OUR PARIS LETTER.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3887, 14 June 1881, Page 2

OUR PARIS LETTER.

(fbom oub own coebespondent.)

Pabis, March 31, 1881. Two speeches were delivered by M. Gambetta during this fortnight, one on the 20th inst. at the Trocadero to the members of the Union da Commerce, and the other a few days later at the annual dinner of the National Union of Trade and Industry (Syndical Chambers' Alliance), held at the Grand Hotel. At the former the President of the Chamber confined himself to general .economical considerations. While approving the in- | stitutions of industrial syndicates, working men's associations, and mutual aid societies, M. Gambetta intimated that these societies would soon enjoy complete legal liberty in their formation and administration. M. Gambetta again declared how ut terlyhe was "opposed to Utopian schemes for the violent reconstitution of society on bases which nothing has fixed, to levelling ideas that were unwholesome, unrealisable, and always big with peril for the working classes, who are always the victims, and who never benefit by the sanguinary experiments to which such theories give place." IrJevertheless, while not wishing to set foot on political ground, M. Gambetta touched upon it incidentally at the beginning of his speech, when he protested against the idle of dictator, which certain journals persist in attributing to him. "My life,' said he, "is not exempt either from bitterness or from grief. . ■. . . I have never sought any. other J recompense than that of receiving and | feeling, on the days of great interviews, the gratitude of my fellow citizens. • It is this sentiment which has always supported me, which always will support me, and which serves to keep me perfectly indiffereat to all personal questions that may be raised, but towards which I should regard it as unworthy of myself to show anything but the most complete disdain It is net agreeable to me, it never will be agreeable to me, to accept, whatever be the lips that utter them, either those excesses of insults, or those excesses of honors. JNo, gentlemen, born of the people', belonging to the people, wishing to make the cause of the people triumph by rational, scientific, and legal means, wishing to hold nothing except by the persuasion of majorities, I have the time before me, I have the energy, and, above all, I have immutable perseverance ]" ;

At the latter, he dwelt on the prosperity, stability, and moral and political health enjoyed under the present Government, and said he looked forward with confidence to the national judgment day of the elections, when the country,- mis--1 tress of its destinies, would select not only h«r men but the ideas by which she was to be governed, whatever was the. system of voting adopted. (Great cheering ) It was necessary to put an end to the existing tergiversation, and to crown the Democracy with public liberties. (Renewed cheering.) When the national assize was held many idle rumours would be dispelled, as if by magic, but amongst them was none more idle than the statement so often reiterated by the artisans of discord that an attempt was being made to shake the power of a man who was alike venerated and venerable—a man whom life resumed in itself the dignity of the law and the Constitution, and one who, so far as he himself was concerned, inspired him with but one hope—-that his days might be as long as could possibly or reasonably be wished. (Renewed applause.) He trusted the new Chamber, after having carried out a work of liberation, would devote itstlf, heart and soul, to the work of reform. He concluded by giving a toast to France and the .Republic. (Loud and enthusiastic applause.) The Ministerial crisis which has threat- , ened to break out during the whole of a week (17th to 23rd instant) has been averted. The point at issue was, what attitude the Government should take towards the ffardoux Bill for the establishment of the Scrutin de liste. ML. Jules Perry maintained that the Government ought to give an opinion on so important a question. The majority of thjs Cabinet took an opposite view, and were. in favour of the Government remaining neutral. It was feared that this difference of opinion might lead to a Ministerial and Governmental crisis. M\ Jules Perry, however, yielded, to his colleagues, and, consequently, in the discussion of the bill the Cabinet will remain neutral, and each of its members will retain his liberty of vote. The Count de Chambord (Henri V.) has written to M. de Man to congratulate him on his famous speech at Vannes, which made some sensation a short time ago. The Count says all is true in that speech, that the prosperity of French finance is fictitious, and that French trade and agricultural are in a lamentable' situation. The only remedy for this sad state of things is, the Count says, the restoration, of " traditional, that is, Christian monarchy."

The President of the Republic gave a public audience on. the 19th to the Duke Fernan Nunez, who delivered his credentials as Ambassador for Spain. M. Barthe'lemy St. Hilaire, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the officers of the President's military household. The new Ambassador was conducted to the Elysee with the usual ceremony, escorted by a } squadron of dragoons. A battalion of the liae drawn up in the court-yard of the palace rendered military honour.