New-York tribune., 1891-09-10
JULES GREVY.

cone of the most respected and least pop
ular of public men in France" was an English
writer's description Of Jules Greyy at the time
when he was put forward by Galnbetta as the
nominal leader Of the Republican party after
the death of Thiers. 1t was just description
then, and it might have been repeated with
almost equal propriety at any time thereafter
down to four years ago, when the statesmans
official career came to an end. BY 81 least pop
rllar" however, we must be careful to mean
nOn-popular, rather than unpopular. The lat
ter NJ Grevy never was, until his sOn-in-laW
brought pain and trouble upon him. lie simply
lacked those personal qualities of brillancy and
magnetism that everywhere, and nowhere more
than in France, cal forth the admiration and
enthusiastic love of the public. As we review
his long and labOriCus career, indeed, we lind
few achievements that even approximate to
genius. but a vast amount of painStaking and
conscientious work for the welfare of the State,
amply emitting him to the respect of his con-
temporares and TO sure and honorable place
among the rebuilders of mighty commonWea tn.
A native of the JuIa, NJ. Grcvy seemed to be
from his birth imbued with the mountaineers
spirit of liberty, and also with the unyielding
HNliN OF INc uUUnldilo lHtulStlNNo' llO h"'
always a Liberal, yet steady going and con-
servative in temperament His political career
began in 1S4S, when he was associated with
Lamartine, Arago and Louis Blanc in the found
ing of the republic on the wreck Of the Orleans
monarchy As a member and Nce-Ppsident
of the National Assembly he won especial notice
by urging a constitutional amendment abolish
ing the Presidency and veSting supreme execu-
tive power in a Council of Ministers, who might
be turned out of office at any time by vote of
the Assembly. This measure was defeated ::
but in proposing it VI. Greyy showed himself
more far-seeng than his colleagues. For had
his plan prevailed, there would have been no
Prince-P President and no Third Empire. Dur
ing the life of that republic, NJ. Greyy earnestly
resisted the designs of Louis Napoleon, but after
The coup d'etat he retired from politics for many
years, and contented himself with rising to the
leadership of the Paris Bar. In 1868 he was
called back to Parliament as the representative
of the Jura by an overwhelming majority over
the Imperial candidate and the prominence he
then attained led to his election as President OF
the Assembly at its first sitting in February,
1871, after the Empire had fallen. To that
place he was repeatedly reelected until Jan
uary 80, 1879 when the Chambers chose him
to be President of the republic in place OF Mar
Shal MacNlahon, who had resigned seven years
later he was reelected, but in December. 1887,
was compelled to resign because of the scan
dalous conduct of his sOE-in-iaw, Daniel Wilson.
| lie was plain. blunt man. of simple tastes
and domestic habits. The show and pomp Of
courts were detestabe to him. Pumes, sashes.
epaulettes, had no charm for him. Marshal
| MacMahon on Ie>igning the Presidency, petu-
| antly exclaimed: " II you want President
| in black coat, tly enc - VI. Grevy was "a
| President in a black coat.' lie even eSchewed
the red ribbon of the Legion Of Honor, and act
ualy voted on one occasion for the abolition of
| that famous order. Ii was therefore singular
manifestation of the irony of fate that his down
fall was caused by his son-in-law's tIaflicking
! in decorations and venay catering to 4 fond
ness for stars and ribbons He was thrifty and
economical, too, to such an extent that he was
called par>mOnous. But not even his bitter.
est political enemies could charge him with a
dishonesty itching palm. His integrity was al.
ways above suspicion. His amusemcnts werc
Wholesome. In town he was an invetarate
billiard player his favorite opponent being hi.
most rabid political foe, NJ Paul dc Cassagnac
In his native Jurl he was a keen sportsman and
an able agriculturist.
1t was the good fortune of NJ. GIevy to par
ticipate consDcuousy in the establishment Of