New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-04
G1uBETT1 on AMNESTY.
his SPEECH IL The CHAMBER, JUNE II
Porie DiSDaicb 10 gHe London Tunes.


al have yielded to an imperative feeling of duty
in asking the Chamber 10 hear me on tins question:
Not that the great measure proposed by tne 'O'-
eminent is the work of any single person LOT the
Government before putting the last touch TO tins great
work of dissolution. thought 10 perhaps necessary 10
ascertain the opinion not of one man. but Of all the
Republicans in the two Chambers. In that, ana no
other capacity, the members were convened III
would be deroQatOfy to me were to discuss mere
unfounded insinuatiOns. Suffice IL to saw am no
more above the Government than am ALONGSIDE
NJ. de CnSsagnac. | am in my place. the post 70
which your confidence has raised me but should
ilI-ndersand its duties II on 50 serious question
/ were selishy and indterently to shlrk my share
of responsibility and collaboration. NJ; 90
Cassagnac has spoken of a municipal election held
Yesterday an election without permanent bearing
az exciting apprehensiOns out OF doors and dIs-
quietlng our Left Centre friends / do not wish
such disquietude 10 be excited, and even had THAI
election had more accentuated character the
amnesty would be meme the less necessary. There
is no other way OF getting rid of shameless recrmi-
nations to the civil war; As long as the question
remains open, even as regards an unworthy per,
sOnage certain number of minds Will be excited
and mised. Instead of the amnesty being policy
of capitulatOn, it is one of grouping and con;
centIaton. 1t was inevitable pIlor TO the general
so as to prevent its being traded upon. Eleven
years ago when discussing the plsbiscite. was
afraid the question was not clearly put before tho
country. Remember that il you adjourn the
amnesty till the time of the general elections the
pardon accorded TO the people of the Commune VIII
be made sedtious capital Of while If you accord
it now it will be like the sinister forebodngs which
accompanied a year ago our return to Paris;
wen, we nave 1ulue tue lu2
admirable calm of the people of Paris has answered
these interested prophecies. Experience also Will
months hence we again come before universal
suffrage shall DO able 10 testify that since the
amnesty silence and OBLIVION have been cast over
Opportune and counselled it. did not must say,
expect any objection to be raised to IL In this
Chamber. | do not say that those who deem the
Governments measure premature can. without
insulting them. be called Oreanists. those VINO
are speaking, to-day. who have drawn up declara-
deserve gratitude, for they may momentarily be
divided from us: | know the value IN hours OF
peril of the moderate and firm men, and remem-
Der that happy interruption of Nj. de Cholseui,
We founded the Republic together; we shall not
forget it. To disayow them would be lngrati-
operation that able 10 traverse that
terrible years ordeal behind u.s. and therefore
now. when we have arrived at the other side of this
dangerous passage we have to say 10 these valiant
friends. DO not let us divide, especially ON .
measure OF pardon and clemency. Remain with
u.s. 1t is TO the honor of the Republican Govern
ment to have Gained down passions, founded the
Republic, brought back the Chambers to Paris,
restored their country to the Frenchmen who were
compromised in the civil war, without having DIS
turbed public order. The Government has the right
to ask You to follow it. and it is right to ask you
to ask your conscience what will 10 the advance
ment of a policy of concord 1t has the right
to ask, Will you, yes or no, agree to the amnesty
some dayP Not one Of you would say. Never
There ARE none of you who are for an implacable
policy. The political question is whether there
exists moment more favorable for IT. No, there is
i have listened to the country l have studied
the tendency of mems minds resolved not to yield
to the mpatience even legitimate, of my friends
when it seemed To me premature l have lisrened
to public opinion in the press. in its electoral maui
festai0ns and thus enlightened have arrived atny
conviction know France has no enthusiasm for the
amnesty she has not forgotten what these crimes
cost her; she oathes their heroes. and if she had
only To pronounce Judgment. II would be written
in lnefdceable characters There is great WEAKNESS
of the question, exasperated fatigue at the per-
petual repetition of the word amnesty. and tho
war. Where is the use of resisting it any longerf
There will always, indeed. be two parties--one
ardent for progress. and the other anxious for
caution and deberation but the barberous term
Opportunism conceals true policy, and should
stand between the two parties combining tho
generous warmth of one with the prudence of the
a measure which would hf been facilitated had
1t been surrounded with more prudence To the
latter i say The time has come To solve the uues.
ton; but between you. the professional anarchists
fomenters of disorder there is an army composed
OF honest men incapable of drifting into those
detestable doctrines Republic is the strongest
government against demagogism. because it combats
not IN the name OF dynasty. but in that OF law.
Europe a few months ago uneasy and thought
this measure premature, a view which materially
influenced its postponement. | am less inclinrd
than anyone 10 consult tho foreigner for our
determinations but France is not island. She
is placed beween ancient and respected monarchies
and is bound TO take into account their suscepti-
bilities and apprehenSOnS Republican patriotism
has secured for France her nghtlul place ia the
European concert and she has now earne, AS great
confidence IN her moral power aud political station
as was previously felt IN her economic resources.
50 that on collecting the impressions OF European
politicians find the response unanimous. loU can
pass the amnesty; Il no longer terries
Europe. II has been said that the 18th of
July is national festival a rendezvous AZ which
for the first tme the army, the legitimate or-an VI
the nation, will find Itself face 70 face with tho
Government, 10 resume those c0lors. alas 50
odiOusly abandOned' In the presence OF the nation
whose representatives will be at the side OF tho
army, that ospOir Supye e Sgpr6glo pensee a. tho
has SnII hA
work of these ten years ought Ia be closed aud
oblivion thrown over tho crimes aud yestiges OF
the Commune, SO that bOsh those whose absence IA
deplored and those whose Inconsistencies and dis
cord are regretted may be told that there IL but
one France and enc Republic"