The Academy, Instead of appeasement

The French Academy has just elected from among its members Simone Veil. Thus, in a few months, this prestigious institution will be enriched with a musicologist, an ambassador, a writer, a bishop, a philosopher, an art critic. Today it hosts a political career to the rich who led the judiciary to the Constitutional Council. Thirty years ago, Simone Veil was part of the most painful debate that divided French society in the post-war health minister, defended it in 1974 legislation allowing abortion law remains committed to his name, and whose subject is still debate. To a lesser degree, Simone Veil was the front line of controversies that accompanied the construction of Europe. Top of the list in the elections of 1979, this former deported, partisan of the Franco-German reconciliation was the first president of the Assembly of Strasbourg, at a time when Europe is largely divided the political class - and into the ranks of right. This time is past. Yesterday, the French Academy decided it succeed Pierre Messmer. Does this mean that access to this prestigious institution is "secular canonization? Quai Conti would be some kind of Pantheon where we come in his lifetime? The French Academy is a very old lady born in 1635 with the motto "To immortality" for over three centuries, it hosted within its dukes, cardinals, encyclopedias, revolutionary monarchists, the Bonapartist. More recently, she will meet men who supported the Vichy regime and ardent Gaullists. Supporters of French Algeria and activists of its independence. Our age who loves fighting, the Good against evil, right against the left, men against women, does not understand that such a miracle is possible here. She likes wrenching power, without understanding the benefits of appeasement. In its wisdom, the Academy knows it is time to fight and a time to discuss. Without requiring anyone to deny it or change it, she asked its members to keep the sword and scabbard to make the best of their talent and experience. A few years ago, receiving the writer (and great polemicist) Jacques Laurent, Michel Déon he explained the modus vivendi that prevails in the gathering: "The reason monarchist and anarchist at heart that you stay with a beautiful young Here character of fellow travelers and also men with whom he once measured the difference. Nobody asks you to forget this difference, but in accepting the other, you accept yours. The Academy will be for you this locus which meet in the understanding and friendship feelings sometimes opposed. " It is a lesson in civilization, courtesy and elegance that academics come to offer French society.