Year: 1875




The London Times Of September has article on
the foregoing interview Of which the following is
summary


On the exquisite shores OF the Lake Of Geneva NJ
Theirs enjoying not only the physical refreshment OF
the scene, but the moral satisfaction OF justly appre-
cated labOrs and services The colony Of his country
men in Geneva and Lausanne can scarcely be consid
cred as out OF Franco and they share the life OF the
French nation without being immersed in the personal
and party nrgues which tend 20 obscure us real I'M
Theirs last sunday present him with an address and
other tokens OF honorable regard thoy have but given eX
preston 10 the true sentiment of France This Is not
one of those too numerous occasions on which OIL
cous congratulations seem CHIEFLY bestowed lor lhe
sake Of the distinction their acceptance reflects on
those who offer them They are worthily prompted by
desire 20 render due honor TO very venerable old
man who yet has received from mis- countrymen
most Inadequate recognition of his merits


He retres to pursue IN privacy the studies which are
his recreation and is when be seeks refreshment In
the favorte refuge OF French genius that hear Of
proper tribute being paid by his countrymen TO his
character and his work


However tins apparent neglect may for the present
be excused France Is TOO generous nation 70 lall IN
the end recognize in w. Ther OF the greatest men
who have served her and she may yet have occasion 70
wish for an hour OF his administration.


1t was he who had the wisdom TO discern the neces-
sity OF choosing Whatever course divided the country
least and who had the ability 10 impress that idea
upon his cOuntrymen for az least long enough time 10
carry them through the worst dangers OF the crisis As
he truly cOnesses he could have done nothing without
tho cooperation OF the naton but if we ask what the
nation was likely 20 have done without hts assistance
the answer would be difficult 10 give. II was his voice.
in "A word which summoned The nation TO its only safe
course and il was his hand which firmly guided il until
the worst porlls were passed


1t Will be that NJ. THEIRS in his retreat still
tains his apprehension Of the dangers by which his
countrys course Is threatened and adheres to the
counsels by which he for eXtricated her from her
confusion Ii might be wished, indeed, that the book
on which he is concentrating his matured literary
powers could be described something else than "a
philosophical work. for philosophy is the quicksand Of
his The merit Of the last lew years OF his life was
that the dire lessons or experience emanclpated him
from philosophy aud from theories OF whatever KIND,
and that when his eyes We're opened TO realities he
had the courage TO face them. The philosophy
which France needs the philosophy Of facts and the
most valuable contribution NJ Thiers could make 70
the instruction Of his cOuntrymen would analysis
Of his long ami melancholy experience described with
the power Of impartial observation which he displayed
in 1871 and the following years. Frenchmen might
listen to the truth OF history from one who has such
Irresistible claims on ther attention But II the form
and matter the promised work be not all that might
have been desired It's main purpose 0espeaks the later
wisdom OF the Old statesman lie sees thaL the error OF
his countrymen is that they are perpeualy following
the phantom OF one idea or another they recoi from
"the religious ideas which now serve for little more
than the instrument of detestabe policy they allow
themselves ''tO be seized by other deas which turn
render them no better service He will try recall
them reason and let hope also to the facts Of life
which are greater than reason NJ. Theirs recognizes
that facts have been too strong for him He denied
that he could have prevented the establishment of the
Republic which was inevitable That there are things
inevitable politics the truth which, Of all others,
legitimsts, Bonapartists and republicans have alike
need to learn Even the Republic itself will be unstable
until 1t is accepted rather the inevitable than as the
ideal form OF government SO long as form of govern
represents the triumph of party in the State
another, so long is II constantly liable TO susp
and attack. But from the moment people are
content to accept whatever is best IN existing crcum-
stances they have common ground which TO under
stand another NJ. Thiers may justly claim, he
did in Of his speeches OuChy much credit for
appreciatng this necessity for beratng the terri
tory The liberation, indeed, as we have said, was the
legitimate result of the practical patriotism thus
pressed and France is TO regain stability and progress
ip must return more TO the principles which VI.
Theirs practlsed in ohce, and which he expounds in
his retlrement.