Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-01-03
Gambetta.

Leon Michel Gambetta, born Mt Cahors
in Southern France, April 8, 1888 died at
Vlled Array near Paris. January |, 1888
He was of Italian blood and his father
WAS a shop keeper. In boyhood he lost
one eye y al accident but was bright and
studous and his mothers sister, Mile
Mas1abie, h,d great hopes of him. He
an lrreed wi his falner and went to
Paris, his aunt going with him and caring
for him. Gtmbetta WAS admitted to the
bar IN 1859 and in 1868 first came to notice
by defending Delescluze. In 1863 he was
elected to the corps legislalf where he
was hostile 10 the empire.
When Sedan fell Gambetta heading a
few like minded men on the 18th of Sep
TENDER 1870 proclaimed the government
of national defence which took the form
of provincial republic, October 7tn OF
the same year after the Germans had
invested Paris he escaped from that city in
balloon and was thereafter at the head
of the Tours government and energetic in
the vain struggle against the Germans.
lie resigned because his colleagues would
not exclude certain Bonapartsts from
voting, but was elected to the first assem-
bly, and has since 1871 been the strongest
republican leader in France. His news
paper. the french Republic, brought him
wealth and helped confitn France in
republicanism.
He was at the head OF the "opportu.
nsts,' those who deny the absolute and
believe only in the relative; who were
willing to get what they could if they
could not get everything they wanted. In
1877 he overthrow the power of Mae
Mahon and in 1879 he became president
of the assembly. A year ago he was at
the head of the ministry for ten weeks but
has generally contented himself with
having the substance of power without its
form.
Glmbetta ranked with Bismark, Glad.
stone and CASTELAR,; with worse conditions
than the first two and better than Castelar,
has had he has accomplished much of
good 10 his country. lie was the states
man who did not despair after Sedan and
though then but 80 years old he did
wonders in defending France with her
armies crumbled and without competent
generals.
He was an orator as well as statesman
and as president Of the French assembly
has of late years been notable figure in
all public debate. His oratory was
turbulent but its stream ran deep and
carried matter of pilh and moment. In
person he was hick set and not attractive
Though yet young he looked Old and
showed to the world that he Carried an old
head on his shoulders.
HIS private life was not to be admired
for he was Partisan in his morals. His
death was ciused by blood poisoning
occ ,sioned by pistol ball discharged
into his hand November q. The story OF
his friends is that he WIS carelessy hand
ling pistol and accidently discharged it
A story told by his enemies is that the
fra bullet was fired by a jealous woman
whom he had sighted.
His delth will not seriously change the
current of aft ,irs in France 1t is not
certain that the young republic will 60 on
without trouble but it was as likely to
c me with G mb,ttt in lite AS now that
h" is d'partei Her foreign policy is fun
mpre liable to continue peaceful for G. I'm u.
b tn no lbtle-s cherished the hope thu, hr
might live to see Alsace and Lorran,
restored 10 France when he should be
her head rs they were lost to her when he
had Leading place in her councils In
is it more true thln in France
that nothing succeeds like success and it
was a notable tribute to Gambntta's great
ness that though he governed in:dsaster
he maintained his power after the hour of
humiliation was passed.