New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-01
G1MRETTd.

Gambetta is dying. He WAC almost the only
heroic figure of the Revolution which
followed Sedan. Theirs accepted the Re
public because the logic of events had
convinced him that monarchy was i'm
possible. since there were only three dy-
nasties and OILY one throne. Gambetta not only
believed in the Republic but had predicted it,.
Scarcely had he entered the Corps Legislatif
before he assured e'tttvier that such cOnstitu-
tionaism as the Empire had to offer would
only be accepted as n bridge to the Republic.
When Sedan came he knew what would be its
first pc litical result and IT, was to him that all
ewes were turned when the Corps Legislatlf was
besiegcd by the popuace and it became neces
sary to proclaim the downfall of the Empire.
He accepted the Republic with youthful enthusi-
asm. and with it the war for which lmperialists
alone were responsible. His colleagues of the
Provisional Government despair ed of success
from the outset, but he did not. Escaping from
Paris by balloon, he called the southern depart
ments to arms, organized armies with the
energy OF another Carnot and breathed into
them his own dauntcss spirit, his own uncon-
auerable resolutions. When the armisticc was
negotiated 10y Theirs aud Fnyre. his soul was
the peace was ignomiuious; for France, albeit
PROSTATE, was not helpless but could still fight
lie WAS forced by his colleagues TO abandon
the unequal contest. but from that day he was
hunored in France for his superhuman energy
in cause that was iIretrievably doomed.
They had despalred, hut he had never lost faith
in the ability of his countrymcn 70 repel tho in
vading horde from the Rhine.
Gambetta was prominently the organizing
genius of the Third Republic. THEIRS pro-
claimed a political truce, restored the public
order, recognized the administration and lib
Grated the soil. An old servant OF the consti-
tutional monarchy, he accepted the new iusti-
tutlons because ho perceived that no other gov
eminent was possible Gambetta was the
master spirit of new era of political rcorgani-
zatiOn lie impressed his own progressive ten
denotes, his impotence of Clerical domination,
and his respect for the conservative prejudices
of the bourge0isio. He could dcnouuce Cler-
icaism as the common enemy aud at the same
time remind Bcllevlle chat il was the social
question that was causing morbid apprehen-
sion throughout France. He could dcnounco
the Rcactonuries in 1877 as the new army OF
invasion and warn President TacMahon that
when millions OF electors mako their choice
there would not be one who could offer resist
ance and he could be the apostle of Oppor-
tunsm, restraining the Impotence of his fol-
lowers aud preaching moderation and eli-pOs-
session until the timos should be ripe for
liberal institutions. He represented the most
radical constituency in Paris, yet retained the
confidence of the rural constituencies as q
statesman who was slow and Cautious and bent
upon establishing the Republic on foundations
that would be rs deep as they we're broad.
Even before Thiers's death Gambetta was rec
ognized rs the real leader of the Republican
cause. Left alone in mumentOus crisis, he
remained without rival ip political inllu-
ence. His enemies multiplied on every side,
Brllevilo was divided against him and
his own downfall from tho Premiership was
decreed by an overwhelming vote of thee to
one. but lie remained the most powerful pO
litcal parsonage in France.
Gambetta was not French Cavour. He
lacked administrative capacity; he miscalculated
his own resources lie shiIled the responsible
tiles Of leadership and exhausted the patience
OF tho Deputies, If not Of the country, by re-
manning too long in retirement and governing
by proxy he was unfortunate in his choice Of
political associates lac was not farsghted he
wasted his opportunities. A successful Premier
or II Judcious President he could never have
been lle was the ideal tribune of the people
the Danton of the Third Republic.
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END OF A LONG CONTROVERSY.
ia n ant Lop tha iog