New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-04
GdNBETTdp,S FOLLY.

Ii seems that MIR. Gambetta is to be added
to the long list of those statesmen who are
admirable in speech and worse than useless in
action. The members of the Provisional Gov
eminent who remained in Paris have made
the best attainable arrangement with the vic
torious enemy. A truce is provided for, which
with common prudence and discretion might
resuIt in peace. and the final establishment Of
settled Government in France. Less than three
weeks are allowed for the momentous business
of electng an Assembly, calling the mem
bers together, and deciding upon the
terms of peace discussed between Mr.. Favre
and Bismarck at Versailles. 1t would appear
impossible that any one of ordinary capacity
should fail to see the absolute necessity of
perfect unity and harmony in the Republican
ranks But this is precisely the instant Mr.
Gambetta chooses to denOunce his associates
and impair their authority, and to call upon
the country to take measures to begin the
war anew Immediately upon the expiration OF
the Armistce. His passionate appeals anu
Misrepresentation will have the effect, if they
have any, of rendering the task of the Con-
stituent Assembly well nigh impossible. For
if an excited public feeling be reused to the
the labor of the Assembly would be in vain,
and the establishment of Government which
would survive the retirement of the Prussians
would be out of the question
1t remains to be seen what action the Cabi-
net of the Emperor of Germany will take i'll
regard to this unheard-Of reputation by one
half of the Government of the spirit and in
tention of solemn compact entered into by
the other half. If the Government of BOr-
deaux insists upon carrying on offensive prep
arations during the whole duration of the
truce, it may be that Prussian headquarters
will refuse to be bound by an agreement
which is openly scorned by their adversary.
We say nothing of the question OF interna-
tional ethics involved, as the GascOn wing of
the Committee of National Defense is not in
state of mind to consider calmly the relation
of its acts to the principles of absolute right
and the law of nations.
The effect of this senseless quarrel upon the
elections cannot be other than disastrous. The
Republicans, as it is, have no votes to spare.
The Government is placed in a position of vast
responsibility and little power. 1t is held an
swerable for all the miseries of the war, and
If has not shown enough Of the elements of
permanence to exert upon the rural districts
that powerful moral influence which in France
exercises such unquestiOned control over
elections. Its only hope was in firm and
resolute unity, and in determination
to cast aside all personal considerations
and postpone all feuds until after the
war. But since at this most critical
period. the hysterical circular of Mr.. Gam
BETA has shown to the world how little of
harmony OF of discipline exists in the inner
most circles of the administration, it would
now be marvellous if the candidates of this
distracted party should he elected to a major
ity of seats in the Constituent Assembly.
The Decree of the Bordeaux Government ex
Guiding from the deputation all members of
hitherto reigning families, and all those who
have held Office under the late Imperial Govern
ment. il a violent and wholly unjustifiable at
tempt 10 obviate the natural effect of Repub
lican dissensions by prescribing to the people
of France what votes they shall cast. Mr.
Gambetta assumes that France is now Re-
public : that the question of her future destiny
is already decided that an Assembly is to be
called together to approve what has been
done by the actual Government, and perform
various acts of special legislation under the
supervision of that Government He therefore
regards any candidacy in opposition to this
view as absolute treason against the estab-
lished constitution of the country, and adopts
in the cause of liberty the repressive system
of the worst days of the Empire. 1t Is easy
to see what powerful and vindctive spirit
Of hostility this will at once awake among the
adherents of all the old political parties. The
Projects Of the Empire were among The most