The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-10
The French Press and the First and Last
Revolution.

Revolution.
By the last mail from Europe it is announced that
Aristide Olivier, the editor Of Suffrage Universal,
has been killed in duel, by Gineston, one of the
journalists of LEcho du MIDI, who has been
wounded, also, it is said, MORALLY Here is type
of the fact that the French newspaper press has not
advanced out of the pale of individual selshness,
ince the first revolution, when blood and massacre
spraug from the passions which were the drea Hui
manifestations of that epoch. Yet, in the face OF
such fact as this recent duel, we are aware that
there are French journalists who will contend for the
superiority OF Partisan journalism over that of Lon
don and of New York, and who will struggle to ex.
cite admiration for that literature Of the selfish pas
sions which distinguishes the French press from the
practical, moral, law loving and law-abiding htera
ture of the English and the American journals.
Recently. we intma ted, in taking general sur
vey Of the character Of the French press, the nur-
Gus tendencies Of the Parisaz journals with regard
20 the cause Of popular liberty and the establish
ment Of liberal and Heightened government, and
by series Of argumentatye illustrations, aimed to
show plainly and concusivey, that the journals Of
Paris are wanting in the first elements which
can make newspapers useful to society and TO the
body polite Since the announcement has been
made Of the fatal termination Of the duel between
two Partisan journalists, are pared to say fur
Their, that the character of the French newspapers
Is to day as utterly corrupt, and hostile to the
public welfare and to the perpetuity Of wholesome
republican government, as in the first French revo-
ton, 1t the close Of the last century Does any one
doubt the truth Of the assertion At this very hour
have we no parallesms between the journals OF
Paris az present existing, and those which in the
days Of r obespierre inAamed the passions Of the
multitude. and lei on the whole train Of muir
icrs, assassination, executions. and slaughter Of
tuoeent women sud men las the revolution Of
1sis rrescnted save the fact th-' deaths have not
se,n necpssay the exal,ltoa cf those in the 20
I.icsl fcld any point that exhibits the patriot
ism Of the revolutionary puppets superior TO that
which wac seen burning In the brcasn osthe revolu-
.3nists when the Bourbon throne was x inguished
Let history, and the present aspce. Of French poll
4 and journalism, answer.
Out Of Jeln Jacques Rosseau sprnns the eloquent
sut yensl minded, corrupt ard prohigatc Nirn5eau,
vho played IT'D the f ars aud fancics OF kings a.
his follower, Gotospierre, more honesty, ani far
more fatally. ray cd With tn p-eudices passions,
ani powers Of the people. i,rAoeau made mis-
tftss ofLs printers wifo arl ranzfcrred Ms elo-
auent voice 20 bis lay organ, isued solely for his
him Others s,ld themselves and were no, paid.
lie made !, his boast that he cold hims,lf, d was
paid. His speeches-the editorials Of thai hour
when The revolution da wned-were devoted e any
.hinr bat the wlle re Of the Iesp;s France was a
worthless table. upon Viii n be ooly desired 70 play
cut his gamos--the people we're passive spectators
who had nothing 10 DO With the stakes. tie played
III. robson took him oa, and his ioarna' sm ncther
ravcd the nation nor himself. lie left the tabl'
fr other selfish monsters 20 play upon and from tao
teuible depths Of The revolution, .aey crawed out
ono By one, hi.Ieous % the sight and devastating
20 che lat decree in their havoc. Each had Ia.
pres a. pa t )f che enginery 81 his Own PcrsonaI
ambition but France bal no press-no Journalist
no iricnd-no houes. man who did not look beyond
bimsel! to the future q the nation. Each jour
nalist ben, es NV, w4s political Eiser, or a
crook scked Ricbard, N his own peculiar sphere.
The rep1bnc fret Ond the oties last never touched
-beir sensib ities. "Aly theory arst, aud the re-
pubic that may lprirr from il !" was rad ia The
thought rropost 7ns, and actots Of every ae Ire
republican. Sue, 10 a very great extont, is tAe
position of French journalists aal Journalism TO-
day Printing was believed D. b. tho polu ians
rhiiosoybor's stone. and i VS. used 70 trinsau,e
everything political into the power of oDta'aiug
good FOR the possessor Thus re Gad Csniilc
pesmouiips, with bis Bicogrs ~ 10 L7n'vHe o.
ahe R,rolviions 10 G.qiIpt-Freron. the B,11th.
niece oftbe Jsoobins il tbs Ors.av r P,gs, where