Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1891 — JULES GREVY DEAD [ARTICLE]

JULES GREVY DEAD

France's Kx-Preaident Passes Quietly Away. M. Francois Paul Jules Grevy, ex-Presi-dent of the French republic, died at Paris on the 9th. Francois Paul Jules Grevy was born August 15,1813. He was active in the revolution of 1830, and as long ago as Louis Pfaiilipe’s reign was a well known advocate. In the events of 1848 he became, a leading spirit, and was vice-president of the Assembly and member of the commit-: tee of justice. When the empire came he refused to make .any terms with it. and continued one of its most uncompromising enemies, finally quitting politics in; disgust. The appearance of M Grevy and some of his characteristics are thus described by a writer who called upon him while ho was president; “A short dapper man. with a face smooth shaved ail but a trim fringing of gray sidewhiskers, thin, firm lips, a square, bald head, cold, gray eyes, and a premptory voice. M. Grevy does not impress one as the incarnation of dignity or of presidental authority. From the time when, as a stu- ! dent in the Latin quarter,' he took part in the fighting of the revolution in 1830. Jules Grevy has stood steadfast to his opinions, and in all that he has spoken there is noth, ing to show that he has ever schemed for place or power. It is this one trait in the strongest character which is perhaps his strongest, There is absolutely nothing in the record against him. And yet it is certain as can be that all his life he has had his eye to the main chance. The real secret of his success is this: Hd is a man of uncommonly coo bravery, backed up by good sense. He has never bragged about his doings, and, j while others were talking, he was quietly I “getting in his work” in such a way that he won, no matter who his opponent might be. No one will venture to say that he has ever distinguished himself, and vet to-day he wields a power as absolute almost as was that of Louis Napoleon, and more tfrau did the citizen King called Louis Phillipe. But it Is better to be born lucky than rich, and Jules Grevy, who sprang from the very low est classes, took advantage of all the opportunities that presented themselves, and that so well, that the irony of politics has placed him at the head of a mighty nution. It has been said that allthis greatness has been forced on him against’bis wifi, but this 1 hold to be a serious mistake. If he has not overmuch of brains he has a good deal of ambition, and he has pnt forth all his strength to reach his present position. A professed republican, he opposed M. Thiers on all important occasions: and, had it not been for his half-hearted support- of that great statesman after the disastrous Prussian war, Marshal McMahon would never have been President. WithThiers out of the way, Grevy was sure to win; and it happened sooner than he had anticipated. Of late years the great bugbear of the President nas been Leon Gambetta, that other graduate of the Latin quarter, whose name ie known in every land, j--