Year: 1877

NJ Gambetta seems to have caught from
the old story of the Sybilline leaves the
secret Of driving political bargain. In that
story purchaser is almost frightened out
of the market by the exorbitant price de-
manded for an article that he has half no.
tion to buy but the first price demanded
proves trivial by comparison with the de-
mands made subsequently, which con-
stantly increase in proportion as the prop
erty seems to become an undesirable
possession. At last the transaction is
practically enforced by the buyers appre-
hension that if he does not hasten to con-
clude trade the price will be presently
altogether out of his reach. In its first con-
dition the Republic appeared to the reac-
tionary politicians of France as no great
catch at any price; and the more they resist
it, the less they are inclined to regard it
favorably, the harder the terms are made,
and the relentless Sybil of the Republic de-
mands greater and greater concessions, till
it becomes probable that on any day the
other side may regret that it did not
accept the easier terms, of the day be-
fore, and that it may end at last by
closing the bargain on the terms of the
moment in o spirit of panic. Gambetta's
demand tor the modification of the consti-
tuition in such n way as to strengthen the
hands Of the popular element provokes the
same surprise and dismay as the doubling
of the price Of the Sybilline leaves at the
moment the buyer thought he was likely to
get them on his own terms. By an exhibi-
ton of their power to battle the plain pro-
visions of the republican constitution the
supporters of minority government deemed
that they had forced the conditions
of a compromise-that they had driven the
liberals into corner, and that these, full
of trepidation and apprehension, would ac-
cept ut any moment what their domineering
opponents might loftily concede. But they
come into the presence of the republicans
to make these lofty concessions, and find
themselves face to face with men whose de-
mands have not been reduced by the appar-
emily adverse circumstances, but who, on
the contrary, make the extravagant claims
Of victors. But, after oil, nothing
is more logical than the demand for
the revision of the constitution In
such way as to greatly limit or
exclude the right of the Executive to dis
solve the Assembly. All the campaigns
against the Republic since the installation
of the Marshal have had for their real pur-
pose to prepare the ground for profound
notifications of the constitution in sense
unfavorable to its republican character.
All the reactionary elements deemed that
the constitution, as it existed, was the
worst there was to fear in the direction Of
republicanism, and that they might with i'm
punity bend all their efforts to its over
throw, with hope Of gain and no fear of
loss. They were like gamblers who fancy
they may play to win the money of others
without putting up their own. Having lost
their game they thought the penalty would
be to have the constitution remain as it was.
But the logical republican leader demands
that rs they played to modify the constiu-
ton in one sense they must, having lost,
submit to its modification in another sense,
and it is certainly the true way to win re-
spect for the Republic by teaching its foes
that its fortunes are not to be trifed with.