Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-26
Jules Favre.

Jules Claude Gabriel Favre, the dis.
tinguished French lawyer and orator,
died recently at Versailles. after a &c.
we're illness, at the age of seventy-o ne.
II. Favre was born in the intensely
Republican city OF Lyons. and was
himself an ardent, though not radical,
Republican from the very beginning Of
his career. He was in Paris when the
revolution of 1890 broke out, and took
part in it, as we'll as in an insurrection
which occurred soon after in his native
city. In 1884 he defended o number
Of political prisoners at Lyons with q
success SO marked that he was retained
the following year to defend several of
his companions in arms who were
brought to trial in Paris for completely
in the revolution. His eloquent plea
on this occasion established his reputa-
ton as one of the most brilliant and
forcible orators of the French bar,
From this time forward he found plen-
ty to do in championiug political pris.
oners, task for which his remarkable
courage and strong Republican eonvic-
tons peculiarly fitted him. and in the
management Of other causes of an un.
usually difficult or desperate character.
The revolution of 184S drew NJ. Favre
into public life. He became Chief Sec.
rotary of the Ministry of the Interior,
and represented the Department of the
Loire in the Constituent Assembly,
where he was an earnest advocate of
the admission of Louis Napoleon as a
member of the Assembly from Paris.
When, however. Napoleon became
President, Favre opposed his ambitious
projects with undaunted courage and
vehemence, and was among those who
were arrested in Paris when the coup
detat took place. He was soon re-
leased, but refused to take the oath of
allegiance to the Empire until 1853. In
that year he was elected to the Corps
Legislatif, and was obliged to waive
his scruples in order to take his seat,
For several years from this time he was
the leader of plucky little party of
five members, and by his brilliant and
vigorous warfare upon the oppressive
government of Napoleon did yeoman's
service in keeping alive the spirit of
Republican opposition to that vulgar
despotism. At that period he was at
the height of his powers as o political
orator, and was recognized a. the lead
ing Republican of France. Ho was,
however, more of an orator than
statesman, and when Theirs, and later
on Gambetta, entered the Chamber,
Favre was overshadowed by these
greater men, and forced to take less
conspicuous place in the ranks of the
opposition. But this, much to his
credit, did not in the least diminish his
devotion to the cause for which he had
so long labored. When the Empire
fell, he was made Vice.President of the
provisional Government of National
Defense and Minister of Foreign AT.
fairs. The latter position he retained
after Theirs election as o provisional
president, and took part in arranging
the treaty OF peace with Bismarck. 1t
was trying ordeal for the high.spirit-
ed and sensitive patriot, jealous Of the
honor OF his country, yet knowing that
the terrible "man of blood and iron"
had the game completely in his own
hands. It 10 possible that stronger
and more adroit diplomatiss might have
succeeded better but triumphant Bis.
marck, intent upon the humiliation Of
his PROSTATE enemy, was no easy oppo-
nent to encounter. He knew what he
wanted and was bound to have it. The
negotiations, under such circumstances,
we're naturally extremely unsatisfacto-
~ to the French people, and Favre's
popularity for time suffered consid'
cradle elimination. His services were
not forgotten, however, and in 1875,
after o retirement OF several years, he
was elected Senator from the Rhone for
six years.
In personal appearance NJ. Favre was
tall and digniied, with grave, pleas
ant face and commanding presence.
Unhappily. the high standard OF his
public character was not maintained in
private life. and in 1871. owing to q
scandal which shocked even the not too
scrupulous Parisians. he was forced to
resign his place as Foreign Secretary.
Yet, by strange contradiction OF traits.
it is said OF him that, at the height OF
his career, he renowned the skeptioal
tendencies of his early years. and be.
came warm defender OF the Christian
faith.-N. Y. Examiner and Chronicle.
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Little Duties,
A letter. carrier in one OF our large
cities, q few months ago, found on
reaching the poet-oflce, after long