The sun., 1880-11-21
Gambetta as an Opportunist.

radical members Of the Chamber OF Depu-
ties, In view Of the intimate relations which
the present Cabinet holds to GAMBETTA
Tho demonstration showed that the ad-
vanced wing OF the republicans lie no longer
satisfied with the ex-dictator, and desires
more resolute, uncompromising leadership.
The grounds OF their objection were set forth
not long ago by M. CLEMENcEAU, in re-
markable speech levelled at the very quality
which has Of late most commended GAM
BErrAs attitude to cautious and sober
minded men. M. CLEMENCEAu denounced
the principle Of "opportunlsm which is
now avowed and defended by the President
Of the Chamber as the guide and arbiter Of
his political action. What is this principle,
translated into plain English, and who
would be called exponents Of it in modern
political hstory2
Like other words on which political con-
troversies have hinged, the term oppor-
tunst is not only elastic but equivocal hav-
ing a good and bad meaning. In its best
sense it implies the precise qualities OF pa
tience, circumspection, and moderation
whose absence has been stock reproach to
French republican leaders from 1889 to our
own day. 1t postulates the nice adjustment
OF legislation to the conditions OF place,
time. and sentiment, the exact calculation
OF the friction to be encountered; in word,
that unerring recognition OF practicability
which has come to be regarded as the test OF
craftsmanship in England. but which has
never obtained very general attention or
much admiration in France. That oppor-
tunism, In fact, lies at the root OF state
craft, was the favorite text OF BURKE,
who on this head may be said to
have merely formulated principles pretty
faithfully practised by the Whig party
from the revolution of 1858. Accord
ing to BURKEs view, from which we believe
no word Of dissent has since been heard in
England. sound craftsmanship is an emil
nently practical craft. 1t is so little mat
ter Of theory that theorists are sure to fail
in it. 1t deals with the expedient and at
tainable; with what is distinctly feasible,
not what is abstractly right The possible,
indeed, barely enters into its calculations,
and upon the impossiblei it wastes no thought
at all. No doubt this posture of the mind
and this method Of procedure have seemed
homely, shabby things to the speculative
reformers and constitution mongers Of
France. But, such as they are, these no.
tions and habits OF English statesmen are,
in no humble degree, credited with the
smoothness, continuity, and permanence Of
the progress made in the past two centuries.
In France, Oh the other hand, during the
whole of the period known as the revolu-
tionary epoch, there have been but two pub
lie men in the first line Of prominence to
whom the term opportunist, in its honorable
sense, could fairly be applied. 1t would be
an auspicious thing for the French people,
and an honor to GAMBErTA, IL his course
should hereafter justify his claim to rank
beside them. One OF these opportunists was
MIRABEAU, in whom BURKE, Fox, and every
| contemporary English patriot recognized
the highest type OF craftsmanship. The
other was THEIRS. 1t Is noteworthy, in
deed that so long as MIRABEAU lived, the
course OF the French revolution received
the approval Of every friend OF liberty
on the other side Of the channel Nor
| is it any longer questioned that he, and he
alone, might perhaps have stayed the i'm
petuous current Of events which was rush
ing from reasonable reforms to the destruc-
tion Of all elements Of order; and thus he
might have founded, without bloodshed, a
free and stable government. The attitude
Of MIRABEAU during the last year OF his
life was plainly that OF an opportunist; OF a
man who knew what to do and what to leave
alone, where to strike and where to hold his
hand. No wonder that he who stood alone
in this capacity Of distinguishing the feast.
BILE from the chimerical. should have said to
the friend supporting him In his last hour
"Ah! yes; support that head. Would
could bequeath it to thee" The same ad
mirable gift OF far-seeing, slow-moving
statecraft, the same genius for the practica
BILE, was evinced in his latter years by
THEIRS, who, whatever the preference for @
constitutional monarchy with which he un
dertook the direction OF the State, forthwith
discerned that nothing but republican
form Of government was adapted to the cir
cumstances, and he declared that any othel
scheme, however preferable on abstract
grounds, was simply impossible in France
1t is admitted on all hands that GAMBET
TA's acts and utterances since the triumph
OF republican ideas was assured by the elec
tion Of NJ. GREvY and Of a strong anti-mo
narchical majority In the lower House
have undergone decided change. 1t is no
easy to recognize in the cool, long HEADED
President OF the Chamber Of Deputies tn
fierce assailant OF the DE BRoGLIE Minis
try; much less are We reminded OF the die
tator of Tours. But to us the change ap
pears analogous to that which came owe
MIRABEAU between the taking OF his seat il
the States-General and his participation il
the framing OF the Constitution Of 1871. /
should be held proof OF GAMBETTA's prac
tical ability and OF conspicuous fitness 70
the helm OF state, that he knows how to draN
the rein on his own progressive instinct
and headlong impulses; that he stops t
measure the quantity OF resistance and tn
extent Of friction; that, after having scale
the hill, he is willing to scan the prospect
! and make haste more slowly. He seems
concede the necessity of periods of quetud
and digestion in the life OF growing con