, 1880-08-04

most illustrious of them is here, and
is doing me the honour of listening to
me. Well, before that solemn inquiry,
dreaded by some and solicited by
others, which, as for myself, it SEEM
ed to me would have been legitimate
had it been proposed in other circum-
stances and with other rules, which |
demanded-I recollect it, and it is
teachings such as these that have
made that measured policy from
which l shall never DEPART said,
Consult the country, but with certain
guarantees, and especially by draw
ing up precise questions yourselves
| feared the country would be asked
to choose between the terrible alterna-
tive of everything or nothing, between
government and anarchy"
This passage, which has absolutely
no justification in the speech, shows
NJ. Gambetta's schemes in a very
clear light. Before this Chamber
breaks up he will once more appear
at the tribune, and this time it will
be to defend the scYMtim de Iste. He
will get it voted, as he did the amnes-
ty, for all who were to vote against it
would know they would not figure
on his list, and few members of the
Left would willingly risk not figuring
on it. A forthcoming pamphlet by a
young and able writer, NJ. Joseph
Reinach, is announced. l do not
know what that pamphlet will say,
but [ know that it has been inspired
by NJ. Gambetta, a tact which will
not astonish anybody who has reflect
ed on the above-quoted passage. sWsll,
M. Gambetta, who admits the pIe6isciss TO
be Legitimate when it is held 10 certain cir.
cumstances and with certain rules, will of
course have recourse to it, and the Cor
gress will only appoint him President OF
the Republic alter the country has alIuaay
de facto proclaimed him. His name will
appear in every department on the list Of
Opportunist Republicans, and it will be on
the programme he lays before the electors
when the next elections will be held. AS
to the result, there can be no doubt. If
the electors were consulted to-day, the
reply would be formidable, and it will
still be so. unless something extraordinary
occurs in the mean tine. Except in some
of the cities, where the list of the Irrecon-
cilabIes will carry the day, and 10 some of
the western and northern departments
where Monarchicsl and Bonapartist ideas.
prevail, the Opportunists' list. with NJ.
Gambetta at its head, will triumph 10 the
great majority of the constituencies. Ger.
tainly, it is said NJ. Gambetta will not be
the only one this occasion to elicit a pLs6S-
cate on his name, but I do not think be
need fear any serious competition from
those who may be tempted to set up their
princely against bis. Democratic
France 10 glad to Gee itself personlisd in
this man, who has just shown it where
there is a personal will governing it. IL
knows that this man will never be ridiculous
enough to change hisstitle Of President, which
suits him. for sny more pretenti0us dsnomi.
nation. which would make him the laugh.
ing-stock of Europe. It feels that be 10
the only man who can resolutely advance,
and therefore, making perhaps 9 virtue Of
necessity. its suffages will not be scatter.
cd over competitors without q chance. And
when the new Chamber meets with this man
elected..p vbaps so times over, at its head.
the power will naturally fall into his hands.
But I do not believe he will or can think
of taking it sooner. To do so would be
without reason or profit. He has the