The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-07
The Extinction Of IN. Press IN France.

The organic decree Of Louis Napoleon against the
French prcse-whieh We publish else where in eur
columns-is perfect curiosity as State paper. AT
one fell swoop it not only destroys the miserable
remnant that left Of the liberty ofthe press, but
It's very existence is, TO all ncnts and purposes,
initiated Let us see what this decree is
II has two grand principles. In the first place no
newspaper, journal, periodical, be publish
ed without the authority Of Louis Napoleon; and
secondly there is the substitution of correctional
jurisdiction for that of the jury, in trying political
offences committed by the press Witnesses will not
be admitted; and the power is absolute ofextnguish-
ing any paper that may become obnoxious, or even
suspected by the government, that dares even to
hint dislike. journal may be suppressed without
previous condemnation. by decree of the executive
This is far worse than the censorship that was 20
dreaded. No paper will be permitted, in the first in
stance, to exist, Of which Louis Napoleon is not s,-
tsed that it is friendly to his interests; and if it
should turn out that he deceived or if the paper
should change to an opposition journal, that mo-
ment it is demolished 1t is forbidden to publish re-
ports OF trials for press offences, and the may
prohi bit publication of other trials.
Then there is the enormous sum of so 900 francs
or about $4,000, 4 caution money, which must be
NSPVssSu nc rScuiity 10 the government. uuUy
papers, and $4,000 francs for all others and the
publication Of a paper without lodging the caution
money. or without the authority of the executive
subjects the offender fine OF from l00f to 2000f for
each number, with imprisonment from one month to
| two years But the most singular part Of the de-
cree is the prohibition Of the circulation in France
Of newspapers published in foreign countries, unless
| authorized by the government, and paying the
| same stamp duties imposed domestic papers. if
| not exempted under diplomatic convention.
| The practical operation Of this rule will be,
II carried out, to prevent the introduction of all
American and English newspapers in France, except
| those which fatter Louis Napoleon. This is worse
| than the rule Of the Autocrat of Russia, which
| admit the newspapers Of all foreign countries In
| fact since the beginning of the world such law
was never promulgated against the press, and the
code Of Draco himself had nothing to match it.
Thus, with one breath the two great safeguards Of
| human liberty-tho press and trial by jnry-are
| struck down together. To conduct journal under
such decree would be greater punishment than
TO be condemned to the galeys, and any man Of
| independent spirit would rather earn his bread in
the most mental employment, than submit to it,
This decree is the browning tyranny of the despot
the cap Of the chmax-the apex Of the pyramid
whose foundation laid in the coup detat Of the
I'd Of December last The structure is now COM
pete. and it will be looked upon in after ages as an
extraordinary monument Of human daring and am
bion, having for its basis the weakness and frivoty
OF the French national character It is the slave
makes the tyrant and after all, the dictator is not
so much TO blame as the people, who not only tole-
rate him, but have stamped the broad seal Of their
sanction upon his acts by such vote as was never
given for any man seeking office before They have
ratified his despctism by seven millions and half
oil snirage, and the present is but the ma
tulal sequel Of the drama. Of which, however we
have not yet scen the deaoeen,cn.
We read in ancient history Of a nan named Era
tesiatns, who, in order to perpe,uate his memory
set fire TO the magnificent temple Of Diana at Ephe
sus The name Of Louis Napoleon will be handed
down TO latest poserty in connection with the dcs-
tluction Of the liberties of his country There i
just feature in his career that retecms from nj.
ter namy-it is its bodness. There j. dash ofcou-
rage about il that of the bearing Of Napoeon
| the Great II has been said by n di,ttn~n;abcd
French writer, that power is like pyralnid: whose
| top is reached by two kinds Of m,n-one OF them
being like roptes who creep TO their object while
the other KIND take possession oft by sudden. bold
stroke Ike he soaring fight of the eagle II is evident
mat LOUIS Napoleon is of the latter class Whether
swift arrow shall take him down from his pride
OF place, OF whether the imperial bird is destined
10 perch where he i till he dies natural death is
problem that remains to be solved. Certain il is
that he has got rid of dangerous influence
against hlin-an opposition press: but il may turn out
in the end that il would have been better have allow
ed the Journalists togse vent to their Indignation in
paper warfare than that they should be nursing their
wrath 70 kcepit warm. and probably Matching some
plot against his power, if not his life This has been
always the danger to tyrants when they destroy the
liberty Of the press and suppress the right fpublc
meeting and discussion II was the sitting Of the
voice OF the press that drove Charles Y. from the
| throne OF France. and produced the revolution in
| loS0, which resulted in making Louis Philippe
| kIng OF the French. 1t was the suppression ofa
banquet at Paris at which it intended to express
OPINIONS upon the government, that overthrow the
Bourbon dynasty and sent Louis Philippe across the
water 10 England disguised in pea jacket It
would be curious result if this utter extinction of
journalism in France led to the overthrow Of Louis
Napoleon, and sent him. not the channel but
perhaps over the river Styx. But it is wonderful
how men can endure even the extremes of despotsm
when they get used to 1t: and the French people
seem to have become perfectly reconciled to their
conditions consoing themselves with the reflection
that they would be far worse off under a red repub
lican reign of terror When they are satisfied with
their master, "outside barbalians have no right 10
fin fault with him.
HE SqrABBLEs OF THE DEMOCRACY. The savage
protest OF the Cass delegates against the nomination
Of Mr.. Buchanan by the Pennsylvania Convention.
is but one case of dozen Of the squabbe- aud rank