Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-03
The DEATH OF aAMBErrA.
con Gambetta has filled a distinguished

20 practlcal uehiocIacy eheu sno
dictatorship which Gambetta so long main
tanned. It is not a compliment to repub-
lie to say that it's destinies are dependent
upon an individual nor can that be
stable Government, or truly republican
one. in which the national executive and
his ministers are little better than puppets,
who hold their places at the will of some
"power behind the throne" 1t is very
significant fact in the career of the states.
man who hal just passed away, that he
was unwilling to serve his country as
Premier unless he was given an authority
which would have enabled him to defy the
will of the Chamber of Deputies. Whether
the views which he entertained were
wiser and more farsighted than those of
the Chamber is not relevant considera-
ton. What is perfectly apparent is that he
was very intent upon subjeeting all around
him to his personal will and this is as.
suredly the tendency of an autocrat other
than of a patriot.
Gambetta has always been the object Of
extravagant praise for his conduct during
the war with Germany. Yet cool review
of the facts certainly does not justify these
laudations. After it had become perfectly
apparent to all dispassionate observers that
the militant resources of France were for
the time being completely exhausted; af-
ter it had become equally clear that the
only wise course for patriotic states
man was to recognize the utter futility of
further resistance, and to avoid further eff
fusion of blood, by accepting terms from
the victorious invaders; Gambetta effected
his escape from Paris in melo-dramatic
way, and undertook to prolong the vain
struggle by raising Southern army.
Judgment was passed upon this measure
very swiftly. The only effect was to null
tiply disasters. The new levies which were
hastily called together under the stimulus
of Gambetta's feverish and hysterical ap-
peals, were only capable of adding to the
They went down before the
veteran German legions at every contact.
They could not for one moment relax the
iron grip which the invaders had fastened
upon Paris. The whole scheme proved
most dismal failure, and its only result was
to make perfectly useless and unnecessary
additions TO the already appalling lists of
dead and wounded.
Gambetta proceeded to carry into his
public life a craving for revenge. He
caused it to be understood that he was
only awaiting his opportunity to resume
the struggle. Nor can it be questioned
that if he had lived he would have staked
the future of his country upon another war,
and in all probability with the same re.
suits as before. He was not, in fact, a
statesman for peace. All his tendencies
were in the direction of sensationaIism
His hot Southern blood could not be kept
quiet. What was needed after the war
with Germany was long period of rest
and recovery. The nation was sick of war;
1t demanded to be let alone to pursue its
industries. All the legislation it required
was in aid of commerce and agriculture
and industry generally. But Gambetta
was always most occupied about army
and the scrmin de Este, which
was to give him absolute control of the
Chamber. And his fall from power
showed that however much the French
people may have admired his talents, and
however they may have believed in his
they did not confde in his
nor approve the foreign policy
which he was known to hold. Nor did he
ever regain public confidence after the
collapse of his ministry. He retained
enough strength to interfere with, and
ever to break down, other Cabinets, but
not enough to make one for himself.
Had he lived it is of course possible that
he might have recovered his prestige, but
Only VI Lue CUHultlOu tnds nO Juliet Strung
man could be found to take the direction
of affairs. Aud had that reinstatement
occurred it is not doubtful that it would
have been detrimental to the true interests
of the French republic. For Gambetta
was not q cool and deliberative man, nor
was he a scrupulors one. He was capable
of taking all manner of advantages. He
was capable also of being tempted to do
things which must have impeached his
patriotism. Had he obtained the scrmm
de liSte, it is nearly certain that he would
have been led into such mistake. He
did not bear prosperity and fame WELL
They changed him, and decidedly for the
worse. His connection with the disgrace.
full events which led to the erection of the
Tunis Protectorate was seriously resented
by his countrymen. There can be no doubt
that the Rochefort- Roustan trial did him
as much harm as the belief that he aspired
to a dictatorship. For even French en-.
thusiasm is not proof against evidence that
an alleged patriot has been employing the
national arms to make personal profit
withal and this by the unrighteous OPP
preston of weak power. Gambetta also
was imprudent enough to send his friend
Roustan back to Tunis after this scandal
had been revealed, and that deepened his
own political grave.
On the whole, and reviewing his career
without prejudice or prediction, it there.
fore appears probable that France has not
suffered an IRE parable loss in his death,
but that his removal may prove bless.
ing in disguise. The faction he welded
will now be greatly at loss for leader,
and opportunisn may come to an I'M
timely, or timely, end, now that its apostle
is gone. But what France needs, and what
she will continue to need for long time to
come, is cooler, less impulsive, less self.
seeking statesmanship than Gambetta could
supply; craftsmanship characterized
rather by Northern than by Southern dis
positions craftsmanship which will
assure to her peace and prosperity, at the
same time protecting society against the
anarchical elements which are disposed to