Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-19
Written for THE EVENING STAR.
TRANSATLANTIC PORTRAITS.

Written for TIE EVENING STAR.
TRANSATLANTIC PORTRAITS.
A Sketch Of Eugene Clemenceau, Ply
sician and Politician.
1t has been said Of this prominent French
man that he il a living bundle Of paradoxes.
Such verdict would by no means seem unjust.
For while politicians usually manage to make
a number Of enemies N. Clemenceau. in the
front rank of French politics, has none.
Though he comes from an ultra-conservative,
Economically religious part Of the country
vendee-he il a radical and free thinker of the
most advanced type. He has made ministries,
and as easily overthrow them, but he himself
has never sat In a minister's chair, and, indeed,
shows no desire to. But while his actions seem
so paradoxical and self opposing, yet it is to
that very quality that M. Clemencesu owes his
power as a French politician. Like Lord Ran
dolph Churchill in England he is a"free lance"
totally independent in his political creed-now
following one party, now another, never i'm
plicitly obey ing any one; and. like Lord Ran
dolph, being q man of genius, his opinion is by
no means to be despised. An earnest political
reformer, and at the same time bon gdrcon,
practicng medicine with one hand and dab
bling in politics with the other, NJ. Clemenceau,
it must be acknowledged, occupies peculiarly
unique position in the French political arena.
Nor is his presence felt only in the world Of
politics, for his personal qualities, his powers
of conversation. his fascinating manner-half
that Of the man of science, half that of the
wealthy business man-tOgether with the
charms OF an attractive wife, an American by
the way, make his home near the Champs
Elysees one of the most popular places in Paris.
Born in the Vendee in September, 184l, Eu-
gene Clemenceau, after having finished the
ordinary schooling given to the French boy,
resolved to study medicine, and at Nantes
some years later We find him practising the
healing art. Going to Paris he worked among
the lower classes in the suburb of Montmartre,
taking in 1869 his doctors degree. For
time it appears he resided in the United
States, making living as a teacher Of French,
and it was here that he obtained his remarka-
bly, accurate knowledge of the English
language knowledge which is enormously
useful to him. as it enables him to post himself
on American and British politics. thoroughly
and easily, without having recourse to second
hand or translated reports. 1t was here, too,
that he won his charming wife, who like him
SELF used to earn her bread by teaching.
Thus it is not to be wondered at that NJ.
Clemenceau should entertain warm feeling of
friendship for our republic, for to it he owes
two of his most highly priced possessions.
While Clemenceau was practiclng at Mont
martre the Franco-Prussian war broke out and
the young republican saw his country suffer
defeat after defeat. He rejoiced, however, at
the overthrow of the empire, and when the re-
public was formed he was chosen
mayor of his ACCOMPLISHMENTS post which
proved to be far from a sinecure.
The commune burst into existence in
March, 1871, and for two months there were
scenes Of terrorism and bloodshed to which it
would be impossible in the annals of any mod
ern nation to ind parallel Clemenceau did
his duty we'll. however, in his dstrict-one of
in he
warded off the match that would have set fire
to the highly combustible material under his
charge, and because he did his duty
at that trying period he has been
frequently found fault with. The
central commission Of the commune issued
warrant for his arrest, but he escaped the
hands of their officers. The Theirs govern
ment tried him for improper discharge of duty,
but he was acquitted. This trial was the cause
of the duel between Clemenceau and Pous-
sargnes. III which the latter was wounded in the
leg and for which u. Cleme nceau was fined 25
francs and imprisoned a short time. From the
time that Clemenceau. in the famous debate and
division of 1882, defeated Gambetta and pre-
vented France from soiling her hands with the
Egyptian trouble, up to last year, he has been,
without doubt, the foremost of French poll
ticians. His shapely figure and decided feat
ures, his resource and eloquence az a debater
and as a speaker generally, make him not only q
striking character in the chamber, but
also living and moving power. Into the rea-
sons for his comparative eclipse it is not possible
to go. Clemenceau probably made the greatest
mistake of his life when he introduced and
helped Gen. Boulanger to Office. Moreover,
he showed too plainly his great proclivity to
upset any cabinet whose views dc not coincide
with those of the extreme left, where he rules
and leads. But still to him France owes the
happy election Of NJ. Carnot, and further, to
N. Clelnenceau's credit it must be said that
when he perceived the purpose Of Boulanger
he promptly turned about and helped to evict
him.
NJ. Clemenceau has visited London, and while
there was the guest of Mr.. John Morley and
many Of the other prominent radicals. 1t is
only natural that he should find it somewhat
difficult to combine the lite of politician with
that of a medical man. 1t is related that on
one occasion person called whom he took to
be patient, and as he was very busy he said to
his visitor: go into that room and strip your
self. l will come in few moments
and examine you" The visitor did 30 and
Clemenceau on entering found him in natures
simplest garb. What can do for you, Mon
sieur?" said he. If you please l want you to
give me a post Office" He had come to see
Clemenceau the politician, not Clemenceau
the physician. We might suggest that the
above treatment be tried here in Washington
in the case Of all office-seekers. The disease
We imagine would be promptly and effectually
healed VIC