Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-01-28

and people reasoned that here was man
who wished to restore the Napoleonic meth
ods, and who perhaps harbored Napoleonic
ambition also. Now it is not only in the
nature OF republics to be jealous of special
genius, but such jealousy is justified and
the history of France above that of other
countries abounds with the most solemn
warnings against man. worship. Gambetta,
however, has not sought to allay suspicion,
but on the contrary he has in his very latest
act SO comported himself as to increase it.
For IN preparing his scheme of constitu-
tional revision, he declared that the princi-
pie of the scrutin de hste had been In a
special way indorsed by the constituencies,
which had also demanded revision of the
Constitution Now it is very certain that
whatever the French voters may really
think on these points, they have not as yet
expressed themselves in any way. The
last political campaign wss very short, and
neither revision of the Constitution nor
scratia de Este were mentioned during it.
In thus claiming popular Endorsement for
his programme, therefore. MIR. Gambetta
has committed mistake which his enc
mics doubtless call deliberate attempt to
mislead and deceive the Chamber.
Yet this was very grave error for
the Premier to commit, because it
really gave his enemies the opportunity of
putting him in the wrong and themselves
in the hight. They could say, with truth,
that the people had not demanded the
scr1tia de Hste, and challenge him for the
proof. He could of course produce none,
and then he would be ehargeable with
having simulated popular demand in
order to create an excuse for the further.
ance of his own ambition. Perhaps
Gambetta is the best man TO govern
France at present, but certainly he
is not self contained, we'll balanced
man. He has inherited, with his
southern blood, too much impulsiveness,
and he is very prone to outstrip his
opportunities, as he has done in the present
instance. The rejection of his bill by the
Chamber is undoubtedly equivalent to 8
vote of want of confidence in his ministry,
and though he was not bound to resign
because of this defeat, it is probably the
| ,,,o,I ,o,,;hlo tb;,r, bo oc,JJ Jo To- - :,
evident that for the moment at least his
policy is discredited. His government ha:
| been beaten on a vital measure, and it i.
impossible to say that it represents any
thing any longer. 1t certainly did notstant
for any pronounced public sentiment OF
the scrttti1s de Gste, and it is now clear thai
it had only minority on its side in tn,
| Chamber. Under such circumstances
therefore resignation was the only cours,
remaining.
Gambetta having resigned, however
will at once begin to regain his power
for his greatest strength has always beer
in opposition, and at this moment it is very
doubtful whether it will be found poEslbl,
to form government without him. If i
is possible the new Government will have
very troublesome time, and indeed it il
clear that French politics must for con
siderable period be embarrassed by thi
fall of the Gambetta ministry. But W,
think it is becoming more apparent to clos,
observers that Gambetta has shown him
self much less capable than he appeared
when he was merely an active and ag
gressive tout" His ministerial cours,
has not been distinguished by great sagac
ity. He has developed a personal ambition
which has seemed to blind him to expe
diency, and we are of opinion that by
making this too evident he has precipitatet
his fall. Gambetta, indeed, never coulc
have been mistaken for statesman of the
first rank. At least he is only better thar
the frivolous or impractical men by whom
he has been surrounded. He possesses
certain fire and force which has given hin
power over his followers, but at bottom
his character is tainted with gaudy melo.
dramatic tendency which is largely mixed
with the instincts of the demagogue. 1t is
by no means clear that he would make q
good permanent head for the republic, OF
that he could be trusted with power which
he would not abuse.