M. JULES GREVY, PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 85, 17 May 1879, Page 3

M. JULES GREVY, PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

The distinguished statesman who has been ■elevated to the high position of President of the French liepublic, is u native -of the charming Jura country, -where the people have all the brilliant vivaoity of the French, and all the solid qualities of the Swiss, where the minds of men are expanded by busy industrial life, and deepened by those inHueuces of nature which are always most potent in a mountainous country, lie was born on the loth August, 1813, and spent his childhood in the village of Mout-sous-Yandrez. He was educated at tho college of Eoligny, aud subsequently studied .law in Paris. In .common witn most of .the prominent French statesmen, he embraced the profession of advocate, which he followed with great success. When 'Only seventeen he .took part in the revoJution of 1830, aud during the reign of Louis Fhillippe he acquired considerable •celebrity as the -defender of radicals •charged with political offences. When "itho Orleanist monarchy was at an end, ■owing .to the obstinacy of the King and ■Guizot, M. Jules Orevy was eleoted at rthe head of tho list as one of the representatives of the department of tho Jura in the Constituent Assembly, and he was chosen one of its Vice-Presidents, a high honour for a young man. lie acquired great skill in debate, and was recognised as one of the ablest men in the practical Republican party, thoroughly liberal, but untainted with the folhas of Socialism, then very prevalent among the democratic politicians of France.

His statesmanlike foresight was admirably exemplified in the discussions on the Presidency, lie opposed the election of the President by tne people, foreseeing possibly that such elections and plebiscites might be used as the most effective engines of despotism. His proposal was that the President should be appointed by the National Assembly by secret ballot, and absolute majority of votes. Although this was rejected at the time, and the shortsightedness of the legislators enobled Louis Napoleon to work bis way upward to an imperial throne, the mature thought of France has recognised the wisdom of M. Qrevy's proposal, and he himself has become tne third president of France appointed by the absolute majority of the votes of the National Assembly.,

For the greater part of the reign of Napoleou 111., M. Urevy remained aloof from active political life, although in avowed opposition to tho liovemineiit. He was not to be wooed by the accommodating liberalism of tho Kinperor under the guidance, of Mr. Ollivier, atid he ■would not even accept the advice of Thiers to regard the Empire as an evil which circumstances had rendered necessary. Yet he bunt so far as to enter the Chambers in 1861 as deputy for the Jura; and when the final crush came lie couiniand'-d the respect of bis fellow representative l to such an extent that he was oho o.i President of the memorable A sembly which met at Uordeaux. For two years be occupied this post with dignity and universal approbation, 110 was then succeeded by M. Buffet, who

was subsequently appointed Prime Minister only to meet with the most disastrous electoral defeat ever recorded. M. Grevy has since reasoended the Presidential chair from which he has been culled to the dignified and influential position of President of France. It his been a surprise that Marshal MucMahon has abdicated, after his many declarations that he would stay at his post for the appointed time of seven years; but there lias been no surprise in M. Grevy becoming his successor. When he stood over the grave of M. Thiers, and re-enunciated the convictions of that eminent man, that the republic had bocomo the necessary government for Franco, it was felt there was none so capable of wealing Thiers'* mantle as the speaker. Very soon he was chosen as the leader of the combined parties of the Left, and was considered to have a secure reversion of the presidential office. He nas not the marvellous versatility, the incomparable brilliance, and acute vivacity of Thiers, but he is an able orator, and at the same time a much safer statesman than his late leader. It would be difficult to tiud a uioro suitable man to play the difficult part of Constitutional President and to guide the still tottering steps ;f the young republic into safe paths, liy placing M. Grevy in the place of Marshal MacMahon, i Vance has exchanged an unsuccessful soldier and a childish politician for a calm and experienced statesman, whoso past career is un earnest of his future usefulness.—Town aud Country Journal.