Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-12-04

In the past eleven years that coun-
try has presented no more interest,"
Ing phases than in the events which
have thrown this eloquent tribune
to the front. It is difficult under
eur form of government to UNDER
stand the exact conditions which
surround the position Of an Execu.
tive like President Gr6vy. We
are apt to think that the Secreta-
riss Of President are a higher
grade OF staff officers-gentlemen
appointed to carry out the Execu'
tive will. Our constitution per-
mits no legislative control over
the Cabinet, except the cumbrous,
undesirable and practically impos-
sible office OF impeachment. Dur.
Ing the electoral term a wise Presi-
dent under the Federal Constitu-'
tion has power az absolute az
that Of any sovereign in the older
countries. The French, in con-
structing their Republic, have en-
deavored to combine the English
theory Of Cabinet responsibility to
. Parliament with the American
theory of executive responsibility.
President Grevy, the head OF the
French Republic, like Marshal
MscMahon and NJ. Theirs, who
preceded him, stands, SO far as leg
islative control is concerned, very
much like the English Queen. He
10 not responsible for the pol
icy of bis Cabinet. The Cabinet
deem it their duty when they
fail to hold the confidence
Of the Legislature to resign. M.
Theirs resigned upon question of
punctilio. Marshal MaoMahon
when he found the majority Of the
Legislature against him. M.
arevy reserves this supreme func-
ton, shows no intention of retir-
ing, and prefers that his Cabinet
should answer to the country for
the conduct of public affairs.
Students of French politics have
long seen the influence of M. Gam
BETA and have felt that the time
must come when this Influence
should appeal directly to the coun-
try. M. Gambetta is one Of those
extraordinary and peculiar devel-
opments Of European statesman.
ship which are best seen In coun-
try which has given Va Richie
lieu, Q Mazarin and a BOnaparte.
He IL not a Frenchman, but comes
from the italian provinces Of
France, whose people are celebrat-
cd for their subtlety, their Keen
ness of political thought and their
flexible patriotism. He is man
of the type Of Bonaparte, has
Italian blood In his veins and con-
firms the theory which has been
expressed by many philosophical
CT. tics OF French history-that the
wisest men in France have not
come from the French race. Like
Napoleon, Gambstta has shown
for his adopted country self-de-
nying and passionate affection,
which we 10 America can under
stand when we remember so
many notable sacrifices and brill
liant achievements in behalf OF the
Union by aliens. This was seen in
the Revolution, conspicuously In
the cases Of Lafayette and Rocham-
beau and Stsuben, In our later war
with England and in our war of
the rebellion. 1t might be said
that the fact of an alien birth
Strengthens the affection of the
adopted citizen for our country. In
America few of our citizens are so
thoroughly American as those who
came to US from foreign lands.
France likewise has had no states
men and no soldiers who have
served her with SO much pride as
men like Bonaparte and Gambet ta
men of Italian and not French
race.
g.
M. Gsmbetta's exceptional and
phenomenal influence in France
was one Of the results of the war
with Germany. A young M an,
fresh from the boulevards and the
cafes, what English statesmen
would call q boy, needless, reck-
less, inconsiderate, Identifying
himself with the extreme views of
French politicians, almost a COM
munard, . devotee of the devastat-
Ing doctrines Of the French Revo.
luton, penniless except 30 far as
his profession earned him bread,
without family, without social ae-
ceptancs, without those qualities
which attract success In France, M.
Gambetta came ont of the war with
Germany one Of the leading states
men of the world. Condemned by
yhfsrs, who called him q furious
mailman; despised by Guizot, who
spoke OF him az hanger-on of
eafes; with no claim upon the con-
servativs sentiment of France;
ideallzsd In the communist aron-
easements ~ = new Robsspierrs;
locked upon with fsar and hatred