26 JANUARY 1907, Page 18

It has always been M. Clemenceau's function to sum up

either in the Press or on the platform what he considers the tendencies of the moment. On Tuesday evening at the banquet of the Republican Committee of Commerce and Industry be made a speech on the future of French democracy. The Monarchy, and the aristocracy had gone, he said, And Clericalism, the "residue of reactionary parties," was packing its trunks. The new force was democracy, but a democracy which included the "hard-working bourgeoisie." There was a great task before it. It must educate its following, for the ignorance of the working classes " con. stitutes an accusation against those who have failed to enlighten them." It must deliver France from the tyranny of classes, including the tyranny of its own. "We want right, liberty, and justice even for our foes." It must ensure the reign of law, for " the only gainer by disturbances is Is reaction." Let them see that the accession of democracy to power was not a vain word. "We are the sons of those who made the Revolution and what we want is that modern France should continue with the Republic." RC: Clemenceau, not for the first time, is attempting to change the current use of a word, and boldly identifies the bourgeoisie with those who used to be considered its most implacable foes.