The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-31
OBITUARY.
Leon Gambetta,

cluded by NJ Jules Favre and will not resign, 1t
was at first reported that he would, in consequence
OF the capulaton OF Paris. But just after this
| nouncement comes another to the effect
| that the hot-blooded Southron has put
an end to his career by committing suicide. The
report is as yet, uncon1rmed but taking into con-
sderation the nature Of the man, the stupendous
task in which he has for months past been engaged
and sad faure OF his efforts to rescue his unhappy
country from German domination, it will surprise
I no one II the report should prove true.
Leon Gambetta was OF Italian descent his parents
having been Genoese, and was born at Cahors, in
the south Of France, on october 3o 1888, and was
therefore but little over thirty-two years
of age. After studying law, he was ad-
mtted to the bar of Paris in 1859. He con-
tinued to practise with much success but
without attracting general attention, until he was
retained as counsel for the persons implicated in
the disturbances attending the demonstration in
memory Of Baudin at the cemetery OF Montmartre,
December 2, 1868 Before the trial was con-
Cluded, he was one of the best known and most
popular men in France. The speech which he de-
livered on this occasion was his first political
speech, but it created an immense sensation "For
twenty years." wrote a Paris correspondent
after, ''no such speech has been heard at the
Paris bar" 1t was characterized by great dignity Of
manner energy of diCton, and irresistible argu-
ment, and was delivered in voice Of thunder. The
young advocate displayed the possession of a won-
derful command Of words, extraordinary fer
tlnJy OF lndglnatOn, ueep ana JnOTOdgn culture,
profound knowledge OF political philosophy, and,
above all, marvellous mastery of the art of ora
tory, which, added to his stentorian tones, swept
everything before It.
In March, 1869, the defense OF the Journal
de Emancipation, published at Toulouse, gave
rise in the south to enthusiastic demonstrations in
favor OF the young advocate At the general eec-
tions M. Gambetta presented himself simultane-
ousy as a candidate for PaEs and Marselles.
He embraced the policy OF the irreconeilable
opposition, and made great impression by
his appearance and his impetuous
eloquence at the public meetings of the electors He
elected both in the First district OF Paris, and
in the First OF the Bouches-du Rhone at Marsees
but preferred to sit for the latter constituency
In the Paris district he received nearly
$4,000 votes out Of a total of $1,000. Roche
fort the "rreconcillable" Republican OF far Diff
ferent type, who was elected in his place, received
but 5000 votes out Of total poll OF $4,000.
In the exciting events which preceded and fol-
lowed the ascent OF M. Olivier to power, NJ. Gam
BETA took a prominent part, and on the reassem-
bling Of the Corps Legisatf on the 9th of August
1870, after the outbreak of the present war, at
once recognized as leader of the opposition to the
late Prime Minister, declaring that France was
"goyerned and defended by incapabes" On the
10th of August he signalized his devotion to the
country in the hour OF its peril by insisting that
the discussion OF the proposition to arm the
people against the invader should not be postponed
just been announced, was unwilling, in his
sive zeal, to give them any time delberation
question which, as Frenctman he thought
needed deliberation. In common with Thiers
the veteran statesman and Orleanist leader, he
joined hands with Count de Palikao, the new Pre-
mier in the crisis, but urged with all his eoquence
| that the new Ministry should prove itself worthy
| the confd ence Of the nation.
It would be singular" he said, "for Ministry which
ttude to be the cause Of fresh obstrucOns You have
t. ah aO the
rty Eeposed in you universal arni1E is question Of
Which hSs been par @ S and 4
nerated since 7s2 and the people of Paris by
S arms tn have 1 snSa oSno the
When, on the 13th NJ. Jules Favre made propo-
siHon for the appointment by the Chambers OF a
Committee of Defense, to be entrusted with su-
preme power M. Gambetta made an earnest speech
in its support, but it received only fifty or sixty
votes and was therefore lost. On this occasion his
enmity to the Bonaparte dynasty cropped
out side by side with his devotion to
France, and he declared unhesitatingly,
in the midst Of great confusion, that ION such a
subject there must be no trickery; the Chambers
must pronounce between the safety OF the State
and that of a dynasty" On account of the mani
festations of approval with which his assaults on
the empire were received, it was found necessary to
clear the galleries and proceed in secret session.
But he appears to have had but little confidence
In either the ability or patriotism OF the Count de
Palikao; and, just before the downfall OF the
Empire, is reported to have said, in answer to the
question II Pakao deserved all the trust he seemed
| to repose In him :-"Yss because he is traitor.
| When the grand disaster at Sedan came, NJ. Gam
beta at once assumed place by the side OF Favre
as one OF the two leading spirits OF the Govern
ment OF Defense, being charged with the duties ei
the Ministry OF the Interior.
| On October Z, NJ. Gambetta left the invested cap
tai in a balloon, and after perilous voyage landed
near Mont Dider, where he barely escaped falling
into the hands of the Prussians. He proceeded
first to Amens, twenty-one miles distant, and
went from there to Rouen, which place he
| left on the Sth, arriving at Tours, the
| seat OF government outside OF Paris
on the same day. He had been entrusted with the
Ministry of War, as well as that OF the Interior, and
in this double capacity became and remained until
the fall OF Paris the virtual Dictator of France,
side of the capital. His first act the issuance
OF proclamation, in which he sad:-
LET us rise up masss, and let die rather thar
submit disgrAcefuiy TO ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Through al
disasters and under all the strokes Of ill fortune
and the ndivsbity OF the Repubho Paris asserts mos
goriousy again that immortal motto which calls
the Republic, one and indiyisible!"
The enthusiasticsYoung patriot had almost insur
mountable obstacles to overcome, but he attacked
them with all the fire and energy OF his nature anC
soon brought semblance OF order out OF the chaos
which had reigned. He organized armies, restored
dAeipline 20 the ranks, dlspelled dssensiOni
amols the leaders, and in short fairly accomplished
Wonaers' When the great disaster at Metz came
ne ala not eespair but, hurting the charge OF trea
Son against MARSHAL Bazaine, refused to lose fatf
IN the lmplegnabity OF France. Pro
CARNATIONS 1ohNWed in quick sue.
cession, after each o'feat OF the French arms IL
which the nation was u,Ved not to despair, but Il
rad