The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-09-27
LEON GAMBETTA.
The Great Political Leader whom Bic
Mahon has Ordered TO Prison.
FROM @e i7arfs EYaaro,

Less than ten years ago was present
one morning at one of the police courts
of Paris. n. Vivien, q gentle-spirited,
polite man, was presiding. IF he had
been stern, he would have not listened to
tho bold speech of the then unknown
lawyer, Gambetta. When his turn came
to speak, Gambetta arose. I was struck
by the largeness of his robe. He had
selected at the common vestiary, for ten
cents, the largest one he could find. in
order that he might have the freest ac-
tinr possible for gesturing. His long
black hair, which had not then begun to
turn gray, hung in disorder about his
broad shoulders. 1t was evident that no
barber had touched his head that morn.
ing. His powerful neck rose out of a
snl; collar which fitted so loosely that
his breast was partly discovered. His
head was thrown forward. His blind eve
was not discernible, bu. his profile stood
out clearly marked in strong lines.
When he spoke it was like the roll of
thunder. His southern accent was
marked, but not disagreeable. His man.
ner was emphatic, and he held ones at
sention. have forgotten what he said
but there remains the impression of an
orator filled with youthful yehemcnce.
TOO verbose, but sonorous and possessed
OF passionate earnestness. On taking his
scat, those who would not admit it TODAY
gave, him congratulatory shake of the
hand. lie did not appear astonished at
his reception. 1t was as if q 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 a great deal of
curiosity. People went to see him as
tl.cy would to see lion tanner, thinking
he would be eaten up. But ;lev were
disappointed. Gambetta held his ground.
When the Empire had fallen, aud Paris
was blockaded by the Piussians. Gam
BETA, as minister of war, ESCAPED from
the city by balloon. He landed at Tours.
shortly afterward l called upon him.
he was putting up at large building
which had been used us college before
the war 1t was abou. midnight when
! called. After waiting about an hour
in the ante-chambcr was admitted into
the presence Of the Dictator. He was
seated in a large easy chair before fire.
with both of his feet on the table. He
received me kindly, but the only mart of
the conversation that l now remember
was this parting remark of Gambetta:
II go Tomorrow for the army of the
Loire. will meet you at Borlinn
saw him next day at the depot. He had
on q large great-coat. His hat was q
poor affair, not Mt ali in accord with his
offices, though 1t bespoke his humble
origin. He stood waiting for the train.
One OF his secretaries WAS with him. car
rying his portfolio, whiio servant was
near by with an armfui of wraps. He
bowed as the train moved of. have
known persons to become giddy by being
suddenly elevated to power, but Gam.
bctta seems to grow cooler in proportion
as he rises. AZ this period of Gambetta's
first elevation he did not forget his
friends. Every one who ever took bot
tie of wine or glass of soda with him in
the Latin Quarter, when o was n small
lawyer, got an Office. The father of one
OF Gambetta's friends told me ono day
this anecdote: The Dictator invited his
eon to sup with him. After the gouD had
been removed, Gambeita remarked: HI
have only little SUBJ -prefect's position in
the South to offer YOU" After the sec
ond course he continued: mo: Won shall
be sub!prefect at Toulon." During tha
dessert he said: my friend, you shall be
To-day NJ. 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 80 many vicisstudes. He
llves in the aristocratic quarters. near the
Champs Elysees, at 53 Rue de la Chausee
dAntin: He never gees cut 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.
dambetta was cut out to be the lead
er of his party. He has an influence
over his followers, derived from the pres
tiigc power always gives; and If they
threaten revolt, he has the weight of his
journal, La Republique Franchise, 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.
Democratic Cesar, and the chief Of q
great political party. In the Assembly
there are t-.o Gambettas. The ono.
swayed by his former habits Of life, in
terrupts the speakers, questions them,
and shows fearless and rough spirit OF
opposition The other appears in the tri-
bune when he rises to address the Depu-
ties. This tribune. which unneryes. ex.
cites and overawes so many speakers.
calms, cools and quiets Gambetta'
There he stands, with his head tiirOwl i
forwad as usual. 70 :. not the most re-
fined nature. His voice is more heavy
than strong. When he is pathetic Il
seems forced. His grating inyectiyes
irritate rather than destroy. Sometimes
he seems to lose himself in kind Of
sonorous language, and in curious bal
ancing of his. sentences. He is not 6
master of irony, but is, perhaps, the frs
| contemporary orator in the Assoir DIV
His voice resounds sometimes as if il
came through mask of the ancient Ro
man stage. lie becomes vehement, anG
then the tribune holds a great orator
Yet he says only what he wishes to cay
There are two nature. in this speaker
one, that of the cold politician another
that of the fiery orator. The last is the
obedient slave Of the first. When M
Gamoetta descends from the tripune
rest assured that the politician does no
regret one of the premeditated transport
Of the orator. -
LONG WHIFFLETREEs ON PLouaHs