Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-18
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT


PARIS, JUNE 2, 1858
| reported in one Of my late letters that capital
punishment for political offences-of which the
abolition was proclaimed by the Provisional Gov
eminent Of the Republic in February, 1S4S, and
solemnly affirmed in the Constitution of November
of that year-was about to be restored at the in
stance Of the Emperor of the French He did in
fact cause bill to be sent to the Legislative Corps
restoring to the penal code articles sc and 81,
which punished with death not only attempts upon
the life Of the King, or of any member of the royal
family, but also the political offences of any crimi-
nal attempt, with other intention than that of TAX
ing hfe, (for instance arrest, sequestration, &c)
upon the person of the King, or any member of
his family; Also all criminal attempts to change
the government and the order Of succession to the
throne by exciting to arms against the royal autho-
rty. had little doubt that this bill would become
law IN the form in which it was sent to the Cham
Der. But certain degree of repugnance having
been manifested by many members, the committee
which had the bill in charge proposed to the Council
Of State amendments, which,, with complasance not
all anticipated, were promptly acceded to, and the bill
sent back to the Legislature modified as the commit
tee desired and the articles SO and 81 of the penal code
have been restored in much less sanguinay form under
the empire of Napoleon III than they possessed under
the monarchy Of Louis Philippe It is nevertheless
that capital punishment for political offences has been
established in France The cases. however are fewer than
under the monarchy There are only three political Of
fences which, by the code just amended are punish
able by death. l. An attempt upon the life Of the En-
perer 2. criminal violation Of the person (aaeatai
coaea personnel Of the Emperor By this is meant ar
rest sequesatoR &C. without any intention to take
life g. An attempt upon the life of member Of the
Imperial family The other crimes mentioned above as
punished by death under Louis Philippe are by the
amended law punished by transportation aud confinement
in n fortress Of the State
The French papers universally rejoicing in this
triumph Of public opinion, which, they ny has even un-
der the empire made it impossible to re.estabish in
France the pain Of death for political offence There
has unquestionably been triumph Of public opinion
admit and it is the most remarkable evidence we have
vet had that there really does exist some where-not,
however in constitutions written laws and solemn en-
gauemensa practical check upon the absolute power Of
Napoeon ILL., hail the evidence the most suspicious
fact that has yet marked the Empcrors reign But 1t is
going too far to say that public opinion has prevailed
against the Emperor the prevention Of the restoration
Of the pain Of death for political offences The offence
marked No above is unquestonablya purely political
offence There is "person in France except that Of
the political character the Bmperor which is thus pro-
tected To-day Jerome Bonaparte, uncle Of the Empe-
ror might be arrested and sequesated and death could