New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-23
GAMBETTA'S GREAT SPEECH.

THIERs-M GREvT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| CONDEMNED.
fFRom THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUsE.l
LONDON Oct 11.-As the day fixed Cor the French
elections draws NIGH the interest of French politics
becomes so immeasurably greater than any purely
English interest, that may be allowed to return to
that subject. hoped to have been in Paris to hear
NJ. Gambettas speech on Tuesday evening, but as
could not 60, | must content myself with giving
some accOunt-not Of the scene, but of the
speech-as published in the Republican journals
of Paris. The English papers, which GER
tainly cannot be accused of indifference on
this subject ill-will to NJ. Gambetta, print
inadequate report of the speech, owing suppose.
to the difficulty of getting full account the
wires. Nor is this let say at once, speech best
suited to give one who has never heard NJ. Gambetta
sufficient notion of his oratorca power at its high
est. Ills manifesto, a short paper. which you have
doubtless published, is full of that elOquence
which comes from passion half suppressed and half
expressed; passion that counts for something in
every great orators power, and for much with Gam
beta. This is argumentative speech. Gambetta
is master of many styles; this, to make a rough
comparison, is more In the manner Of Webster than
in the manner of Clay. 1t will be most liked by
those who are most eager for clear statement Of
the issues of this contest by the leader Of the
Republicans Of France.
Seven thousand people listened to the speech.
Seven regiments, just out of ear-shot, in the great
barracks hard by the circus where the meeting
sembled, were held III the leash. The sli shest dis
turbance, the least excitement in the streets that
should give the Government ITS longsought pretext,
and the soldiers would have been let loose. Then
we should once more have society saved. But,
though the thousand were, In great part, VI.
Gambettas constituents of Beeyille everything
passed off quietly. don't know whether the name
Bellevile has become synonym on your side Of the
water it has this, for turbulent democracy.
1t is so fraught with menace in the minds
Of peaceable people that the mere an
n0ulccment of the gathering set half Europe
in a hutter. For Europe has an intense concern in
the coming elections, and an intense dread OF any
incident chat should rouse the timidity OF French
Conservatives, and imperl Republican success.
1t was private" meeting. No public meeting to
discuss public affairs can be held in France during
the Ave days Immediately preceding an election.
Such is the law and solicitous is the Government
TO secure to the citizen period of repose and re-
Election before he actually deposits his vote in the
urn. But private meeting Is always IN order and
legal privacy is secured by issuing personal invita-
TONS Every man who gained entrance to the
building on Tuesday had a card containing
printed invitation addressed 70 himself. II the
name were left blank the meeting would
cease to be private, and COmnlssary
Of Police would soon find an excuse for dispensing
IT, But the organization Of the Republicans Is too
perfect to allow of such mistakes. hear that the
applications for tickets was double the number that
could bee granted. VI. Paul Cassagnac's paper IN
forms its readers that ~ Gambetta collected at the
MYERS Circus a certain number" of auditors;
that his speech was tIresOme, but not very III
srructIve because we know all that NJ. Gambetta
can teach us Of his extraordinary impudence" and
winds mp by calling VI. Gam0etta "voyou" which
may be fecbly translated cad, but is a word much
more offensive than this Another BOnapartist
journal explains NJ Gambetta's moderation by say
ing that he was afraid the quoted words being
the title of the article. Such the amenities of
the French Imperialist toward the most eminent OF
his political opponents. With these specimens let
rs leave them and See what it is that pr0yokcs such
insults
The KEY note of NJ Gambetta's speech is struck IN
the first few sentences. 1t Is not speech devoted
tn tine denupclation of the 10Th May. and or all
the outrages that have followed It, That has been
well done by the press II is an attempt to discover
the real meaning and character OF the elections the
double character they bear. and the interests at
stake. If we accept NJ. Gambettas view, II is moth
ing less than universal suffrage itself which Is IN
ieopardy and with il the principles OF the french
Reyoluton. Ii was 10 obtain from universal suffrage
Itself its own condemnation that the act
If Nav 10 was committed but how Six
teen months ago. universal suffrage chose an
immense majority of Republicans to defend,
organize aud develop the Republic The Repre-
sentatiyes so chosen have been ANONYMOUSLY
dismissed by the Executive sent back to their cleo
tors and those electors for five months past sub
eced by this same executive power to every sort OF
administrative pressure Piled with all the influences
of fear. of intimidation OF corruption, IN order 10
induce them to reject their own representa-
tiyes. and to submit to the will OF the EXecu-
tive: of an Executive openly proclaiming that
if the decision Of the people be adverse To the
will Of the Executive it shall go for nothing.
Thai is TO make war on universal suffrage; and
for the people to ratfy and approve such an attack
On its liberties would demonstrate their unhtness 10
| nossess them: universal suffrage would have aDdl-
It'd the reign Of minorities would have arrived;
and whoever should pretend that he was invested
witb \ mission Independently of the nation-a
"proydentialp mission, independent OF ana superior
70 nnblic reason-hat man would 90 safely jasqr au
bout, siace then the people would nave gwen INN
permission to do a. he pleased.
such thesis as this however it may strike others,
10 almost commonplace IN France among RepuDl-
cans. The only qualification French Democrats
have ever set 10 the authority of universal suffrage
Is tis that it cannot abdicate that 1t cannot vote
itself a master. This YOU will find set forth win
great ingenuity by NJ Louis Blanc IN his Questions
de Demain.p The use which Gambetta makes OF 1t
ia al,o ingenious Not one Of his hearers
would question the soundness of the POI
nteal maxims built on this theory what
thew would admire and applaud in the speech
il the force with which they are stated, and the