The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-24
French Censorship In New York on Amari-
can Newspapers I'm Europe.


and the Eastern Powers of Europe, and the
position of the United States, or rather the
acknowledged sentiments of its people upon
the merits of that conference.-the value of
their friendship, and the possible expense of
their enmity-thought proper, as salvo, to
condemn the practice of British enlistments
here for the army of the Crimea. The Times
was touched by four points on the American
side and one on its own-the sensitiveness of
our people, their obvious sympathy with
Russia their laws on the subject Of foreign en-
listments, the preservation Of their neutrality,
and the interest of its own and the other allied
governments. These were viewed as important
considerations, and we're pressed home upon
the British Cat-~ct in the spirit of selfhood
with the usual force and sagacity of that jour
nal. The Times thought it easy to make en-
enemy and very difficult to make friend. This
was the word to the wise, and it was enough.
We have now to add another fact connected
with the present rule of Western Europe and
the interests and dignity of the American gov
eminent and people, for the consideration of
the Allies, and to demand another abandon
ment Of Intervention in our affairs The sub
ject is far more vital and important to the pre-
servation of a good understanding between the
governments of Western Europe, especially that
of France, and the people Of the United States,
than the question Of enlistments referred to.
We allude to the veXatious detention and
entire suppression, at times, of the New YORK
HERALD and other American papers, in Paris,
and at other points on the continent Of Europe.
An investigation into this subject has resulted
in proof of the establishment of French Cen
sorship of the press Of the United States in
tended for circulation in France, and other
parts Of Europe in the French Consulate of the
city of New York. NJ. de Persgny, in reply
to interrogatories, has informed the American
Legation in Paris that his government en-
ployed persons of that Consulate in this city
to read all the New York papers as they were
issued, and to mark and send out in advance by
every steamer such as had articles that should
be suppressed in the French Post Office.
The subject is one of grave Importance. It
cannot he measured by the mere inconvenience
to which Americans in Europe are subjected
by it, or ty the interest Of the journals which
are the subjects of its arbitrary interdictions
1t assumes at once national aspect. 1t is
violation Of the comfy and good understand
ing subssting between this government and
that Of the French Emperor. There is some
thing among civilized States besides fulfil
ment of the treaty obligations subsstng be-
tween them. However widely they may be
separated in their forms Of government, they
are in nowise relieved from the courtesies of
good ncighborhood the Offices Of friendly in
tercourse, and the duties Of forbearance and
mutual regard for the opinions and habits Of
each other.
The right Of a State to do many things,
which are equally oppressive and unjustifable
in the absence Of treaty stipulations, cannot
| lie questioned. II is competent for Louis Ma
| poleon's government, in this view, to declare
| the marriage contract between persons coming
| from the United States void to discharge
! seamen from the obligations of their shipping
papers; to prohibit commerce with his people,
and many other equally absurd and irrational
things but there is no presumption that he
will 50 act any more than there is presump-
ton that he will maintain agencies in New
York, in violation of the comities of inter-
course between France and the United States,
to sit in Judgment upon the matter that shall
he published here and circulated in Europe
This act of Franco American censorship, by
which the French government instead of con-
fning themselves to their own SOIL and to the
agency of their own police, have transferred
the exercise OF the most arbitrary powers over
American journalism to their officials in New
York and on American soil, is, however, some
thing more than a wanton violation Of the
mere comitics Of intercourse between the two
| countries. If il is not in contravention of the
! laws Of the United States it is because libe
raj people never supposed q case would arise
in which it would be necessary to prohibit the
officials OF a friendly State from exercising
such anomalous functions in this country. But
tie case does not end in the possible want of
power in our tribunals to exact the suppress
sion Of the practice The French Consulate
is directly responsible, and through it the
French government, and the President Of the
United States, hy whom the incumbent is adj
mitted to discharge his duties and to exercise
his legitimate functions. Among these can
not he ranked the censorship of American
newspapers designed for circulation in France
and Europe-the power to mark for reception
and suppresson-thus transferring the duties
Of the French police to its Consulate in the
city Of New Y ork.
No paper has been more liberal and gene
rous to Louis Napoleon than the New YoRg
HERALD; yet its large circulation in France
and Europe il frequently entirely suppressed
without cause or reason Ii is thus seen that
mere local intrigues, servility, ignorance, ma
lcvolence, or some unkindness towards the
HERALD here, may induce its utter suppression
in France, wholly regardless OF the matter
published, aud in violation of the spirit of the
constitution and laws of the United States
u is obviously the duty Of Congress, if the