We have referred in another column to M. Gambetta's very
.eloquent, bat very dangerous speech in favour of a repressive policy against clericalism not unlike that so fortunately defeated in Italy. There should be the less need for this sort of propa- gandism that even in some of the most Roman Catholic parts of the country the Republican minority appears to be increasing into a steady majority. Thus in the election of last Sunday for St. Maio, the Republican candidate was elected by a majority of 7,347 over 4,975 votes given for the Legitimist, though at the general election the latter (the Legitimist) had polled a very nearly equal vote,-6,335 against 6,593. These Republican gains are very remarkable, but they will be losses to freedom instead of gains, and ultimately losses to the Republican party as well as losses to freedom, if they tempt Republicans to propose coercive measures against their Catholic opponents.
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