The National tribune., 1883-01-04
GAMBETTA GONE.
The Sad Death of the Great French Leader
"A Brilliant Career Ended.


Leon Michel Gambetta, the distinguished
French politician and statesman, died in Paris,
just five minutes before the expiration of the
old year, from blood d-posoning, the result of a
pistol wound accidentally inflicted some weeks
| ago. The news of his demise created a pro-
| found sensation throughout all Europe, aDd
universal apprehension issfelt lest it should
precipltate another crisis in the French Repub-
/ lie. Gambetta was born at Cahors on the I'd Of
april, 1898. His family were Of Italian ex-
| traction, and designed him for the priesthood,
/ but the sight OF one eye was destroyed by an
accident when he was eight years Old, and it so
affected his disposition that his teachers were
unable to manage him, and he was finally per-
mitted to so to Paris and study law.
Fifteen years ago he was an obscure lawyer,
whose splendid OratOry made him the idol of
/ the radical clubsat Bellevile. In 1868 he sud-
denly sprang into greater public notice by his
ImpaSsiODed plcadings for the defendants in q
political ease instituted by the imperial gov
ernment. The next year he was elected, as an
advanced radical, one of the Deputies to the
/ Corps Legisatif by the voters OF The most tur-
buleut quarter Of Paris. The following year,
after the disaster at Sedan, he became a men,
( her Of the revolutionary government When
Paris was bcsleged he escaped in q balloon and
set himself to work IN the provinces to organ
ize new armies for the purpose Of continuing
the war against the Germans. In this service
| his display of executive and administrative
ability was so remarkable that he suddenly
/ lo0med up the foremost man in all France.
After the pact Of Bordeaux he was returned TO
| the National Assembly, gave his support to NJ.
ThieTs, and cut loose from his old associates of
the Commune. For this detection they have
never forgiven him. lie became then the
leader in the Assembly OF the republican left.
Dissatisfied with the policy Of NJ. Thicrs, Gam
hetta was prominent in forcing his resignation.
of the provisional republic, Gambetta went over
TO him for time, but subsequently assisted in
bringing about his downfall and electing NJ
Grovy as his successor. During the earlier
years OF the Grevy presidency Gambetta was
the power behind the executive, and while de-
Cliuiug to take Office himself, took quietly the
leading part in creating the successive changes
OF the ministry. After the last elections he
was called upon TO organize the new ministry
and take the position of premier. The clamor
grew SO strong that he was compelled to assume
the official responsibilities he had previously
studiouSly avoided. He had scarcely entered
upon Office when he brought forward measures
looking to the Centralizing Of the power Of the
government by providing for elections by de-
partments on a general ticket instead of by
dictricts as now and for reorganization OF tho
Senate which would have made the latter body,
now partially elective and partially appOintlve,
the creature Of the House. The Chamber of
Deputies rejected them and GaInbatta with
drew from Office, carrying his colleagues with
him. For some time subsequently it appeared
as if ne had lost his political influence with his
loss Of Office. But many eyes were beginning
to turn once more toward Gambetta as the most
available candidate for the presidency on the
expiration of the term of President Grevy two
years hence. Whether such a movement would
have succeeded or failed, there is no question
that the death OF Gambetta at this time is
great loss to France. With all his faults he
was a strong man, an orator without an equal
at the bar or on the platform, and confessedly
a statesman of remarkable ability.