id
eral and practical as he advanced in years,
and much that has been called change or apos-
tasy in his history was only the natural con-
sequence of this form of growth He accepted
the Republic in 1870 because he saw the I'M
possibility Of restoring order to France under
any other system; he served two years ms
President, risidy faithful to his oath, although
seeking to strengthen the Conservative section
of the party and he tacitly accepted the politi-
cal leadership in 1877, with all 1t implied,
because he appears TO have been honestly sat
isfed that the Republic alone can insure the
peace and prosperity of France for many years
to come The mass OF the people had already
recognized the mistake OF 1873, which lifted
NacNIahon into power; they remembered the
devoted pilgrimage OF Theirs to all the chief
Counts of Europe in the day of their humilia-
ton and despair; and the touching respect
with which hundreds waited daily at his door,
for the chance of silently sauting him, proves
that he had at last found the way TO THEN
hearts
There was no other man around whom all
the divisions of the Republican party in France
could be concentrated; there was 10 other
rallying cry for the people than The name OF
Thicrs. Ills death is a stunning blow, and VIII
test 10 the fullest extent tie courage, wisdom
and patience of The party. Gambetta, with all
bis evidence of moderation and prudence, can
not step into the vacant place; and NJ. GreVy,
upon whom the leaders are likely to unite, is
hardly known to the people. The shadow OF
this great loss will fall upon Che coming cleo
tions. The separate camps Of the Reaction
will seek to secure their greatest gain / ON the
inevitable depression OF the Republicans, ana
will probably develop still more acrd jealous
les among themselves. The general anxiety,
already sufficiently painful is at once doubled,
and Marshal NacMahon may henccfoHh count
ON the potent ally of Fear. If three mutually
hostile minmitics, forming collectively MI
nority, shall succeed in crashing that majority
which represents the intelligence, the progress
ard tie conscience of France, it i because
Adolphe Theirs is dead.