The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-05
LEON GAMBETTA DEAD.

One of the most active elements Of French
politics has ceased to exist. A few weeks
ago Leon Gambetta was wounded la the
hand by the accidental discharge of pistol.
1t was reported he was wounded In q duel
but II was incorrect. On the 3lst Of Decem-
Der he died from blood poisoning. The
French Republic owes much to Gambetta.
He was not to France what CASTELAR, was to
Spain, or Washington to America, yet he
possessed many of their better qualities and
was Thorough Republican, fighting for ga
government Of the people, for the people and
by the people," with patriotic energy Ma
poleon Iii could not suppress. The disaster
of Sedan was his opportunity, and to none
SO much as him Is due the fact that from
that quick crumbling ruin Of empire arose
the magnificent Republic Of France. Gam
BETA was ever firm friend of the United
States, sentiment which was fully recipro-
Gated by It's representatives. In the past year
or two Gambetta lost prestige with some
classes of the tickle people among whom his
lot was cast, but we cannot else than be-
lieve there will be another day In France
within his ordinary life time, when France
will feel that Gambetta died too soon. Fol-
lowing is brief biography from Chambers
Encyclopedias"
Leon Gambetta, a French lawyer and
statesman, was born October 90, 1888, at Co
hors. His family was of Genoese descent;
he studied law, and in 1859 Joined the Paris
Bar 1t was not till 1868 that his name came
prominently before the public He then ac-
CURED fame as counsel for defendants In po-
litical prosecutions. He showed himself an
able and determined enemy Of the second
empire. He was In consequences returned TO
| the chamber both ut Paris and Marseilles,
at the elections Of 1869. On the 9th Of May,
1870, hc delivered speech containing a
panegyric Of the Republican form Of govern
ment, which attracted great attention. After
Sedan he became Minister Of the Interior,
and he remained for some time In Paris after
| II was invested by the Germans as he was
anxious, however, to stir up the provinces,
| he contrived TO escape by n balloon. He
came down near Amiens, and thence pro-
ceeded TO Tours, where he was Entrusted with
the control Of the war department. He as.
sumed unlimited power, and made every
effort to stir up the provinces In defense Of
Paris. He preached iuerre outrdnce again sl
the Germans, and denounced the capitalization
Of Metz ~ an act or treason on the part Of
Marshal Bazaine. When q National As
sembly was resolved upon In 1871 Gambetts
sought by decree to give IL an exclusively
republican character by directing that nc
official OF the second empire should take
part In the election. The decree was can
celled at the instigation Of Prince Bismarck
and .Gambstta resigned Office as minister
He subsequently entered the Assembly rs !
member for Paris, became the leader OF tn
extreme left, and to the violence Of speech
which he delivered at Grenoble, was largel,
attributed the reaction which set In against
republican government. and the retiremen
Of M. Theirs. After this his political actor
became more skillful and moderate, and Il
his leadership the Republicans greatly owes
their success in the elections OF 1877, ant
their defeat OF the attempts Of the copserya
tiyes to deprive them Of It's results.