THE "TIGER'S" INSPIRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 8

THE "TIGER'S" INSPIRATION.

A recent article in the "Star" on Clemenceau— "tlie man of action, single-minded, ruthless"— recalls the source of his political inspiration in the pursuit and ruthless of democratic ideals on the French people. An inspiration which was fixity of purpose, indomitable courage wedded to a marvellous, energetic intellect, an inspiration instrumental in earning him the appropriate name of the "Tiger."' It will appear strange, even paradoxical, to those who know nothing of the facts of Clemenceau's life to learn that he had very little faith in democracy, which throughout his life he so strenuously upheld. Why, then, should lie have pursued so relentlessly a cause that intellectually he was not fain to • accept before any other method of governing a nation? If, as ho has said, "All systems [of government] have ended in the same way—in the mire," why should he have entered politics so strenuously as he did, and pursued one system during the whole of his life? Just as there is an explanation to most paradoxes, so is there an explanation to this. Last year Clemenceau was interviewed by an Argentine journalist, to whom he told his story. His father, who had been a doctor, became .one day deeply affected by the sadness of human suffering that he constantly saw around him. The thought worked so deeply into his nature that he decided to give up his practice and dedicate his life to farming and the furtherance of Republican ideals. He betook himself and his family to Nantes, where he and his literary friends (Clemenceau, senior, was also a poet and an artist) used to meet at Plancon's bookshop to discuss literary and political matters. This was the period 1854, when Napoleon had not long deposed the Assembly and crowned himself Emperor. Those who did not agree with his ideas he deported. One night in Plancon's bookshop Clemenceau, senior, was arrested on a ridiculous charge of having spoken against the policy of Napoleon. Actually he had only upheld the merits and ideals of a Republican democracy in the presence of his own little band. He was, nevertheless, arrested and imprisoned at Marseilles without fair trial, handcuffed and chained behind the prison bars. He was finally deported to Africa. Clemenceau, the "Tiger," then- aged about fourteen, felt so great a pity for his father, whom he visited at the gaol, that, made more bitter by the fact that his father's friends had not visited the prison through cowardice to bid a last farewell to their old friend, he then and there decided to avenge the rank injustice. When friendship stood in the way of. his efforts to further the interests of. democracy for which his father had died, he at once ruthlessly renounced it. Before leaving his father at the Marseilles prison he promised him that his injustice would be avenged. In his own words: "From that day I began to growl, and kept on growling." And again: "I worked to avenge him. I am eighty-eight years old. I hope to have twelve more years to defend my father's faith." Who will deny that he did not keep his word to the letter ? He is dead' now, but he will not readily be forgotten. —R.M.C.