New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-11
Union IN FRANCE.

The orators at Gambetta grave nad ono SUD-
iect which they could discuss without exciting
controversy, and naturally they enlarged upon
il. By referring TO the heroic resistance
offered by him to the army of invasion they APP
pealed to the patriotic memories of all French
men. His most malignant foe could not have
disputed the magnitude of his services and the
inspiring feIvor of his devotion to country in
the darkest hours of humiliation and disaster.
If homage has been paid to those who, in his
own words, "had died without hope, doing
"their duty the more devotedly to the end that
they did it with the feeling that they had
anothing but their blood to give to France" it
WAS due in largest measure to him who had
created armies by the breath of his fiery elo-
quence and inspired them with his own spirit oil
inflexible purpose and heroic abnegation. But
Gambetta would merely have divided the mil
itary honors paid 10 his chief strateglst, Gen.
eral Chanzy, il his most brilliant services TO his
country had been rendered IN defence OF q
lost cause. The group OF orators found II easy
and convene nj to dedicate their CLOWN < periods
to his marvellous campaign in the South but
they knew Ia their hearts that IL was to his
leadership, self-restraint and creative genius
that the French people were indebted for an
orderly and permanent form OF republican gov
eminent. Ii was on the peaceful battlefield OF
discussion that he had triumphed most
gloriously with the concurrence and support Of
the best classes of citizens BrissOn alone had the
candor to acknowledge the GROWING services of
SO illustIious a career "Over Gambetta's
bier" he exclaimed, around which are grouped
"his friends, men of all parties, representatives
Il Al OH ~ ite nroyineee In
dear to us. we swear we will accomplish that
"unlon which was his prayer"
This was the most significant sentence spoken
at Pere la Chaise. 1t gave utteIance to an idea
which had been uprermost in Gambetta's mind
since the downfall of the reactOnary factions
which had conspired against liberal institu-
tons. During that momeGtous period of IN
trigue and suppressed excitement in 1877 his
unVarying counsel was, Republicans must be
united-they must have no dIssensions."
When he was chairman of the Budget Com
mittee and subsequently, President of the
Chamber, he succeeded in giving a common
direction to the activities of the Deputies.
Frederic Harrison assigns to him the credit Of
organizing that system of work by small select
committees which has proved sc effective In tho
Chamber, and compares his ascendancy to that
once exercised by Deak in tho Hungarian
Chamber. That ascendancy was not acquired
by speeches in the tribune, but by work in his
seat, in the Hobbies and in the committee-rooms
and as his English admrer says, it was an in
Guence gained by superior knowledge, superior
Judgment, and blythe imposing prestige of vast
political sagacity." Hisrivals broke away from
him during the closing year OF his life and di-
minished temporarily his authority in the
Chamber, but they were indebted to him for
the political machinery which they used against
him. lie had made gov ernment by select com
mittees, which retained absolute control over
the action of the administration, paramount
force, and when he became Premier he found
that he had succeeded only too we'll In provid-
ing for the Republic an organ of tremendous
simplicity, he had not intended that il should
be used by factions, but by united party lie
was irritated by the resistance of the general
staffs of impotent factions" He thought that
unity was as imperative necessity as it had
been in that desperate. hour when France lay
PROSTATE in defeat.
That necessity is recognized by the most
powerful of Gambetta's surviving associates.
Brisson, who at Pere la Cbaise called upon the
men OF all parties lactlons ana groups TO draw
closer and secure unity of effort, thought and
feeling, has been Gambetta's successor in the
Budget Committee and in the Presidency OF the
Chamber. The legislative system was per-
fected under the leaders hands, but Brisson
has not suffered it to lose any OF its weight or
force. While he has directed the energies of
the Deputies as their presiding officer he has
acquired among them an unrivalled reputation
for democratic virtue, progressive tendencies
and personal influence. BIissOn is the strongest
man to-day In French politics. Inferior as
an orator to Clemenceau, he is more reasonable
in his Radicalism. Lacking the administrative
talents of the ex-Premiers OF the Left Centre
and the Pure Left, he has undoubted political
capacity and genuine qualities of leadership.
If the Republic were to Ie suddenly depr,e ed of
President Grevy's services. Brisson would be
chosen his successor without serious opposition.