SIR C. G. DUFFY ON M. THIERS. TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 November 1873, Page 11

SIR C. G. DUFFY ON M. THIERS. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir— Whatever falls in public from the lips of Sir 0. G. Duffy is lietened to with attention and respect. It is with that impression that I read his lecture on the present state of European nations, as published in the New Zealajtd Tablet. But I must confess that I was not a little surprised and even disappointed at some assertions of the grave statesman. I willingly forgive him his preference for democracy ; besides I have nothing to forgive in this matter ; everyone is free to cherish one form of government more than another. To au Irishman who has seen his country so long robbed aud murdered by modern Pharaohs, with the assistance/jf a cruel, haughty, and hypocritical faction, it is difficult not to be a democrat in heart. He thinks that democracy is the only efficacious means to sweep away huge and longrooted iniquities. However, one should not allow his judgment to be warped by political preference. For instance the illustrious lecturer •would make his heavers regret with Him the fall of Thiers in Fiance; well, all the good men in France and elsewhere rejoiced at it. It is true that Thiers led France through two or three years of perilous difficulties ; but what is the first and prime cause of perils and difficulties to France ? Revolution. The late revolution in that country in September, 1870, was more fatal to France than the Prussian enemy. It deprived that unfortunate nation of the services of its best men, because jealousy and despotic revolution would not have them for leaders. Now let it be known M. Thiers is for revolution practically and theoretically. He said himself that by inclination and habit he is essentially revolutionist, and he proved it all his lifetime he gave lessons and examples in making revolutions ; in liis works, in his speeches, he praised the worst men of the first grand revolution save Robespierre and his gang. Thiers overthrew all governments he never supported one for any length of time. Thiers helped and succeeded in throwing down the King of France, Charles X , his benefactor in 1830. Thiers brought about the revolution of 1848, whicli sent Louis Philippe into exile. Thiers by his determined opposition prepared the downfall of Napoleon 111., and the esptilsion of his dynasty. At last he having become the leader of France in an hour of difficulty, he was acting most tyranically against the majority of the assembly, siding with Gatnbetta, faciliating the election of Communists for the sake of his republic or rather for the sake of a power of which in his old age he was most tenacious. M. Thiers belonged to that class of liberal politicians who, under the mask of liberty, hide monstrous despotism. In 1830 he encouraged by his presence the sack of the palace of tlie Archbishop of Paris, and when national guards were marched to protect the palace, Thiers was there, Thiers the little despotic deputy was there to keep away military «2 rce, and feast his eyes oijt the spectacle of the destruction of church property. That is the way Tlrierg attacked unprotected property and paved the road for the wild socialists. Thiers was an unrelenting enemy of the Jesuits ; they have no right, he said in parliament, except the right of exclusion. That is a sample of Thiers' love for religious liberty. Thiers was still a great opponent of liberty of education, against parents, against the Church, againtt all who differed from him. He would have all the youth of France cast in ths mould of an infidel or nearly iufidel university, to his own mould. Thiers is a Deist. Such is Thiers, Ist him be known by his acts. We do not deny the services he has rendered to his country, but they are the services of a man who, with others, having kindled a destroying conflagration, and being appalled at its progress, throws on the fire Borne buckets of water or directs the fire brigade more or less skilfully to put out the fire. Thiers fell. Good people were persuaded that France was Bavpd at least for a while. The financial world gave its verdict ; tho French funds rose immediately. JJet no man who loves France regret the fall of Thiera. — I am, &c, A Rejjdeb o* thb T^biet.