The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-13
european 1ntelligenfe.
From our London papers by the last Ar
rival.
Cores oondence of the London Times

rival.
Correspondence Of the London Times.
PARIS, April 90
mentioned in my letter of Friday evening, that
Nj. Proudhon about to be transferred to the
fortress of Doullens. His removal to that sricter
place of confinement took place on the following
merning. II is now superfiuous to dwell on the
character of Nj. Proudhon's writings-La Pro-
priefe, c'est k Vol, and his name Synonymous.
M. Proudhon had been prosecuted for an article in
his paper, of more than usually seditious and sub
versve character, found guilty by the jury and
sentenced by the court to, believe, two years i'm
prisonment. He had fled from justice; but, after a
short absence, he entered the French territory,
and surrendered. During the time he has been in
prison, he was treated with unexampled lenity. He
was allowed even TO go abroad on parole and on the
occasion of his marriage was permitted TO be absent
for some days. In prison he was permitted to see
his friends, and his place of custody in other
spects did not differ, so far as the relaxed regula-
tons allowed, from his ordinary place of abode
when at liberty. NJ Proudhon profted by these
indulgences TO repeat the offence for which he had
been condemned. He continued to write and pub
iish articles and letters of kind equally
BILE in the eye of the law with those which had oc
casioned his punishment He was consequently
obliged to submit to severe detention, and was
debarred Of the liberty which he had wantonly and
defyingy abused. In this state he passed some
days, but he again enjoyed nearly the same relax
alton as BEFORE so far seeing his political and his
private friends was concerned, in giving his pro-
mise, in writing, that he would abstain from writ
ing in the public journals.
M. Proudhon gave the promise required. How
this promise was kept, the few extracts from the
savage article the dreadful disaster of the bridge
of Anglers, which have already communicated,
will have shown. The meaning of that article was,
that the unfortunate men who were drowned were
victims of their Socialist opinions, and an excite
ment to the army of the most dangerous kind. A
feeling OF oathing and horror only be inspired
by the cold and ptiless style in which that dread
full calamity was spoken Of Proudhon from his
prison, as in other days Marat from the depths of
the noisome dungeon, where his fear drove him
TO In the moment OF danger, cries: "Have no doubt
Of the matter, bourgeois, If you want blood you
must take il from yourselves; you must open your
own veins TO procure it," The hypocrisy which
would make such a a martyr TO his virtues
and the cause Of liberty, only shows an incompre-
hensible perversity Of the human mind. Proud
hon, Of course, protests against his removal to
Doullens, and declares that he is punished merely
because he is the apostle Of reconciliation, peace,
and good will amongst men! Yet in the COM
mencenent of his published protest he admits that
the measure taken with respect To him is perfectly
consistent with the law on the regulations of the
prison. According 10 the law and the regula-
TONS" he says:
"'Any individual sentenced TO imprisonment
for period exceeding year is liable to be trans
ferred TO a central place Of detention. Up TO the
present this rule has not been applied TO persons
imprisoned in consequence Of offences Of the press
And we have seen under the monarchy such per-
sons, sentenced to more than fifty years imprison
ment remain in Paris near their friends and their
families. For the first time the ministry, by send
ing me 70 Doullens, acts exceptionally. Vigorously
speaking he is right. Therefore, do not accuse
him But Is his conduct consistent with equity and
with reason! deny it,
at is the height Of absurdity that a man can be
allowed the continuance Of the offence for
which jury found him guilty and a court of jus
tice sentenced him 10 punishment.
"You will scarcely believe that IL has been more
than insinuated that the victims of the disaster of
Anglers were compelled TO the fate that destroyed
them from political causes; and attempt has
been made to excite such feeling amongst the
army. About half an hour before the devoted bat
talon Of the 18th reached the fatal bridge, two bat
taons Of the line and squadron of hussars had
already traversed IL, and nothing whatever occur
red TO show that danger existed The bridge is, il
seems the ordinary passage for the troops and the
most direct route TO the castle where the general
was waiting for the arrival TO review the entire
column.
The latest accounts that have reached concur in
describing the effect produced by the presence Of
the President of the Republic amongst the survi-
and the inhabitants Of the town and surround
ing country. Those who had taken refuge in pri
yste houses quilted their beds 10 him, and
many who were disabled were carried on stretch
ers to the ground where he was, in company with
General CASTELAR,, reviewing the remains Of the
battalion. The President addressed words Of com
Tort aud consolation TO each and all, and left them,
limited HE are, substantial marks of his
sympathy. The hospitals where the wounded were
lying (for many had been pierced by their own
bayonets or those Of their comrades while strug-
some affecting scenes are described by eye witness
es 70 have taken place.
''The President called together the members
OF the town council, the medical attendants, the
sisters OF charity, and in an affecting address
thanked them in the name Of the army and the
country for the zeal and humanity they dispa we'd
during the sad occurrence that had taken plsc.
He conferred on a certain number Of them the dec
Grafton Of the Legion Of Honor. He then proceeded
10 the barracks OF the llth where he was received
by officers and men with reclamation. A sergeant,
who had particularly distinguished himself, and
had saved from watery grave many Of his com
rades, was melted 10 tears by the kind words adj
dressed 10 him by the Prince and was so affected
at receiving the Cross Of the Legion Of Honor, thai
he was carried from his presence fainting.
"The President visited the scene Of the disaster
and examined very closely every part OF the bridge
The wire ropes we're found in some parts 10 have
been completely oyidized. A strctinqury is now
going ON into the whole affair.
1.-The local journals filled with the account Of
the religious ceremony that took place on the occa-
sion, and the intcrment; one hundred and eighty.
one bodies buried in immense grave
Each corpse had its coffin. Since then twenty five
dead bodies were recovered from the water; hfteer
more missing. Nothing could be more edfy
ing than the demeanor Of the soldiers and inhab
tants Of during the cerenonesin the church
and the cemetery. The bodies were taken to thu
grave by the soldiers OF the 18th Of the Line.
at is stated, very seriously, that demand ia
writing lie about 70 be presented 10 M. Eugene su,
in the name Of the large fraction OF the Socialist
party who have been Obliged 10 accept, though NOT
with much enthusiasm, his csndidstesbip. This
demand or memorial, will, IL IL said, be drawn up
in due form, and couched in a very respectful man.
ner. II will be headed by quotation from M.