M. Gambetta has uttered a speech at Lyons in which
he sketches the programme of the Liberal party. He desires to diminish the influence of the Clericals, particularly in education ; to establish liberty by giving each Commune the right of electing its Mayor and Councillors ; to abolish the state of siege ; to make the Conscription really universal ; and to restore the right of meeting and of publishing. He would remove only such officials as were hostile to the Republic ; would receive cordially the old Parliamentarians into the Republican ranks ; and would, in all things, act with moderation. He was singularly emphatic in ad- vocating a policy of peace. He would give up all propagandism on behalf of nationalities—though he condemns severely the betrayal of Denmark—and would have France stay at home staunching her own wounds, and leaving the rest of the world to satisfy its desires without hindrance. That last utterance is most prudent, as the Republicans are supposed to be warlike, but we suspect it is to be read with some considerable reserves. M. Gambetta is not exactly a Manchester man in a French dress.
