National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-28
The situation in France,


Great as is the excitement of the Eng
lish people over the Irish question 1t is
calmness itself compared with the state of
public feeling in France at this time.
The election of president Of the repub-
lie for the next term Of seven years takes
place to-day at Versailles, the members Of
the senate and chamber of deputies being
the electors. The strange phase OF the sit
uation is that, while an overwhelming ma
iority of the people Of France are republi-
cans, the republican party is in minority in
the French congress.
Almost frenzied excitement and scenes
so wild as to be impossible of description
were witnessed in the chamber of fdeputies
during the Tonquin debate last week. NJ.
Clemenceau was addressing the assembly
as reported by cable letter to the Phila-
delphia Press-when-
NJ. Spuller, who Is the incarnation Of Ger
man prose, could contain himself no longer,
and rushed up the aisle, yelling: "IIonor? No.
That.is VAIN word for the French nation"
NJ. Clemenceau tiorccly retorted "Ir your
honor is wounded 1t has felt n sting before"
Then, turning Spuller's only weapon back
Iipon the sender NJ. Clcmenceau shouted .
SLOW your consumptive honor must have suf-
1ered when you read the dispatch signed by
Jules Ferry last March imploiing Bismarck's
precious aid. pah - At this point Clemen.
ceau drew paper from his pocket and adj
dressing the whole body of deputies, said with
sneer that Henry Irving could not surpass:
''Would the chamber like to hear it?' Yells
of "Ncs," "Yes," "Rcad IT," "Let us know the
worst" came from all parts ofthe chamber.
NJ. Clcmenceau slowly uniolded the document
and when the curiosity Of the dep
utits had been excited to the highes
pitch he held itup In such way rs to com.
mand silence, Then, looking squarely at NJ,
Ferry ClemcnCCau said: NO, | wall not intict
that stain upon the ChGmbcrand upon France"
At this singing insult VI. Ferry became rabid.
He had promised Premier Brlsson that nothing
would force him 10 speak during the Tonquin
debate, but he had not lorescen such batting
rs Clcmenccau had given him. Ferry was
standing in the center aisle lie made rush
for the tribune, shouting incoheronty, aud
obviously bent on personal violence, Four or
five of his friends grabbed his arms and his
COOtails. lie still struggled to get to the front,
hut lie was physically helpless, lie stood in
Ihe aisle glarng Mt ClemenCcau and shouting
challenges which were unintelligiblo in the
surrounding confusion. lie was like Victor
nugos "ihommo Qul Rit."
There Is much more of the description
all of which is intensely dramatlc-but
space forbds its reproduction in detail.
''Whcn Clcmenceau had finished his devilish
grin he roared at Ferry; u accept your
challenge. Then, while Ferry was Sc
curcly held, Clemenceau read string Of
dispatches showing how humbly aud gladly
the eX.prcmier had accepted Bismarck 5
profIers to exert a pressure upon China
which would compel that country to part
with Tonquin. In another moment the
chamber was a pandemonium. Ferry was
hurried out of the hall on Il jump by his
avn friends. Fully four hundred deputies
rose TO their feet or jumped upon chairs