The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-01-03

disasters of the war V - Prussia, but
after the catastrophe, SssS sdan he took a
foremost place amOnJ 8 advocates of a
Republic. On SepteT 4th he was pro-
claimed member of Provisional Gov
ernment of Nati/ Defense, named
next day Ministe the Interior, and
three days aftey ds published, with
the assent of his cOheagues, a manifesto
calling for the election of constituent
assembly, this being followed b. an
other proclamation for the TeOrganiza-
tiOn of the municipal governments. The
rapid advance of the enemy, and the in
vestment of Paris, made the execution
of these orders of the Government inn
practicable.
Being appointed member of the or
ganizatiOn for the national defense in
the provinces, Gambetta got out by the
balloon route, and was active in the work
of organizing armies; but the trained
troops of Prussia and its allies proved
too much. He finally resigned his posi-
tiOn and retired across the border to
Spain. After peace had been concluded
he was elected to the National Assembly
in nine districts. As a member of the
Assembly he has exhibited moderation
and self-cOntrOl not previously expect
ed, saying moderation is political wis
DOM" "lt is true" he said, 81 do not al
ways appear consistent in politics.
am of school that POUNDS its belief on
analysis, on observation, on the study
of facts, ON the collection and cOmpaTi-
son of ideas; of a school that takes ac-
count of the influence of races, OF ten
dencies, of prejudices, and of hOstilities.
Political action never is and never can
be the same"
The election of 1876 placed him as the
leader of the Democratic Republican
majority, and he at once declared in ia
VOr of combination against the enemies
of liberal administration. His motion
that the Chamber had no confidence in
Mac cMahOn's cabinet was sustained by a
vote of 1868 to 154. The Senate sided
with the cabinet, and the chamber was
dissolved. The political campaign that
followed was one of great bitterness,
and Gambetta became more and more
OutspOken in his opposition to MacMa-
hon. At last the limit was reached. In
banquet at Lille he concluded his
speech with the significant words:
when France has proclaimed its mean
ing with its sovereign voice, it is we'll
understood, he must either submit or
resign" The speech caused a sensa-
tiOn throughout Europe. Gambetta and
the editor of the paper in which the
speech was reproduced were prosecuted
LOT I'LL OubuSb dBdluSI bue person OF bQ6
President of the Republic and the Min
listers. Gambetta was condemned to
three months in prison and fine of 2
900 francs, but appealed against the de-
cisiOn. In the meantime he was elect
ed to the Chamber, and aDout the same
time Theirs died, leaving Gambetta al
most without opposition as the leader
of the Republicans.
From that time his progress towards
power was uninterrupted. Early in 1873
he said at public meeting at Marseil-
les: "FOr myself, | have always said l
have been a man of government and not
a man of opposition. One year of power
is more fruitful than ten years of heroic
opposition" His fighting of the Govern
ment was continued until the downfall
of MacMahOn and the election to the
Presidency of Grevy. As President of the
Chamber he was the conspicuous figure
of the French Republic. He failed to
secure change in the constitution to
substitute the "scrutin de liste" for the
"scTutin d. reimbursement" in the mode
of electing members. Near the close of
1881 he was forced by public opinion to
to take the premiership; and his old foes
made fierce war upon him, and about
one year ago his ministry was defeated
and he resigned. He has been looked
upon as the man of the future for France.
His death was caused by erysipelas,
brought on by an accidental pistol shot
wound in the hand. His system must
have been in bad state, and he has
been accused of high living and other
indiscretiOns. He was a man of parts,
and patriot.