M. Gambetta made a speech at Abbeville on the 10th
inst., which contained one important statement. He has no desire to see the agitation among Liberals directed against the Senate. "I have always said I believe it to be necessary in a great Democracy to have different powers, to enlighten, not to oppose each other, but to elaborate the laws together, in order to produce a right and well thought-out work. I am not the enemy of two Cham- bers, and I desire for my country that the Chambers we have should render to themselves and the nation the service expected from their wisdom and patriotism." It was one of his charges against the Reactionaries, that they desired to govern by means of "perpetual conflict between the Senate and the Chamber." He believed that the Constitution, as it stood, would work well if it were let alone, and that the country, when appealed to, would once more affirm it. The effect of this tone in the leader of the Liberals is, first, to disarm the Senate, which is jealous of menace from the Chamber ; and secondly, to convince the people that the Republican is also the Conservative side. It is the Liberal party which appeals to them to "vote Oui ' "—to decree that nothing shall be changed in that which exists. This is an entirely new position for Liberals to have attained, and it will have a profound influence on the elections.
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