The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-09-27
LEON GAMBETTA.
The Great Political Leader whom Nc
Mahon has Ordered to Prison.
From The Paris Figaro.

Mahon has Ordered to Prison.
From The Paris Figaro.
Less than ten years ago I was presen
one morning at one of the police court
of Paris. NJ. Vivien, a gentle-spirited
polite man, was presiding. If he ha'
been stern, he would have not listened Il
the bold speech of the then unknown
lawyer, Gambetta. When his turn cam
to speak, Gambetta arose. I was strucl
by the largeness of his robe. :. He hat
selected at the common vestiary, for tel
cents, the largest one he could find, ii
order that he might have the freest &C
ton possible for gesturing. His long
black hair, which had not then begun tt
turn gray, hung in disorder about, hi
broad shoulders. 1t was evident that NJ
barber had touched his head that morn
ing. His powerful neck rose out of s
shirt collar which fitted so loosely tina
his breast was partly discovered. Hi
head was thrown forward. His blind eye
was not discernible, but his profile stood
out clearly marked in strong lines
When he spoke it was like the roll o
thunder. His southern accent was
marked, but not disagreeable. His man.
ner was emphatic, and he held ones at
tention. I have forgotten what he said
but there remains the impression of an
orator filled with youthful vehemence
too verbose, but sonorous and possessed
of passionate earnestness. On taking his
seat, those who would not admit it to o-day
gave him a congratulatory shake of the
hand. He did not appear astonished al
his reception. 1t was as if a fortune
teller had foretold his success. he left
the court room proudly conscious that he
had made an impression. He took cab,
doubtless his first, and drove away,
When Gambetta entered the Assem-.
bly,, in 1869, he created great deal oil
curiosity. People went to see him as
they would to see lion tanner, thinking
he would be eaten up. But they were
disappointed. Gambetta held his ground.
When the Empire had fallen, and Paris
was blockaded by the Prussians, Gam
BETA, as minister of war, escaped from
the city by balloon. He landed at Tours.
Shortly afterward called upon him.
He was putting up at large building
which had been used as college before
the war. 1t was about midnight when
| called. After waiting about an hour
in the ante-chamber I was admitted into
the presence of the Dictator. He was
seated in large easy chair before fire,
with both of his feet on the table. He
received me kindly, but the only part of
the conversation that 1 now remember
was this parting remark of Gambetta j:
II 60 tomorrow for the army of the
Loire. I will meet you at Berlin" I
saw him next day at the depot. He had
on large great-coat. His hat was a
poor affair, not at all in accord with his
Offices, though it bespoke his humble
origin. He stood waiting for the train.
One of his secretaries was with him, car
rying his portfolio, while a servant was
near by with an armful of wraps. He
bowed as the train moved of. have
known persons to become giddy by being
suddenly elevated to power, but Gam
beta seems to grow cooler in proportion
as he rises. At this period of Gambetta's
first elevation he did not forget his
friends. Every one who ever took a bot
tie of wine or glass of soda with him in
the Latin Quarter, when he was small
lawyer, got an Office. The father of one
of Gambetta's friends told me one day
this anecdote: The Dictator invited his
son to sup with him. After the soup had
been removed, Gambetta remarked: 81
have only "a little sub-prefect's position in
the South to offer you" After the Sec
ond course he continued: "No; you shall
be sub!prefect at Toulon." During the
dessert be said: "My friend, you shall be
prefect."
To-day M. Gambetta rolls along rather
than walks. He has become fat. His
hair is getting gray. He still wears a
rusty hat, the only. thing that remains the
same after so many vicissitudes. He
lives in the aristocratic quarters, near the
Champs Elysees, at So Rue de Ia Chausee
d'Antin. He never goes out unless ac-
companied by two friends, like the Ro-
man Consuls of old. In the streets per-
sons often turn to look at him, and if one
bows Gambetta returns the salute with
an air prouder than king, for he does
not smile.
Gambetta was cut out to be the lead
er of his party. He has an influence
over his followers, derived from the pres
tige power always gives; and if they
threaten revolt, he has the weight of his
journal, La Republique Francaise, and
the constant popularity of his name to
crush them with. NJ. Gambetta appears
in three roles, all of which contribute to
his success. He is man of the people,
a Democratic Caesar, and the chief Of q
great political party. In the Assembly
there are two Gambettas. The one
swayed by his former habits of life, in.
terrupts the speakers, questions them
and shows a fearless and rough spirit o.
opposition The other appears in the tri
bune when he rises to address the Depu'
ties. This tribune, which unnerves, ex
cites and overawes so many speakers
calms, cools and quiets Gambetta
There he stands, with his head thrown
forwad as usual. He is not the most re-
fined nature. His voice is more heavy
than strong. When he is pathetic j
seems forced. His grating invectives
irritate rather than destroy. Sometime.
he seems to lose himself in a kind o
sonorous language, and in curious bal
ancing of his. sentences. He is not
master of irony, but is, perhaps, the frs
contemporary orator in the Assembly
His voice resounds sometimes as if i
came through mask of the ancient Ro
man stage. He becomes vehement, ant
then the tribune holds great orator
Yet he says only what he wishes to say
There are two natures in this speaker
one, that of the cold politician another
that of the fiery orator. The last is th,
obedient slave of the first. When NJ
Gambetta descends from the tribune
rest assured that the politician does no
regret one of the premeditated transport
of the orator.
LONG WH1FFLETREEs ON PLoUGHs
Most ploughmen have so long whifie
trees that it is often impracticable Il