New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-11
GAuBET7A AND CLEMENCEAU.

GAMBET7A AND CLEMENCEAU.
Two incidents of the closing tOrtni ght Of the
French Parliament are admirably described
by our regular French correspondent on
another page of this issue The first is the
death of NJ Gambettas mother, which is
classed among political events because 1t d.
verified an attack from his most brilliant adj
versarv and softened many hearts which had
been estranged from him for many months.
The great tribune received the melancholy
news with a paroxysm of grief like true child
of the South, and even his most unsympathetc
critics, respecting his dlial sorrow, clasped his
hands in silence Such an episode would have
been impossible IN any other Parliament. There
is no evidence that Nj. Gambetta was one whit
more thoughtful and tender in his attentions
TO his mother than our own President Oarleld
was in his fia devotion, but the sanctlty OF
the relation is not understood here as 1t Is there
The authority of the French mother over her
child, ana the veneratlon with which that chlid,
if he be true to national traits and race IN
stncts, regards the mother, form religious
side of family life which is lacking III other
countries. NJ. Naquet was forced to respect
that relation even when he struck blow ut
the unity of the family. His Divorce bill,
which has recently passed the lower Chamber
authorizes a legal separation OF husband ana
wife on the score of incompatbility OF temper
nroyided they can obtain the permission OF
their own parents as well as make arrange
ments for the maintenance OF their own chill
drep. Those parental rights have received the
direct sanction of common law, custom and
tradition. and are recognized even in measure
designed to facilitate the disruption of families
and to legalize disObedience to the Roman
Church. The sympathy and respect evinced
by NJ. Gambetta's rivals and associates in the
hour of his atlliction had a deeper source than
parliamentary courtesy. They were for the
moment on holy ground, and they ceased to be
politicians and were Frenchmen. Undoubtedly
their emotion was shared by the French
people who cling to what they hold as most
sacred in the circle of family life, even iii an
era of irreligious frenzy when hallowed asso-
Citations are lightly regarded.
The second episode is the impression made
| by NJ Clemenceaus reference to Jefferson In
his speech in opposition to military lnteTyen-
| ton. He had been advocating foreign policy
| based on abstract ideas of justice and had con-
tended that the relative duties of one nation
toward another were the same as those which
individual men owe to one another. This was
the teaching of illustrjOus Frcnchmen in the
eighteenth century, and it was on that account,
the orator added, that Jefferson said Every
"man has two countries: his native and
France -; and he was pIOud to belong to
nation which with all its faults merited that
eulocium Our correspondent describes this
massage rs making profound impression and
awakening fine feeling of true patriotism.
| We think that JeiiersOn's words might have
been quoted with more effect year ago, when
France was entering upon the conquest OF
Tunis in open violation of abstract justice and
international law But Nj. Clemenceau is not
to be held responsible for that glarng crime,
for he stood almost alone in opposing the cam
paign and the treaty dictated to the Bey by
French bayOnets. The fact, however, that he
has made so logical defence of the policy of
non-intervention and pacific development,
and has exerted so powerful an influence upon
the Deputies, is not to be passed over i'll ST.
lencc This was the speech hich virtually
overturned the Ministry and remanded France
to policy of inaction in Egypt. Our CORE
spondents summary of the argument deserves,
therefore, critical attention.
NJ. Clemenceau, like NJ. Gambetta, is in the
prime OF mallllOOu, having recently IuShtu HIS
fortieth year. Breton by birth, he has
been a hard student and successful physician
and has carried into politics intellectual yigor
and the practical instincts of man of science.
He has sometimes been called a new Robes
pierre Just as VI. Gambetta has been STYLED a
new Danton. He does not share either the
petty les OF the great weaknesses OF Robes
pierre lie is neither vain, sentimental nor
bloodthirsty. He does not represent the
faraticism of anarchy. He does resemble
Robespierre in tireless energy and III his dog
matte adhcreuc &c to abstract theories OF govern
ment and human action. His associations have
hitherto been with that group of irreconcilable
radicals known as the + xtreme Left but his
influence has been felt all along the Republican
line. With his doctrinal speeches on the reign
of reason, the pacific destiny of republics,
and the enlightened judgment of democracies
with his incisive eloquence and practical i'll
stincts, NJ. Clemenceau is apparently be-
coming force among the spent regulations in
French politics.