The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-30
GAMBETTA AND TIE BISHOP OF Oh
LEANS.

The venerable Bishop of Orleans has ad
dressed she following letter to the Repwb
lique Frhncaise -
IL ORLEANS, June 3, 1873
% tMonsieHr.--A number of your paper is com
munioated to me in which / read -
"'The height of clevsrness is, for instance, to
reproach the philosopher (voltaire) with hav-
ing been the friend of the King of Prussia, and
impossible not to recolleot that when French
blood was being shed oil over the country. and
our sons were sleeping in the snow, n. lEveque
( the Bishop OF ot otieaas4 IVES j4aetiiy ia+ittng
Frussisn officers to his episcopal table, and
treating them as friends, sud, possibly, after
their coffee, gave them his pastoral blessing.
Such conduct, NO doubt, qualities him to give
to others lessons of retros pective patriotism
The height of cleverness,' monsieur, is to re-
present man as having said what he did not
ssy-As having done what he did not do and,
permit me to add that. as far as You are con-
oerued, it 10 the height OF humility to have re-
couIse to cAlumnies in order to defend Vol
tsire. 1 never reproaohed Voltaire, as you
ridiculousiy represent. with mot hsving fore
for any foresight. Voltsire had seen with his
own eyes the disaster of our arms at Rosbaoh
and Voltaire was guilty of an outrage
patriotism and on the army when he found
on the French
Aussi brave dans le p illage.
Que lache dana les combats-'
(which, literally translated, means: "ThS
besotted and thievipg race, ss brave in pillage
as they are co oWsrdly in battle"
Aud also when improving Oh these insults
he added the following browning outrage on
our army 1.-THE Prussian uniform must only
be used to bring the Welches to their knees
This style and these Insults are worthy of the
man who said, The people are stupid end bar
bsrous they are mere oxen; ali they need is q
yoke and their gu sntum of hay You say that
Whilst French blood was flowing every where
/ iauntily invited to my table the Prussian
offinaTa and traakal than "a frienNa and
on. l have but one word to reply, monsieur
This is the most offensive imposture you ever
invented. The RaPPel to my knowledge, had
already INDUCED IL that cAlnmny which, at
that time, / disdaiued TO bring befor6 the judi
cial authorities Here is the truth when, at
the beginning Of November, u. Theirs passed
less negotiation at Versailles, he Condescended
to alignt at my house. Arriving in the even
ing, he started again in the morning for TOurs.
Gen. Won der Tam came to the palace early in
the morning to wait upon him, and offered bin
horses to continue his journey. He was taking
his breakfast just before leaving. u. ThierS,
very deeirOus that bis departure should not be
deferred, asked me 20 allow bin to receive the
general in the dining room. replied to II.
Thiers-'Conaider this house your own It
was Thus that General Won der Tam assisted
was not even laid for him. This in its naked
truth, is the Simple fact on which you have
built up the odious and ebominable calumny
which you are not ashamed to treat yOnr read
ere to against me. Subsequently, on the Ath
December. when Orleans once more fell into
the enemy's hands the Palace was Immediately
surrounded and occupied By $50 Prussian SOL
diers, and the whole bOuse wac invaded by
numerous Prussian staff. Daring that time no
doubt they were daily feasting and banquet
ing &c the Palace, but during that time was
kept q close prisoner in my room, two senfries
being stationed at the door, and was prohibit
ed leaving it on any account. And may tell
you, NOR sieur, the reason for their irritation,
for they did not CONCEAL it from me. In q let
ter written after COulmiers, had, in their
opinion, spoken too we'll OF the French and i'll
episcopal Palace, an ambulance Of so French
wounded. The PFGssisrs claimed fos theiE
Ambulance the rooms thus occupied by the