The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1889-07-11

The following was Mr.. Fred j. Me.
Clure's address at the Commencement
.,t the HijIshO"O V1niOn Sch,u,Is.

Of the HtIIsbO"O Union Sch,Wls:
The history OF France Is distinguish.
ell from that OF other countries by its
more, numerous revolutions, riots and
civil wars. For n time one party or
one man would gain the ascendency
only to he deposed and succeeded by
another, probably his worst enemy.
The French as u people have been
des,rited as always quickly tiring of
old things and longing for new. They
quickly tire Of old governments, and
longing for n new one proceed to gain
1t even II at the expense of millions of
dollars and thousands of lives.
Cesar In his immortal work, The
Commentaries on the Gallo War, says
Of the inhabitants OF ancient France
that they were OF u natural instability
and fickleness of disposition. This
seems to have been shown fully by
events which have happened since
that time. At times France has been
at the very height of prosperity. Her
armies have been victorious almost
wherever they penetrated. Her gen.
erals seemed to have more ability than
those of the opposing army. Her SOL
iiers were better trained. The country
was well of financially. Bat suddenly
and unexpectedly reverse would
come. Everything which was before
In such state Of prosperity Is now In
corresponding state of depression.
Her armies would meet defeat where.
ever they 60. The country would be
In debt to great amount. Then when
there was more need than ever for the
united confidence and support of the
people they would break into state OF
revolt.
Thus runs the history of France.
From the highest pinnacle OF success to
the lowest depths of defeat; from a
country free from the burden of a pub.
lie debt to country burdened with a
debt so large that 1t seems 1t can never
be paid; from state of pence to state
of civil war, Of rebellion against the
ruling power, the worst position in
which country can be placed.
France remained Kingdom until
nearly the beginning of the nineteenth
century, during which time several
houses of kings have been in power.
During the Merovingian and Carlow.
ingian dynasties extending from the
fifth to the tenth centuries the country
was ruled by weak princes. These
WCtC SOhotuhtIy wal dthOuk LuCu-
selves. A notable exception to these
was Charlemagne. Next came the
Capetian dynasty, extending from the
tenth to the fourteenth century. In
the reign Of Philip Nv was created the
Third estate by means of which the
common people were to be represented
in the government along with the
mobiles and clergy, and which played
such an important part In the govern
ment In future years. Then the Valois
branch OF kings, covering space Of
time from the fourteenth almost to the
sixteenth century. During the reign
| of John an insurrectiOn OF the peasant
ry occurred, the first OF many succeed.
ing ones caused by the oppressive taxes
laid on them by the mobiles. To reduce
this insurrection the most dreadful
massacres on record. Peasants we're
slain on the streets, In their houses, or
brought from their hiding places and
| publicly shot. Next came the Valois.
| Orleans branch of kings, succeeded by
the house of Bourbons. The reigns OF
these kings were distinguished by In.
surrections against the government, by
expressions of the peasantry and by
civil wars.
France gave to our own country dur
ing her war for independence aid,
which helped US very materially In
freeing ourselves from the CALLING yoke
of England. France was at that time
under the rule of Louis XVI The
finances of the country were in such u
condition that the wheels Of govern.
ment were nearly stopped. The op.
preston of the peasantry by the king
and mobiles brings them into bad favor
and brings the lower classes of the peo.
pie to a point of resistance. They are
going to take an example from the
Americans whom they have just seen
win their independence.
These are few of the causes which
led to the great French Revolution,
about which immortal volumes have
been written. This marks an era In
the history of France, since which no
government In that country has been
other than insecure and temporary be
cause not founded on public opinion.
The people seem to want no gov
ernment at all, only submitting to II
for time as q necessity.
| No country could have gone through
the revolutions, the changes, the blood.
shed, the bitter quarrels between the
different classes of the people that
France has gone through and still
maintain such degree of prosperity.
France has not since that time been
under one government for o longer
period than six years, and during q
large part of the time discord and civil
war were the ruling factions. During
the Revolution thousands of people
were executed by means of the guillo
tine simply because they were suspect.
ed OF being in sympathy with the roy.
alists. The King was executed In the
same manner after going through the
form of q trial, In which he was proved
innocent of the charges against him
but such was the popular prejudice thai
he was condemned to death with few
\ dissenting votes; the execution of the
Queen following soon after.
Shortly after this France rose to her
greatest height as a military nation
through the ambition of the illustrious
Napoleon Bonaparte. He aspired to
conquer the world, and the French
armies under his leadership were fear
ed by every nation. Had not his