The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-09
rHE LONDON TIMES AND rnE FRENCH EMPEROR


was entertained on his recent visit London Ii
triumph which might well the head Of queh less
ambitious and more serupuous tbaa The French En-
peror. But amidst this general jubilee Of adulaton no
spectacle was more gratifying to the triumphant Emperor
than that exhibited by the London Tmesthe humiliation
Of that journal amongst his greatest triamphsit was
triumph over the freedom Of the press in England Not
longer ago than the 81 Of February 1852 the British min
isry insdgaed supposed BY Louis Napoleon, en-
ored 10 restrain the freedom Of the Times in comment
ing upon the conduct Of public and public Affairs
The subject was brought 10 the attention Of Parliament
and we chance have the reply Of the Times TO this at
tempt to muzze the press There has been nothing written
since the days of Junius that surpasses il in force of ex
preston or beauty of style It's sentiments to The free
dom OF the press win be endorsed by every American
We transfer it entire columns with the single re-
mark that amongst the ycophantic haterers Of the En-
peror on bis late visit London the Times is conspicuous
How the London Times OF 1852 contrasts with the London
Times Of 1855 the reader win clearly when he has Pc
rused the following that journal of the former date
Nature has implanted in the mind Of genuine and
dsinterested feelings which refer all actions to an internal
standard utterly independent OF or failure II Is m
this perception Of right and wrong Of dignity aud worth
essness that differ from ALI other animals and in IT'S nee
and manly expression yndcate right to consider our
something better and more permanent than inc beasts
that perish When great crimes committed 1t accord
ing the OF things that they should for time re-
main unpunshed because their pepetator seldom ventures
on them without the prospect Of immediate mpuny But
ii is equally according to the nature Of things that those
crimes should with immediate and earnest reprooaton
hose dictates of conscience which have been yio-
lated in act should any assert their dignity and pro-
nouuce their sentence Unsuccessful crime its punish
ent but there theme worthy the hand Of public
writer as the exposure Of successful treachery-
When in violation Of his solemn OATH Of the trust which
he had undertaken and the which he had repeat
edy given Louis Napoleon seized the supreme Of
France Imprisoned her masacred her
full citizens gagged her press and eaguing himself with the
dregs of people, declared against learning genius
eoqusnce and vao did stop to inquire whether there
was anything be gained by passing these things in
silence we felt and held such violation of all
laws human and divine the ignominy which it deserved
Had tho plague herehad the Dictator Of France
after trampng under his feet her laws her liberty and her
renown seriously applied hnscfo the work of reconstruc
tion determined to exercise for the benefit Of mankind
power obtained by their slaughter their oppression, and
their degradaonwe should have felt bound according to
usual practice abandon useless complaints and to give
full credit the government for whatever good it
might have been able to effect. But if urged on
by the INCAPABLE guilt Of the first crime the ruler Of
France has proceeded to fill up r period Of the two
short months which have elapsed since his accession to
power with series of offences than ustng the opin
which had at first expressed and covering with shame
the few among who have advocated his We lind
that the which have thus adopted however in
coance with honesty and sincerity has incurred the
sure noble lords whose opinion less clear
aud paramount duty should receive with every respect
Can be sad that structures have not been true that
in seeking analogies from the darkest periods Of Pagan
history have all exaggerated the repsve features of
military sway2 Or is it thought that divided by
thread Of from land which groan under this Preto
rian tyranny have too little interest in the matter make
theme of earnest and constant discussion We do not
apprehend that any Of these objections be seriously adj
vanced and the only other ground of exception the
dom Of structures must be unwngnes hear unwe-
truth told of governing power ard fear that
needesy provoking potent and INSCRIPTIONS enemy For
the first Of these motives entertain little respect II may
dsagreeabe for the ortysx titled and untitled
ladies and gentlemen who recently partook the sple
did hospitality Of the Tuleries to be told the real
character and pretensions Of the person at whose
banquet they had the matches condensation assist.
Graded in the lap Of liberty, nourished in healthy
moral atmosphere, and habituated to freedom Of thought
speech and action, they probably have the sensbil
~ to feel the dhonor, though they had not the self
respect resist the aurements of the Imperial banquet 1t
give them little pleasure be told that their reve
decked at the expense Of nation bae cheated OF
liberties and of royal house through whose atchcss
cemency alone their entertainer enabled celebrate
festival over its ruin They cannot like to be told that they
lent sre to feast nauguratng Of spoliaon and
that little they contributed to counteDancc their host they
did much possible to dcredit their country Possibly
the two noble lords who successfully our
colonies may be without sympathy for man who has
only been able Cypress but TO silence all complaint
his OPPRESSION and might willingly behold the press this
island reduced the dcorous tacurnty as that
France but from Lord John Russell should pected
other sympathes, and may fairly complain of censor
who his Foreign Secretary for speaking well Of
Louis Napoleon and quares with the press speaking III
of him.
the provocalion uhicht is alleged that we are Civ
ing 10 powerful enemy, confess that Ashamed
be called to notice accusation In France crime
succeeds crime without the possibility Of voice being raised
line written against IT, Al that shows that heart yet
the PROSTATE and apparently inanmae form
the fetered giant stied find uterance The
moderate and cautious protests which inoleabe
wrong has wrung from the most tmd opponents and the
ardent supporters OF the President would die unheard
and unrecorded it not for the echo this side Of
chawne which catches them up and reverberates them
notes distant but sti alarming import to bow
the that which has destroyed the press
Paris or are merely print these things and abstain
from tho conent which they invite? Is every action Of our
the subject Of the freest and ct
unseered criticism, and abstain from Offering an
opinion the rulers OF foreign countrie2 Or
remarks the conduct Of powers weak remote
but 10 be awed into silence when dealing with those
powerful Are to ny at small game and while
eensuring the irregularities OF Naples Portugal to view
with tolerant seTvy the aoerratous Of France OF Russia
We apprehund This island the la asylum not ONLY for
the political exios, but fer The liberal and constitutional
ideas the OF Europe Here al least the truth may
be told In safety Ii has been the practice Of this
country hold her liberties the uerance orhearanc
foreign poteniate We not free by the will
France, bat by and trust the maintenance Of
our freedom The fo5earsuce Of neishbor but
our own strength. That strength is fully adequate to W