The news of the sortie from Paris has, of course,
been received at Tours with a transport of enthusiasm, and of course the Tours public insisted on a speech from M. Gambetta. The War Minister, though faltering with emotion, neither boasted nor rhapsodized, as he is supposed to be perpetually doing, but dwelt on the energy and patience of General Trochu, on the devotion of General Ducrot, and the harmony among all engaged in the plan now seen to be so great. He stated that Amiens bad been evacuated—on the faith, doubtless, of the belief entertained at Lille,—declared that the Army of the Loire was resolutely advancing to meet " the army which can issue from Paris "—not which has issued,—and pointed to the difference between a despot fighting for caprice and a nation fighting for justice. "The victory belongs to the Republic." M. Gambetta is much blamed here, of course, for that sentence ; but unless we are mistaken, we have known Tories take credit to their party for the successful result of their war measures.
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