The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-10
Ghe 9ailg Arsas.
ROCK ISLAND. ......... ILLINOIS
concluded from second maze. J

ar-f kNoaOAu0C0 1IOLu second page,
put by legal means to conflicts which oscil-
late between the ridiculous and the tragic.
Inc lie OF statesman is far too valuable
to be imported at the bidding of the first
individual who chooses to pick quarrel
with him, but it is clear that public opin-
ION Is not against the practice, and nothing
out new legislation on the subject will put
a stop to the evil. In this particular case
M, Gambetta was certainly not justified in
using an supplementary expression, and
1t would have been by no means nsath
his dignity to withdraw it, but there is no
doubt that he is strong and perfectly JUS
unable personal anlmus against NJ. de
fourtou, who was minister of the
interior when the government
convicted the great orator
for having declared that Marshal MacMa-
hon had only one of two alternatives open
to him in the dilemma into which he had
been thrust by evil counsellors; the asser-
ton that he must either resign or yield
conveyed covert compliment, inasmuch
as it dismissed as discreditable to his hon.
or the insinuation made by numberless re-
dictionary writers and speakers that he in
tended to attempt coup d etdt, but M.
Gambetta was actually sentenced to be in
prisoned, and he was still under sentence
when the marshal verified the orators
words. The absurdity of carrying out
conviction under such circumstances would
have been too great and moreover NJ.
Gambetta was from that moment 50 pow
ertul that the thing was out of the ques-
ton. NJ. Gambetta naturally looks upon
! the then minister of the interior as re-
hn
which was inflicted upon him. 1t must be
conceded that M. de Fourtou's speech OF
the other day was pr0vocation 10 the ex.
IRENE. He deliberately accused NJ. Gam
beta OF having at AK declared war
against all Frenchmen who were not amin
ated by the old Republican faith" Now
NJ. Gambetta's words quoted by an eve
ming paper we're these: There is no ex-
clusiveness in our Republic. All can enter,
Our arms are open TO all. We have too
passionate desire to repair the losses of
France to exclude any Frenchman from
the work OF the restoration of the country"
These noble and patriotic words certainly
do not bear the Interpretation put upon
| them by the ex-minister and it is easy to
understand NJ. Gambettas indignation at
hearing himself thus misinterpreted If
the unparliamentary language of NJ Gam
beta cannot be defended, his behaviour is
consenting to risk his life merely because
NJ, de Fourtou chose to take up hasty
word is still less to be excused. His posi-
ton is too high, and his existence too val
liable to be lightly imperilled. He holds
the greater part of France 10 the hollow of
his hand, and it is not for such a
man to take up provocation which
might be Systematically renewed by a mum
Der of confederates determined to per
servere until they had wreaked their VEN
geance on the popular tribune. NJ. de
Fourtou cannot, however be reckoned
among these bandits; indeed, the comba-
tants of yesterday were well matched nj.
de Fourtou is particularly shortsighted,
and NJ CANT BETA has only one eye. No
wonder that on an exceedingly toggy morn
ing neither OF the com batants succeeded in
hitii0g the other. Both must be held to
be for the future as freed from the charge
of braggad0cio as from that of cowardice.
10 order to lead people to imagined that
the difficulty had been arranged, NJ
Gambetta spent the preceding evening at
the Ministry of Agricultural, where he
dined, while NJ de Fourtou passed at bis
at the Opera. Now that Nj, Gambetta q
fat seS preuues, it is to be hoped that he
will proclaim his intention Of never again
going out. and that he will thus place i,
beyond the power of any political antagon.
ist TO get him out Of the way. To show
how welded Frenchmen are to their habit
! of dueling, it is only necessary to read
the "Ordre' OF this evening in which tht
admirable suggestions made in yesterday
Temps" to settle all differences by Paria
ment regulations are held Up to ridicule
1t is to be feared. Indeed, that these woulC
not be sufficient and that nothing would
suffice but long term of Imprisonment
administered without mercy to anyon,
7 convicted of the sending of a challenge.