The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-22

fellow presented him to the princes Of the
Orleans family.
In the Latin quarter Gambetta's popu-
larity was already very great. His inTiu-
enee was proved at the legislative elections
Of 1858, when he energetically supported
the candidature of Jules Favre, the famous
republican. and Of Provost aradol, once
French minister at Washington. in public
meetings. No surprise was felt when, in
November, 1868, Delescluze chose him as
his defender in the action which was
brought against him for having opened
subscription in honor of Bandin, the
deputy who was killed on the barricades
during the republic of 1S4S. The eloquence
OF the speech he delivered on that occasion
was extraordinary. Gambetta's discourse
stunned the government. What harm
have we done to that young mani" the
empress asked angrily of NJ. Bidaruelles,
who was then attorney general in the
court OF appeals. She thoroughly realized
that the imperial government would find
terrible adversary in the young barrister
of Cahors.
In the meantime, the celebrated orator
Berryer died, and the voters of Marseilles
invited Gambetta to take his seat When
the general elections took place in 1869,
two districts, one in the department of the
Seine, another in that Of the Bouches du
Rhone, sent Gambetta to the legislative
assembly: On May % and on June 6, 1869,
as candidate "irrec0ncilable to the en-
pire." he defeated NJ Theirs and Ferdi-
nand de Lesseps at Marseilles, and NJ. Car
not at Paris, with an immense majority.
The only elector in Marseilles whom he
knew intimately was myself. and there
Tore acted as his secretary. Occupying an
official position. was unable to appear at
MS side IN public gatherings, and It was
only s.in the flies" that could be present
at the meetings held in the Musset theater,
IN the Monticello assembly room, and in
the Cafe Pellisier. where he enraptured his
audiences with his powerful eloquence. 1t
was to me that he dictated the famous cir
GUAR TO the people of Marseilles, in which
ne repudiated the demagogles alike OF
Cesar and Of Marat. and predicted for
MarseiileS, III regenerated France, the
preponderant role of New York in the
United States. His room in the Hotel de
France was ceaselessly invaded by electors;
so we went together to the BOrelly park,
and there, in sequestered nook, on the
banks OF the Havanne, he dictated to me
his eloquent proclamation. 1t came from
his lips as lovingly as water comes from
a spring, and on our return We were able
to take 1T to the printing office immediate
ly. The fatigue OF the electoral campaign
weighed so heavily on Gambetta that he
fell seriously Ill. He was attended with
the utmost care by DR.. Lacassagne, whose
name was recently brought before the pub
lie in connection with Eyraud's trial, and
who was at that time senior house surgeon
to the Marsellles military hospital. Gam
beta was ordered to Ems to recruit his
shattered health.
At least once week during his later life
he came to Marseiiles, and from thence
went to stay with his father, who, after
having scraped together little fortune,
had retired with his wife to Nice, where
they occupied small house in the Vile
franche road. Gambetta and used to
pass whole days together, and, though he
occupied SO exalted position, his affection
for his old school-feiiow. never changed.
He was thoroughly good-hearted, and his
natural kindness sufflclentiy explains the
durable friendship and answering devo-
ton he inspired wherever he went.
never once heard him utter spiteful
word, not even against those who, after
having been his followers, had deserted
his cause.
saw him for the las time III July, 1882,
ON the occasion OF his mothers burial, A
telegram informed me OF the hour at which
he would pass through Marseilies, and
awaited his arrival at the railway station:
He said, gu won't leave me alone" and
/ accompanied him to Nice. NJ. LiouyilIe,
one OF the deputies for the department. of
the Meuse, was with Us. On the next day
we followed to the cemetery OF the Chateau
ROO4
to meet her sister, "Pata Jenny" whose
death occurred in March, 1873.
These two women made Gambetta what
he was. Iheyl It was who, from his earliest
childhood, had cont1dence in his future,
who IN spite OF his fathers opposition, de-
termlne0 that ne should go TO Paris, and
prevented him from wasting his talents at
the bar OF provincial tribunal. ..Tata,"
moreover, possessed feeling OF her own
Importance: On hearing OF her nephew's
successes, she has more than once repeat
ed to me: Leon IS not Gambetta; he
is Massabie." They both died before the
France OF her illustrious statesman.
do not wish to recar to that thunder
stroke, but am anxious, however, to con-
tradict story which has been only too
widely circulated. 1t has been related that
Gambetta was killed by woman-by his
mistress, Mile. Leonide Leon. It is
frightful calumny. Gambetta wounded
himself In the hand while handling re-
volver in November, 1882, in his little villa
at Vile d'Avray, near Paris, and Mile.
Leonide Leon, although she witnessed the
accident, had nothing to do with the un-
fortunate occurrence. The most conclu-
sive proof that can be adduced in support
OF my statement is that Gambetta's per-
sonal political friends have since sub
scribed to assure the young woman a re-
spectacle position and that Gambetta's
family contributed to this amount. More
over, my friend did not succumb from the
effects of his wound-which had healed on
December l6-but from perforatiOn of the
intestine. As have said, this was proved
at the post-mOrtem examination.
/ have had the honor of meeting Mile.
Leon1de. Leon Gambetta concealed this
rot ~ q 70 frcv h .nf,