Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-10
Gambetta.

the ruins of the second empire, seemed to
depend upon his patriotic fervor, upon the
implicit confidence reposed in him by the
great, sober, industrial class, and upon the
wholesome respect and caution among for
eign nations which his wonderful powers
inspired. Gambetta had barely entered
that period of life when mans mental
capacity ordinarily reaches its full develop
ment; but in the ripeness wrought by expe-
rience and the fame won by great achieve
ments, he was the senior of many Of the
gray-haired statesmen of Europe. Like
Napoleon, like Columbus, native Of Italy,
of humble birth, he was like them endowed
with genius for great things. His oppor-
tunity came. He embraced it and became
the leader and the inspiring genius in the
bold movement which led TO the foundation
of government which has thus far put to
confusion all the prophets of evil, which
has demonstrated the capacity Of the French
for self government, and which year by year
has given evidence of growing forbear-
ance and an intelligent understanding and
practice of the principles of a republican
form of government.
Gambetts was lawyer and commenced
the practice of his profession in Paris. He
had the hardihood in 1868, at the age Of
thirty, to defend the editor Of newspaper
against Louis Napoleon's public prosecu-
tors. That he had offered his columns to
a subscription for monument to victim
of the coup detat, was the editors offense.
The young advocate transformed an ordi-
nary case in an inferior court into state
trial. He impeached the empire in a speech
of impassioned energy and dauntless cour-
age. He was the Patrick Henry of the &C.
casion. Twenty-four hours before he was
unknown. This speech made him famous
His furious eloquence aroused the liberal
element throughout the empire. He became
the recognized leader of the 1rreconciables
He was elected to the national legislature.
In that body he was thorn in the side of
the emperor. The war came and he patri-
otically supported his country. AS the for
tunes of the French waned he was made
war minister, and his boundless energy and
strong executive ability enabled him in
hundred thousand men. He declared for
resistance even after resistance was in
vain. He fairly won the respect of the ma
ton by his services at this crucial period,
and though he retired from the military
service of the republic his work as states
man was thenceforward to make pro-
found impression upon the destinies Of
France and Europe. After the fall of
Sedan and the deposition of Louis Napoleon
he moved in the Corps Logislatif the es-
tablishment of the republic, which was in
stantly decreed. A provisional government
was formed and Gambetta became its rul-
ing spirit. The Germans closely besieged
Paris. He remained in the city for some
time, but being directed to repair TO Tours,
the ancient capital of France and the seat
of government of the new republic, he sailed
high above the heads of the besiegers in a
balloon and came down at Amiens. BY the
exhibition of marvellous capacity for Or
ganization, by his magnetic appeals, he
raised new armies to send against the in
vaders. Had his heroic efforts been sup
plemented by military leadership of equal
force and ability King William might never
have received the capitulation of Paris
He preached war to the bitter end against
the Germans and denounced as reasonable
Bazaine's surrender of Metz. In 1871 the
national assembly was summoned to estab-
lish government with which the Germans
could arrange the terms of treaty of peace.
Gambetta issued an edict that no man who
had held Office under the empire should
take part in the election. Bismarck an
nulled this edct and Gambetta resigned
and withdrew to Spain. Several districts
elected him to the assembly. He entered
that body as member from Paris and be-
came the leader of the radical republicans.
To bitter speech delivered by him at
Grenoble is ascribed the reaction against
the republic which resulted in the retire.
ncho VI anu III OhC lItolucuCy VI
MacMahon. He was the leader of the move
ment which resulted in 1879 in the resigna-
ton of MacMahon, rather than subscribe to
the measures of the ministry regarding mil
itary commands. "Subscribe or resign"
was the watchword of Gambetta. The
country sustained him, and MacMahon was
succeeded by President Grevy, the prudent,
unpretending head of the republic to-day.
Except for brief period in 1881 when he
was prime minister, Gambetta held no
higher office than that of deputy,-a men,
Der of the lower branch of the national
legislature. His favorite project during the
latter years of his life was a constitutional
amendment providing for the election of
all the deputies of the departments upon
single tickets, just as presidential electors
are chosen in this country. The existing
practice is election by districts, just as rep
resentatives to congress are elected in the
United States. His purpose was by mass
ing the republican vote in the departments
to overcome the hostile intrigues and pow
erful local influence of imperialists and mon.
archists. He failed to secure the adoption
OF this measure.
The effect of Gambetta's death upon the
fortunes of republican France is variously
estimated, and the estimates vary with the
varying bias of his critics. In this coun.
try comment follows to some ext tent in the
ruts worn by the late political controversies
here. Those who are terror-stricken by the
phantom of bossism" see in his advocacy
| of the constitutional amendment relating to
the election of deputies, a dangerous scheme
to crafty his own personal ambition. In q
hundred ways in the later years of his polit
ical life he has shown an intelligent conserv
atism and at all times he displayed the
traits of honest unselfish patriotism. Nc
moral or mercenary stain attaches to his
public life. Outside Of France he had nc
more ardent admirers than in America
None will more sincerely deplore his early
DEATH Americans recognize the fact thai
their sister republic, their traditional FRIEND
and ally, has been deprived of one of it
grandest pillars, but they still have faitl
that the structure has not been sensibly
weakened. Events have gone far towards
demonstrating that the republic is stronge
than any single citizen however eminent
| Germany shows by the utterances of he