The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-30
TnE PRESS GAG Law IN FRANCE.


------------~-----
The Recent ElectisnS-The French Psiitical
CsnsoFshiy-SuGpensaon OF In PreAse-De-
cree sf the Minister Of the Interior.
The publication Of the following article in La
Presse has led to the suspension Of that journal by
the French government, for two months:-
from Ia Pre@e, Dec. 81
In the elections which took place in the month Of
June last, the democratic party made sure OF the
triumph of seven Of its candidates; two Of them
Messrs. Carnot and Goudchaux, refused to take the
oath prescribed by the constitution. Did these two
pursue the most sensible the most reasonable course
Did they do their duty to the cause which the seven
men elected by the democracy had undertaken to
serve? There is evidently on one side or the other
mistake and false calculation. On which side is
the error? Who made the false calculation?
We know that this is a delicate question, and we
should not have put it II we were mixed up with any
coterie whatever. But in this journal, we thank
Heaven, accustomed to think and speak freely
according to the impressions OF the moment and
without consulting anybody, either as TO what 1t
may be convenient to say or AZ to the choice of the
period when il is convenient to say IT.
Coteries REQUIRE TO ne served with ones eyes
closed; all their caprices must be accepted without
examination and devotion must be shown TO them
by the sacrifice of reason. They resemble peevish
and vain women, who only feel fattered by the fol-
lies which are committed in their behalf, and who
regard true and sincere attachment as an INJURY
done to the power of their charms.
We do not belong to this class of worshippers; we
do not believe anger and obstinacy TO be the only
homage worthy of the democratic Our friends
know that our zeal is not lukewarm, but they Know
also that it is neither thoughtless extravagant.
We are aware that il is convenient to hide ones self
under the shadow of coteres and in this way great
many people dispense with having an opinion OF
their own; but we likewise know that those who Hat
ter party by betrayng their convictions are hypo-
critics who will ruin the best cause In politics az IN
religion we are in favor of independent reason against
blind faith. Let us now examine the question raised
by the conduct of Messrs. Carnot and Goudchaux.
Mr.. Carnot, owing to the name he bears, has an
eminent position and considerable influence amongst
the democratic party. Mr.. Goudchaux, allied by
long services to the democracy, enjoys the esteem
of all parties. He possesses special and valuable ac
quirements and is of most honorable and straight
forward character He is gallant man, In the full
sense of the term.
When such men, in such position, and above
all under such circumstances, are mistaken a. 70
what is to be done, it is great misfortune. Their
example instead OF being useful to their party, can
not but inure and lead il astray. Let u.s. therefore
see whether the action Of Messrs. Carnot and Goud-
chaux is conformable contrary to the wishes, dis
positions and interests of the democratic party.
There has eristed for sererai months in the pub
hc mind rague terror, ,chch strikes erery affen
tire observer and ,chteh Je'c days since zoe
takeabie reriral Of public spirit The hour
Of decisive resolution erident at hand. The
problems that preoccupy the political ,corid are SIM
piifying themselves; the positions of the leaders are
each other and counting up their strength. The war
of principles is dctire than erer; deeply dgi-
fafes Piedmont and Belgium, and the part that zoe
inroiunfary take in the triumph Of our friends an
Turin and Brussels is proof that the Piedmontee
and Beigidns are NOT alone interested IN a. seems
as If zoe had all heard from end Of Europe to The
other a r0ce crying out TO us, Rise and De DONG!
Are we to remain deaf TO this mysterious voice?
Are we, living always in our recoections and in
our regrets to sink deeper and deeper pto our des
pondency like those falirs of India who stupify
themselves into comica state OF immobility by con
tnualy turning the tail Of cow in their hands! The
question has been put six months ago, and the i'm
mense majority Of the democratic party has settled
II against the partEans Of the policy Of despair and
Is the revolutionary party to initiate the legtimst
party which, by abstaining from action, has ended
In notification and that singular state of isolation
which renders II as II were foreign on its own soil!
The legitmist party IL a corpse which was galva-
nized by the allies in the year 1915, and which led
an artificial life up to the year 1880. AT that period
il laid itself down again in its tomb, from whence,
Heaven be praised, IL s no more to rise Have we
also laid ourselves in the tomb without hope OF
resurrection
Messrs. Carnot and Goudchaux were not Of this
opinion six months ago, when, provoking the eecto
raj movement and taking resolute part In II, they
formed committees, wrote circulars, sent them TO
the departments and deposited them at the office Of
the Attorney General. Why, therefore, abstain
at present, whilst then they agitated themselves
and others so energeticalyf What signihed
then that electioneering campaign To what
purpose those repeated appeals, those memoirs
OF advocates, those newspaper articles, and a
recourse TO the courts of appealp Are we then az
ter all to witness only comedy legal pastime IN
that struggle so spontaneously engaged in, 40 pa
tienty supported, and which ended in success
In 1852 Mr.. Henon refused TO take the oath.
Now yielding TO the wishes Of his electors. he en-
tiers the legislative body. Wherefore do not Messrs.
Carnot and Goudchaux show the same Difference to
the not less formal will Of the electors Of Parisf
Experience condemned the policy Of those who in
the month Of June preached indifference and ab
stenton. But after all their policy, however II may
have been condemned, IL easily to be understood;
IL Is the obstinate error OF a rigorsm pushed 10
cess. This rgorsm bears the respectable character
Of the sentiment which inspires u, and deserves the
respect OF those who cannot share II.
But what respect can be inspired by the conduct
Of those who after having six months ago preached
action, when the issue OF the struggle and the
opinion Of the democratic party were doubtful con.
denim and abandon IL now that success has 80 fully
justified IL You appealed 20 a struggle; you AMI
mated the weak and carried with you the wavering.
Exdeputes newspaper writers, citizens OF all ranks
and professions, we have concerted, enlightened
and mutually encouraged each other, and this com.
munon Of action, strengthened by your personal
triumph, you now attempt 70 destroy.
We have summed up our strength; we know that
we are great party devoted TO revolution equally
decided 10 defend t. as we'll against those who want
10 destroy il in spirit those who want 70 profane
IL. We have amongst us men strong In talent, ex.
perence, courage and public consideration, and You
want NJ b remain luIe anu 10 tenouhCe All these
advantages.
The voters, when You called them 10 the polls,
were under the impression that you wanted TO lead
them a. generals marching st the head OF conf.
dent and obedient troops, and they answered
your call. What must they think now when
they perceive that they have been the toys Of cote
ries contrivance or OF personal vanity! They had
chosen you--they were expecting You TO proceed 10
the work: and you forsake them. They viii forsske
you In their turn; Of this you may be certain. You
would have been in the minority OF the legislative
body; you will now be in the minority OF your own
party.
We know that we will be asked what useful or
important acts Mcssrs. Carnot aud Goudchaux would
have performed in the Legislative body That is
another question, which we intend TO examine at
some future time. To-day our purpose is merely TO
protest against conduct which will infuse doubt and
dependency into public opinion.
But does public opinion exist at present. Tn.
doubtediy IL does. whatever may be said by those
who have their reason for seeking TO drown it,
voice. For period II has confined It's career and
,t. s., rhan hut fLa