Year: 1872

M. IhIers.


An Oriental traveller, NJ Eugene dArnont,
just returned from long tour in the East, Aus
tria and Germany, sends 10 the Pdtrie the fol-
lowing account of a conversation he had with
NJ. Thiers :: "0nce for 6l NJ. Thiers did me the
honor to say to me, must repeat that desire
peace, and nothing else but peace for that mat
ter, all Europe is Of the same mind. The German
Empire is the last power that can think of
making war upon US. Her statesmen are well
aware that in deprivng US, in the intoxication Of
their dearly-acquired triumph, of provinces which
are not German, they made mistake for those
territories, far from adding to the strength of
Germany, are cause Of weakness to it. How
ever, what is done is done. Austria is most
sympathetic to us, and we reciprocate sympathy
with that good and loyal people. Austria cannot
forget that for twenty years opposed that disas-
trous policy which sought TO weaken her, and
that it is no fault Of mine if that policy has re-
suited in damage to that interesting nation which,
both by genius and race, 10 many points resem-
bes our own. The friendly sentiments Of Russia
towards US are well known, and they are sincere.
Italy is not, does not desire to be, aud can
be our enemy II outside Of the action of part
of the Government, if contrary to the personal
views of the gentleman King, false ideas are pro-
pagated in certain quarters, and irritation is the
consequence, these ideas and this irritation will
not lead to any bad results. The Italians cannot
forget that they belong to our race You have
doubtless heard some talk about revenge. Who
is it that talks of revenge? Certainly not ] nor
anybody about me, neither anybody who has it at
heart to see France once more great and strong.
Revenge we shall never have by arms but by
peaceful labor, by our industrial and creative
genius, and by walking in the path Of the beauti-
ful and the grand. 1t has been reported that
certain branches Of our manufactures are in a
state of decadence that silks and what are called
" Paris articles" are now distanced by German
silks and products of Vienna. Nothing can be
more untrue. Although common German silks
and common Vienna articles may vie with ours
in foreign markets, our superior silks and our
bronzes are altogether unrivaled These products
of French art are at this moment in greater de-
mand all over the world than they ever were. 1t
is true that / am very busy with the army. 1t is
my desire that France shall possess an army su-
pero to any other if not in quantity, at least in
quality. There is apt to be much fantasy when
people speak of numbers. 1t was said the Prus-
slams threw million and half of men into France
and they certainly never had half so many. In
forming an army with view to quantity nation



is exposed to great deception. But in point of
quality the French army now Incompatible,
and am not the only person who says so: So,
with her army, and good system Of Finance,
such as l am endeavoring to maintain, France
has nothing to fear, and may set to work in all
security to become herself again. Whatever
may be said to the contrary France is the richest
of all the countries of Europe, and the most IA
vored by nature. j therefore intend and expect
to see France, as she has been before, brave, in
dustrious aud respected. No man can answer for
the future but do say this, that it. contrary to
the desire of all the Governments, any event
were to occur of a nature to trouble the peace of
the world, France would in no way whatever be
the promoter Of it. When l say this do not sup
pOSS Nhdb see suCn 6NSub ptIepSCbiN6s All
the other Powers have, to greater extent per-
haps than ourselves, need of long peace to re-
cover from the shock caused by the defeat of
France. All rumors of any territorial changes
whatever must be relegated to the rank of Chi
meras. Europe is what she is, and no Power has 4
right to attempt any change. The Government
of the French Republic, which receives every day /
the most unequvocal testimonials Of hearty sym
pathy from foreign Powers, is a Government of
peace, which relies for her greatness, upon her in
dustry. hope the most incredulous, if there be
any SUCH will soon be convinced of this fact; and
this peace which desire to see durable, which l |
am endeavoring to render fruitful, will be all the
more assured if the army charged to maintain it |
is, in point of quality the first among all armies
This peace which desire, not from weakness, for
we are not weak, but because it is necessary for
all, is the means by which hope in the course
of a very few years to restore Fnnce to that rank
in the world from which she may have momenta-
rily fallen, but of which no human power can ever
permanently deprive her.