The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-24

Trial and Conviction OF M. Proudhon, the
Socieli:t, In France-COurt OF Assixes OF
. MARCH 20, 1s4o.-An the entrances to the court
house were crowded at an early hour in the morn
ing, by an anxious crowd, desrous of witnessing
the important trial about to come on The great
est number Of the assembled multitude appeared
to be socialists 1t was known that the accused,
eagerness of the disciples to hear something from the
mouth Of their teacher The interior Of the court was
filed at early hour. There considerable num-
Der OF ladies in the crowd among whom the of violet
predomnated in their bonnets, ribbons, and bows Ia
color presume indicative Of socialist
Many among these ladies spectacles to give them
spectability.
After some time, NJ Proudhon made his appearance.
and took his place at the side of NJ Montau, his law
yer His well known figure the object of universal
attention, and he assumed stiff immovable attitude
He seemed however to be highly delighted with being
So evidently the object Of so much popular curiosity
the Methodists would say.
Near to him were observed several members Of the
Assembly, belonging to the mountain party viz M
Gent, M Jolly, and Charles Dain. Ali the editorial
At half past 10 o'clock the proceedings were opened
M. R.ynard de Franc occupied the bench, Public
The several articles from The People (he journal con-
Quoted by NJ Proudhon) on which the accusation
founded, were then read. There two articles,
published in The People, on the Goth and 27th Of
January last, one of them entitled, Sitting Of the
President of the Republic is Responsibe" both signed
P. j Proudhon. 1t was charged against NJ. Proudhon,
stution and intended to excite the citizens to
hatred and contempt towards each other; also that
of the President of the Repubc that they tended
disturb the the public peace exciting hatred among
the citizens towards each other and calculated
excite hatred and contempt against the government
the republic. a.. , .
examined
The PREsrDEsr-Duchene, the accused, what are your
JOHN DucHENE-I am rs years of age; am the MANA
Of he PeODe | cknOW lpI hav
published the articles crmipated; take the respon-
sbility.
hon)-Proudhon the accused what are your names ??
The AccusED-Peter Joseph Proudhon,
PREs-Your age?
ANswEp-I am 40 years old
PREs.-Where were you born?
Alt Besancon.
PREs-What is your profession
Al am director of the Journal The People,
PRrs.-Do you confess to the authorship of the two
articles signed with your name, and published in the
numbers of journal the Goth and 9th January!
Ayes do
PREs.-Do you the responsibility of these two
articles I!
A.-CWith much solemnty) -Yes I do altogether and
entirely
PREs.-Sit down; you will now hear the charges
made against you.
Hereupon the ATTORNEY GENERAL rose and entered
upon the public accusation He went into lucid ex-
position of the theory of the constitution and ex
pressed his astonshment that this great instrument
should not be respected by of all parties inasmuch
it was an emanation Of the will of the people, and
was the work Of representatives. of the people, elected
unlVersdl lie tnen proceeded to depict the
situation Of affairs and the circumstances under which
these two articles were published Great agitation was
then regning in the capital important questions were
being debated in the Assembly, among them the famous
proposition of M. Rateau public opinion was deeply
agtated and under such circumstances the thoughts
Of public writer which may be in themselves worthy
of respect become matter of cupability if they are
uttered in such shape would be capable Of stirring
up the popular passions.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL then proceeded after rea l.
ing and enlargng upon the articles to set in full light
before the jury the guilt which attached to them He
concluded by expressing the hope that the jury would
partake of his opinion.
When the Public Accuser had concluded his address,
the counsel for the accused, NJ Montan entered upon
the defence of the two accused persons,
The Court having heard the whole on both sides re-
served its decision to the next day; when Proudhon
was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fine
of three thousand francs-his associate editor heinz
condemned to one year Of Imprisonment and fine O:
thousand francs.