The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-08-25


EMILE GIRARDN AND THE PREssE.-Ik. Mar
vel, in review Of the Partisan papers, thus
characterizes Emile Girardin and the journal of
which he is editor:
The Presse background by itself It was prin-
cipally owned and edited by Emile GiraTdn,
whom we have already seen pushing his way TO
the Palace on the 23d of February-a man who
had first won notoriety by his advocacy Of cheap
paper system, and by his due-murder Of the be-
loved Armand CaFrel. He was now enlisting at
1tention by the reeklessness Of his course and by
the extraordinary vigor Of his paragraphs
His cheap system, as much from the energy and
determination of the man, as from its intrinsic
value, had triumphed, 1t had made Girardin and
his paper rich. It had spread his Journal among
sixty thousand subscribers in every quarter Of
France, and had given to his articles larger daily
circulation than was commanded by any other liv-
ing writer, or by any existing journal.
He had enlisted in his columns able financial
and diplomatic contributors, and such literary aids
as Lamartlne, ChateaubraRd, Pelletan and Du-
mas. ,Notanother paper had such attractive array
Of Feuilleton names. OF general news-a depart
ment in which French journals are far inferior to
either English or Amerean-he was fullest and ear.
lest eXpoftOr.
Of political discussion, he was himself chief
turnisheri he possessed the happy art of catching
opinions IN advance; he detected and seized at
once the salient points occupying the public mind.
In this, his unring industry aids him no less than
his energy huu MS quick perceptions Ills tune Is
measured with incest economy. Hour after hour.
that pale, massive handsome forehead Of his is bent
over his desk in the dingy Rue MontRartre at sea-
sons when no sound stirs the street silence except
the groanlng nightcars, or the pace of the patrol
His short, sharp sentences EASY as thew seem are
carefully wrought His brilliant antitheses are all
pointed and polished with labor His vigor and in
dependence have won him a name and influence.
which soon his maddest vagaries cannot wholly
destroy.
The paper has been bitter opponent Of the
GuIZot policy, while it manifested little sympathy
for Theirs or BarFot. 1t accepted the Republic,
while it doubted Of its favorable issue under such
mnistTatOn as the Provisional Government furnish
ed. Il espoused democratic sentiment, while it
sneered at Louis Blanc and Raspail.
GiFardn possesses one of those antagonistic
minds which retains vigor and brightness only by
constant collision, If he descended TO praise he
would befeeble and insipid while be menacessor
condemns, he is strong and eloquent. His penchant
at one point led him too far for the spirit of the
time his Office was mobbed. But to such a man.
mObbing is an inyigorator. tt filings new venom
into his pen, and new briIliancy into his pleadings
lie delights IN proposing and advocating with in
finite address, schemes which are quite impossible.
He has all of Rosseau's vanity Of STYLE great deal
OF his adroltness, but none Of his sensibility He
might, perhaps, have written the Letters from
the Mountain, but he could not by any possibility
have accomplished the three first chapters Of the
Confession"
We shall see him struggling with prison, and the
seals of new powers upon his Presse-but pushing
successfully through all.
Upon the whole, the paper favored the Bourgeois
interest, as opposed to the crude demands Of labor
organsers it was nevertheless firm advocate for
the tulhllment OF all provisional promises. It dis
turbed more than any Journal of Paris the balance
Of the public mind, and has contributed through
out the stormy year, TO add to that infrigid hest
tatlng, vaclllating temper, which still bides the
issue of time and destiny. &.