Evening Post. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1877.

Evening Post, Volume XV, Issue 209, 6 September 1877, Page 2

Evening Post. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1877.

The death of M. Thiers, the ex- President of the French Republic, is announced by telegraph as having occurred on Tuesday. The career of this great statesman has been so prominent in the eyes of the world, that his death is an event which calls for something more than mere record. Louis Adolphe Thiers was born in Marseilles in 1797, where his father was a working locksmith. He received an excellent education at the public school, studied for the law, and was called to the Bar. Lack of success made him abandon the legal profession and devote himself to literature. He came to Paris, obtained a footing in literary society, and wrote political articles for the journals. His history of the French Revolution was written between 1823 and 1832. About this time., he was elected deputy for Aix, and afterwards was appointed Minister of the Interior during the reign of Charles X. He held various other offices, and ultimately became President of the Council, but ultimately retired at the request of the King. In his retirement, M. Thiers wrote part of The History of the Consulate and the Empire. Theßevolution of 1848 found Thiers a National Guard, with a musket on his shoulder. Soon, however, he found a seat in the National Assembly, and on the elevation of Louis Napoleon to the Presidency, it was thought that Thiers, whom the Prince had proclaimed as his Minister in the abortive expedition at Boulogne in 1840, would take office. He did not, however, do so, and was banished from France during the coup d'etat of 2nd December, 1851, but soon afterwards was permitted to return. During the'first twelve years of the Empire, Thiers devoted himself to painting and the fine arts. He re-entered the Chamber of Deputies in 1863, having been elected for the department of the Seine by the Liberal Opposition. He became a most dangerous and formidable opponent of the Government— the financial system, the municipal administration, and the foreign policy of which ho mercilessly assailed. His taunts against the Government about their loss of foreign prestige, in a great measure, formed an instigation to the disastrous war of 1870. On the downfall "of the Empire, M. Thiers, though he declined to beceme a member of the Government of the National Defence, undertook diplomatic journeys to the courts of England, Russia, Austria, and Italy, to implore aid for France. This self-imposed mission -was unsuccessful, and Thiers returned to Tours, whence he proceeded to the headquarters of the King of Prussia at Versailles, to open negotiations for peace. These efforts at the time failed, owing to the attitude taken by Bismarck. After the capitulation, Thiers, whose previous efforts to secure peace had earned for him the gratitude of- his fellowcountrymen, was elected to the National Assembly by one-third of the whole nation. He was made the head of the Provisional Government on 17th February, 1871, and also had the privilege of taking part in the deliberations of the Chamber. He introduced the treaty of peace with Prussia, and had the pi*eliminaries adopted by the Chamber^ on Ist March, 1871. During thu same month the National Assembly removed to Versailles, and on 18th March, Paris fell into the hands of the Communists, who burned Thiers' house. On 22nd May, Paris was recovered by the French army under" General Macmahon. Thiers resumed his position as head of the Government, with increased powers, his title being changed from "Chief of the Executive Power," to that of " President of the French Republic." He socured the evacuation of France by the Prussians, the payment by France of the war indemnity, and the reorganisation of the Frencharmy. In 1873 he was defeated in the Assembly by a hostile vote, and resigned the Presidency of the Republic, being succeeded by Marshal Macuahox, who formed a Conservative administration. . During later years, M. Thiers still held. his seat in the National Assembly, and took a prominent part in public affairs until cut off by death at the ripe age of eighty. As a statesman, a historian, a writer, and a journalist, M. Thiebs was one of the ablest men which France has produced during the last centnry.

Complications have arisen with respect to the new middle party. They are once more at heads and tails with respect to the adoption of a definite policyl Sir George Grey resents the contemplated usurpation of his position, and threatens to retire to Kawau. It . is now doubtful whether a coalition is possible of accomplishment between the middle party of 21 members— with some 3 doubtful— and Sir George Grey's lot, numbering some 17. Alto-, gether, the Opposition is again reverting to a state of chaos.

The war telegrams are a little conflicting. It is, however, to be learned from our latest special telegrams that the attack of Sulieman Bey ¦ upon the Russians on the road from Plevna to Gabrova resulted in his ultimately . being repulsed with a loss of 2000. There were 20,000 men on each side. .The sudden, death of M. Thiers in the present .critical condition of European affairs has created feelings of anxiety and alarm that grave complications may arise in France.