Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-09-08
NO.. %.

tcHucu Vpdh vi puDI'C opfhioi, ~ bSphcb
| to direct the debates in the two chambers,
and it incontestibly exercises an infiu-
ence upon those debates, no less baneful
than deceptive. This dominion in the
Chamber of Deputies, especially for the
last two or three years; has assumed n
manifest character of oppression and ty-
ranny. We have seen in this interval
the journals pursuing with insult and OUT
rage numbers whose vote appeared to
them either uncertain or suspected. Too
often, Sire, the freedom of the delibe-
rations in this chamber has fallen sacri-
flee to the renewed attacks of the press.
/ We cannot qualify, in more moderate
terms, the conduct of the opposition jour-
nails III relation to recent events After
having themselves provoked an address,
attacking the prerogatives of the throne,
they have not scrupled to consider the
reelection of the 22l deputies who vot-
ed this address, as a matter Of principle,
Notwithstanding your Majesty objected
TO this address as offensive; it attached
public reproach to the refusal or con-
currence which was there expressed it
announced its mistaken resolution not to
defend the rights Of your crown so OPEN
ly compromised. The periodical prints
have paid no attention to this, on the
contrary they have considered it duty
to renew, to perpetuate, and to aggravate
the offence. Your Majesty will decide
if this rash attack should longer time
remain unpunished.
Il But of all the exccsses of the press,
perhaps the most serious remains to be
mentioned From the very commence
ment of the expedition, the termination
of which has thrown glory, SO pure
and an eclat so durable upon the crown
of France, the press has criticised, with
violence unheard of the causes, tho
prcparatives and chances of success of
this expedition. Insensible to national
honor, no thanks to it that our ensign
does not remain tarnished with the insults
of barbarian. Indifferent to the great
interests of humanity. 1t does not de-
pend upon it that Europe is no longer
subject to cruel slavery and shameful
tribute.
| This was not enough. BY treason
that should be amcnabe to our laws, the
press has engaged itself in publishing all
the secrets of the armament, in making
known to the stranger the state of our
forces, the number of our troops, that of
our vessels, the indication of the points Of
station, the means to be employed to over
come the inconstance of the winds, and
land upon the coast Every thing, even
to the place of Decentralization, has been
divulged, as if TO form a surer means Of
defence to the enemy, an unexampled
circumstance among civilized nations; by
false alarms concerning the dangers to
be encountered, it has not feared to
throw encouragement into the army, and
to mark for its hatred even the chief Of
the enterprise; it has, so to speak, excit-
| ed the soldiers to raise against him the
standard ofrevolt or to desert their colors.
This is what the organs of party, pre-
tending itself national, have dared to. do.
What it dares every day to perform in
the interior of the kingdom, tends to
nothing less than to disperse the ele-
ments of public tranquility, to dissolve
the bands of society, and unless they
have deceived themselves, make the
earth to trenlble under our feet. Let us
not fear to reveal the whole extent of our
troubles, that we may the better appreci-
ate the extent Of our resources. Systema-
tizcd defamation, organized upon a grand
scale, and directed with unexampicd
perseverance,, extends even to the most
j humble of the public functionarics No
one of your subjects, sire, if he receives
the least mark of confidence or satisfac-
ton, is secure from outrage. A large
net, extending over France, envelopes all
the public tunctionaries impeached before
the public; they appear in manner, shut
I out from society none are spared but those
whose fidelity wavers;nonc are pralsedbut
those whose fidelity falls sacrifice-
the rest arc marked out, sooner or later,
to be inundated to popular vengeance,
The press has not manifested less zeal
in attacking, with its cnvenomcd darts, sour
religion and our clergy. Its object IS to
root out the last germs OF religious senti-
ments. Doubt not, sire, but by attack
ing the basis of our faith, corrupting the
s,arces of public morals, and by heaping
dcrision and contempt upon the ministers
and alters of our holy religion, that it will
accomplish its purpose.
/ No force, we must avow, is capable OF
resisting so energetic dissolvcnt as tho
press. AT all periods, when its shackles
have been stricken of, il has burst forth
and invaded the state. Notwithstanding
the diversity Of circumstances and tho
numerous changes of individuals who
have occupied the political arena, wo
cannot but be forcibly impressed with the
similarity OF its effects during the last fif-
teen years-in word it is destined to
rccommence the Revolution, the princi-