Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-11-19
FRANCE.
THE SEARCH PoR GaMBETrA AND
WHERE he WAS.
Political Changes = From a Palace to
Lodgings-Insanity Of "a
Caricaturist.
Paris, October "a, 1881.

Caricaturist
PARIS, October "a, 1881.
Gambetta has for some years past found
it difficult to disappear beyond the range
of public observation, and however fiat
tering it may be to have ones actions con-
stantly commented upon, he has on more
than one occasion wished he were for the
time but an ordinary man, entitled to mo
ments of oblivion, and could have the
same amount of current charity expended
on his shortcomings. When the fatigue
and anxiety of the last elections were over,
Gambetta suddenly disappeared. Each
intimate friend, not wishing the others to
know that he had been left in ignorance
as to the eminent orators movements, in
vented likely tale as to his whereabouts,
so that one journal. had him in one place,
another journal in another place, and sc
on, each one informed by reliable author.
ity, until one was forced to believe the
President of the Chamber of Deputies
must necessarily be omnipresent. At last
it became evident that no one in reality
knew where he had gone nor where he
was. Then became the question of the
day: Where is Gambetta? The solution
was as earnestly sought for as the puzzle OF
sou EST LIE cHAT?'
Which SO occupied the public attention
some three years ago. Everybody became
lost in his own personal conjectures. An
intimate friend of Gambetta, who had
hitherto held his peace, confdentially in
formed some one that that important per-
sonage was nowhere else than at Ostend,
whittier he had repaired to take sea baths
and at the same time escape from politics
and political friends. This version of the
matter was at first accepted, until persons
from Ostend sent word that he had not been
seen there during the season. Where is
Gambetta p then became the general cry /;
not from uneasiness that he might not turn
up again, but he was sort of public prop
erty, and had no right to dispose of him.
self without their knowledge. When it
became known that Mr.. Grevy, the Presi-
dent of the Republic, had at last decided
to yield to public opinion and sacrifice his
special protege, Jules Ferry, by calling
upon Gambetta to form Cabinet, the anx-
iety for the return of the President of the
Chamber of Deputies redoubled. So much
SO did the public consider him their special
property that it seemed to them perfectly
natural he should be made Minister with
out even being consulted. At last Mr..
Gambetta
APPEARED ON THE SCENES,
When the mystery of his absence was
cleared away. He had not been to Bel
GUM or to Switzerland, but to Germany.
Well might suspicious persons on this
occasion say "Que diable .taisait-I dams
cette galere ?" 1t is not forgotten that he
was urgent to continue the Franco Prussian
war, when older and calmer heads pro-
nounced such measure most disastrous.
True, Gambetta is to-day older and wiser,
but it is remembered that In his speech at
Cherbourg he was accused by Mr.. Frey.
cinct of using warlike words, which accu-
sation compelled Mr.. Freycinct to later
retire from the Ministry. General Fare
is Gambetta's friend, and when he became
Minister of War he was expected to do
Gambettas bidding as promptly as was
Mr.. Ferry to perform that of Mr.. Jules
Grevy. The responsibility of the Tunis
war reverts to General Fare, and if he was
in that instance advised and influenced by
the "power behind the throne" may it
not be that Gambetta's warlike propensi.
ties have in this found an outlet? Or may
it not be that he has intended the Tunis
war to be preparatory school for more
important campaign? Why is it that the
orators eyes turn SO longingly and regret.
fully towards Alsace and Lorraine, when
his home is in the south of France, and
Italian blood flows in his veins Is it not
strange that he should so chafe at the loss
of the two provinces, while Alsatians them.
selves sorrowfully but patiently await the
moment when tSeir native country shall
peaceably be declared an independent
State? 1t is safe to wager that Gambetta
aspires more to the honors of statesman
than to those of an orator, and he is ambi
tious to match his strength with such a
herculean foe as Bismarck himself All
the journals were careful to explain that
Mr.. Gambetta had gone to Germany for
no other purpose than to see his favorite
nephew, who is at present residing there
in order to acquire the language; that he
took advantage of his presence in the
country to visit the principal cities of the
German empire that he travelled incognito
and enjoyed his journey unaccompanied.
The public learned for the first time that
Mr.. Gambetta had any nephew at all, and
particularly that he had favorite nephew
who was perfecting himself in the German
language. 1t is easy to suppose, notwith.
standing the pleasure excursion, that his
one eye directed sharp glances at the mill.
tary condition of the country, and COM
pared it with his studies at Cherbourg
and of other Notifications of France.
That he holds the future destinies of
France in his own hands is conviction
shared by many others with himself, and
it is probable he is at present concerned
about the future glory of France, whose
bright halo is to surround his own person.
War to him, as, alas to too many of the
present generation, is means to brilliant
end, and it is by the aid of arms he would
desire the Republic to become renowned in
history.
THE REPUBLIC ALWAYS,
For if there is one thing the eminent ora
tor passionately loves it is this same Re-
public, which he has so intelligently aided
to establish, and which he guards with the
jealous eyes of an affectionate parent.
Tor that reason he is ambitious for her su.
periority, and not only desires that France
should be first in the arts and sciences,
but would have her first in war as well.
With the prophetic eye of superior intelli-
gence he sees further ahead than his con-
temporaries, without losing sight, howev-
er, Of the surrounding obstacles to be over
come on the road he has chosen, and should
he make mistake, dreaded even by his
friends, and bring misfortune upon the Re-
public, it may be said that it was because
he loved her not wisely but too well. I'm.