Year: 1875

PARIS, Nov 2 1876


M Gambetta's letter to the electors of Lyons is
still the theme of general discussion. II
sdered very moderate in tone, though tho
ex-dictator speaks Of the royalists as gnashng
their teeth in impotent rage at the destruction
Of their hopes. The most important part OF the
document is that in which NJ Gambetta insists on the
necessity Of taking the education Of the people out OF
the hands OF the priests the paramount duty Of
all citizens TO bear an


UNDIVIDED ALLEGIANCE


to their countryanother hit at those
who love to toast the Pope at public banques before
the President OF the Republic Indeed when it is re-
membered that NJ. Gambetta Ia the only French
statesman Of sufficient eminence to be a candidate
for the Presidency who Is thoroughly and avowedly
anti-clerica in his views it may be doubted whether
Germany will not find her sincerest ally France If
this most vigorous minded Of lawyers should ever at
tain power. The Cabinet of Berlin must be fully
that NJ. Gambetta is hard headed politician,
who accepts accomplished facts, and knows very well
that the idea OF Of revenge against the con-
querors Of Alsace must be indefinitely postponed or
in other words, abandoned. He is still enthusiastic
and ambitious but he would rather join liberal Ger
many in crusade against the Papacy than plunge
into hopeless contest with the most formidable of
military empires Moreover in combating the in
iuence of the Church, NJ Gambetta would be at once
adopting the safest OF foreign policies and strengthen
ing his position at home for the Catholic clergy
in France would view a radical government with no
friendly eye and a radical President would probably
argue that, it was impossible concilate them
would be best to depress them and destroy their
thority by every at his disposal But whether


M. GAMgETTA


will ever come TO power is an open question Con-
VIII hav mcalv IN n
can constitution are still afraid OF him. and even sim
cere republicans would prefer the leadership of NJ.
Theirs or failing him. of NJ. Dulaure NJ Grevy than
that OF the too eloquent Genoese Others again. who
are liberal enough In their views and do not much
about the form Of government would have objec-
ton to a Republic, with the Duke of Aumae Prince
Napoleon at the head Of the executive, but would bo
the determined opponents Of Republic presided
by man Of advanced ideas " The democratic por-
ton OF the electorate, the other hand, is strong
enough to carry NJ Gambetta to Office its shoulders
but il will not keep hum there unless he is ready TO
throw moderation TO the winds and inaugurate
state of things suspciousy resembling
the dreams Of the Commune In fact the extreme Left
Thus meeting u electors has just been held at ST.
Mande TO discuss the programme to be imposed
ddates for the Senate The appeals OF NJ Gam
beta to the caution and the iorbearance OF the party
utterly dsregarded II resolved that would be
Senators should be required TO accept


IMPERATIVE MANDATE,


e. minute orders as to the votes they were to give,
leaving them no discretion whatever that they should
vote for the abolition OF the Upper Chamber-inaother
words for their own SUPPRESSION also for the return
of the Assembly TO Paris, for


COMPLETE TREEDoM PRESS
as well as OF meeting. and of association for political
purposes, and finally for municipal law give tho
Conmunes an absolute autonomy. No doubt some Of
these desirable but the hour snguarly
inopportune for frightening timid conservatives with
the spectre OF general Saturnaia when many OF them
want but little encouragement and little
in respect OF their dread OF riot and disorder to
give frank adhesion to the Republic Il should be
added that d. Buffet and M. Dufaure ministers of
Justicol at the present moment engaged the de-
tails Of press bill TO be submitted the Assem-
No. Af q .IIx
be modified though II Is not much 1.-THE law' OF
which French journalists complain as the. extra legal
powers intrusted 70 martinez generals in virtue OF


THE STATE


And 1t IS reasonable boast of the French Bar that in
the worst days OF monarchy empire the of
justice have been the best safeguard of such liberties
Parliament had left, and have more than
ageousy upheld the rights Of the individual against
the government recent decision OF the tribunals
has given not little satisfaction in this respect


PoLIcE.


Last spring a certain NJ Larbaud a chemist residing
Vichy, discovered a OF mineral water his
premises at short distance from that termed Lucas"
which is the property Of the State Early IN june the
Project of the Aer gave this gentleman that the
engineers Of mines about institute exanina-
tlon with the object Of ascertaninG tho spring which
NJ. Larbaud had found prejudicia 70 the
Lucas" The proprietor resisted the act, which
he characterized unwarrantble interference with
private right and closed his premises against the 4.
emissares of the Prefect at the time attaching
the door-as he alleged in order TO save himself the
trouble Of repeated explanations TO his centsthe fol-
lowing notice e-"T Temporarily closed account of
legal resistance to abuse OF power on the part OF the
Project of tue Allier."


The exalted functionary in question looked upon this
placard dcfamatory libel, and commenced judicial
proceedings series of trials appeals and ap-
peals followed and II transpred in evidence that
decision OF the Prefect 10 suspend the works for de-
veopng the source well as a second to prohibit
the sale Of waters had been annued by the Coun%
Gil of State for Of authority Ultimately the
Court of Cassaton-the highest tribunal IN France
decided that the writing complained Of was libel,
though II might constitute an Insult and insult
a public officer in the discharge OF his duty n
doubleday offence law the Prefect might prosecute
faFh Limit hat cnn nFupl a GgItn than
raised would be whether IN ordering the inspection of
the private spring. the Pretect dscharging ex-
ceeding his duty.


AN IRoN-cLAD LOST


Sunday fthe 3stl the French Navy lost one of ts
finest iron clads, through the destruction OF the Ma
genta by fire. As the flames reached the pow
der magazine, which the crew had In vain attempted
to food she blew mp.


No lives lost


The building of the Magenta and its twin ship, tho
SoferIno cause of much heartburning
British side OF the Channel where the naval power
OF France jealousy watched all through the reign
of Napoleon Ill Since the France has steadily
has steadily advanced that in the event OF another
conflict may be doubted whether German men of war
will be content to take refuge from the enemy under
the guns OF forts in habors protected by networks
Of torped)es.


NATIONAL ASSEMBLY


According 70 the latest there is likelihood OF
the National Assembly being enabled to terminate it's
abors IA tho space OF four five weeks from the open
ing OF the session. In that the Senatorial cleo
lions would be held at the close and those
for tue new Chamber in the month of January, while
IN February France may possess brand-new constitu
ton he seventeenth since $780, warranted to last
good four years, say till the close Of the Marshaato


leading Paris paper announces that banquet Wlll
be held at the Grand Hotel Saturday the 9th inst,
which informs It's readers is the centenary Of tho
American Declaration OF Independence