The New York herald., 1879-02-05

support TO the new chief lnaSistrats, was u"upess
very much surprised when he was invited June
p ls49, to resume charge OF the Ministry OF the i-
terror. He accepted. but his tenure brief. he
being dismissed with his colleagues October 81 OF
the same year. From that time he acted decidedly
with the opposition going far as to fraternze
with the Mountain ON the question Of the revision
OF the constitution.
The coup detat of December 2. 1851, sent NJ. Du-
faure to private life, and he thereafter became an
eminent advocate at the Partisan Bar. He figured
httlo during the Empire Chosen member OF the
French Academy April 49, 1868. in place of the Due dc
Pasqnier. lie owed that distinction to his oratorical
reputation rather than to any strictly literary titles
He rapidly attained foremost place at the Paris Bar,
was chosen a member of it's council and ultimately
presided over his professional brethren with the
rank Of bdtonnier In 1858 he was defeated az can
ddate for the Corps Legisatf in the Department OF
War; At the elections of 1869 he not candidate.
but was chairman OF the committee formed at Paris
in behalf OF NJ. Thiers. and recommended his friends
to vote No at the pebiscitc of May. 1870
Elected 10 the National Assembly February s. 1871.
by five departments he took his seat for that of his
birth. and ranged himself with the Left Centre. He
had opposed the political conduct OF the Govern
ment of National Defence" and had been candidate
at Paris in opposition to the radicals NJ. Duiaure
was selected by NJ Thers his Minister Of Justice
February -. 1871. and he soon afterward became
Vice President of the Council OF Ministers. He dis
tingushed himself by the repression Of Bonapartst
intrgues. the prosecution of fraudulent army con-
tractors and the prohibition to magistrates TO take
part i'll active politics. Eciring from Office with NJ.
Theirs. May "a. 1873, he active in opposition to
the De Broglie Cabinet and took u leading par. in
forcing the passage OF tho constitutional laws of
1876 After their passage he consented to take his
ip,c Jnc tln f,;nnf
with NJ. Buffet Premier. In this heterogeneous
Cabinet he was completely out of harmony
with the plans and measures Of his col
leagues and had to make the most vigor
GUS efforts to secure the execution of the
various important measures ho had undertaken dur
ing his previous tenure of that Office III the mei,-
orable controversy between his colleagues, NJ Buffet
and Leon Say February. 1876. he took the part Of
the latter and by his rmness prevented the accept
Of the resignation rendered by that statesman.
After the consequent retreat of NJ. Buffet he became
Premier, and yanizcd the Cabinet in accord
ance with republican institutions; but i'll December
Of the year he resigned Office in consequence Of
all adverse vote of the Senate and succeeded by
Jules Simon. He reelected to the Chamber Of
Deputies February 90 1876. and in August 1876.
chosen life Senator, having been defeated in the
contest for seat in the Upper Chamber for his native
department. He was. however, chosen Councillor
General for that department in 1871 and again in
1874, and became President of that Council.
After the parliamentary coup detdt of May 16. 1877
NJ. Dufaure unceasing i'll his opposition to the
personal government OF Marshal MacMahon, and.
being endowed with great oratorical talent aud very
rough tongue. he indicted serious wounds upon the
reactonary clique which momentarily in power.
After the overwhelming victory won by the Republic
at the polls October II, 1877 and the prolonged
agony of the De Broglie-Fourtou Cabinet, NJ. Du.
faure naturally called upon in December 1877, to
terminate the crisis by forming thoroughly consti-
tutional and republican ministry. lie has filed
the post Of Premier for the past four
teen months with eminent ability and patriot
ism. has guided his country through diff
fcult crisis and after witnessing the transfer
of tho executive power to President Grevy has volun
tarly retired from his great post the plea of ad-
vancing years and OF conservative tendencies per-
hsps too pronounced for the needs Of the moment.
In the nature Of things NJ Dufaurcs present retire
ment final one; but, notwithstanding his eighty
two years. he is still vigorous and may render good
service from hts life seat in the Senate.
NJ. Dufaure has acquired large fortune in the cx-
ercise Of his profession and manages It with strict
economy Though formidable opponent of politi.
cal clericalism he is personally very religious man.
and no breath Of slander has suied his personal
integrity Though his distinguishing traits Of char
acter are most serious and scrn he is ncverhe-
less endowed with q fine vein Of humor. In one re-
spect he is unique among French statesmen. Though
the trusted Minister Of five governments he is not
even chevalier of the Legion of Honor.