The morning call., 1893-03-19
THE LATE JULES FERRY.

The death of the president of the French
Senate removes all interesting figure from
the political stage. NJ. Ferry was over so
years of age and had spent forty years in
public life. belonged to the aggressive
school. and was greatest in opposition.
He had scarcely been admitted TO the bar
when he attracted the attention of the Gov
ernment by bitter attacks on Louis Napo-
leon, and was hOnored by a Government
prosecution. He returned the compliment
by a series of articles arraigniDg the job-
berry to whlch Baron Haussman's improve
ments had given rise. No man did more to
undermine French faith i'll the Emperor's
wisdom than he. He was a thorn in the
side of Napoleon. When the Empress and
the Paris mob insisted on war with Prussia
he was one of the few VINO followed THEIRS
in opposing the enterprise. He predicted
its failure with singular foresight and ac-
curacy.
AT the time of the peace he aimed to be
mediator between Germany and France,
and at one time it seemed that he might fill
the part. for Bismarck thought we'll of him
and preferred him to any of the Frenchmen
but Theirs. But he had a hole. and a very
large hole, in his coat. There were irregu-
larities in his domestic relations which could
not well be explained away. The Emperor
of Germany was sticLler Tor propriety {:
lie would have nothing to do with Ferry.
Theirs and GreYy both desired to avail of
his abilities but the clerical element, dis
corning an enemy in him, saw to it that his
sins were laid bare, and years elapsed be-
fore public opinion would sanction his ele-
walton to power. At last, nearly twenty
years ago, lie attained his object, ard he
struck ba X at his foes by carrying through
the measure for the expulsion Of the Jesuits
from France.
just ten years ago he plunged France into
the greatest blunder Of the repub can era,
the attempt to conquer TouQuin. What tina t
has cast the republic, in lives and money,
it we're difficult to estimate. 1t has been
one OF the causes Of the heavy taxation in
France. II has demoralized the French
army by educating the soldiery to a war OF
determination. Aud the enterprise is as lar
from being in sight Of success as it was in
1888 Sooner or later the French viii have
to evacCaie Tonquin. and its name VIII
leave nothing to the French memory but a
wantOn sacrifice of blood and treasure. For
this NJ. Ferry was in Il large measure re-
spOnsible. lie had wild ida that glory
aud commercial profit were to be won by
tories Of people who were at peace with
France. And for his mistake Francs pun
ished him by steadily excluding him from
the posts for which his genius fitted him.
The other day he derived some compen-
Sation from his election to the presidency
of the Seuae. Ii Ferry had stood higher in
public estimation, this might have proved a
stepping stone to the Presidency. As it
was, it was a mere honorable retirement.
Inc French long ago decided that they could
not afford TO entrust power to the man of
Tonquin.
lie will take rank, however, in history
with Theirs. Gambetta, MacMahOn, Grevy,
FGeycin6t Carnot and others. who have I'M
dertaken TO build up Il republic out of the
ruins Of an empire. lie was thoroughly
devoted to republican principles. He was
far-sighted, daring and cear-headed. He
had eminently the courage of his convictions,
never paltered with wrong for fear If con-
sequences, never shrank from telling the
truth that was in him through cowardice or
time-seTving. II IS pitiable to observe how
the English papers and those American
papers which follow the lead of the Eng
| lish Underrate and try to belittle the gal
! liant band Of Frenchmen who are Iaboring
to demonstrate that even in the mercurial
society Of France the most complete self
| government is reconcilable with peace,
order, morality and faithful exe cution of
! the laws.