New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-06-24
enormous.


in his character as journalist and also in his chse
ter as philosophical critic of what be regards u
social Misunderstanding, for that msttof, th
greater part of existing institutions and ussges-
N. Proudhon has enjoyed degree OF liberty hardly
conceded to any other writer since Napoleon Ill
assumed tho guardianship of the French p'csl
His last work, however, in three large volamsl
entitled "Justice in the Revolution and the Church;
New Principles Of Practical Philosophy hn
been made the occasion ofs prosecution, which IN
resulted in the condemnation of its author to thee
years imprisonment aud fine of four thousind
francs. This proceeding was the more unexpected,
since his former works had contained, moro or lM
distinctly all the ideas embodied in this, AID ~
peeially az he had obtained, as il we're, q sort Of
consent on the part Of tho authorities to 90 on viii
its publication. A Frankfort journal having a.
noupced the work as being in tho press, VITA Sons
hints as to its character, the French police hsdi'-
terfered, and had called the printer and publishx
TO account But Proudhon having waited on tho
Project Of Police, and warmly insisted on his rist
to enter on philosophical discussion Of social prob
lens, tho objections had been withdrawn, and ~
publication had been allowed to go on.
The judgment of the Court seems still 10 ,css-
cede this privilege Of philosophical discussion. or
as the Court expresses it, the right Of freely set
ting forth ones opinion aud discussing tie opni'a'
of others on every subject, even that Of religion IN
cluded. At the same time, the right ard duty
judicial interference is insisted upon whenever .b
discussion, passing the bounds Of wise m,deft
ton, assumes the character Of violence, and fns
gresses the boundaries Of allowable controversy
fixed by the laws. Such is the first Of the chAss
which serve as the foundation of Proudhon's 60
terce. He is accused of outragipg morality, PaS
lie ard religious BY speaking of religion aud Of ts
marriage relation in the most violent and lsJr
rious terms, tending and intended to give 10
most painful shock TO religious opinions for wha
the law commands respect. Thus be processes"
one object Of bis work, which be himself chr
acterizes as anti-theistic, TO " eliuinste Coz
useless" He speaks Of Christ as tie "putsa"
"son Of God" He represents the Church "s
tablisLed "outslde Of justice, Of when
does rot even possess the idea; ps
its flock "is composed exclusively
"the ricb;" that the poor "quit it because Is ~
"stepmother to the u; that it "debases the ns'''
"instead Of irstructiug it," thasis "Prsctic" ID"
'cantilnm;" that il makes money out OF e''I
"ihing;' that it "enrictes itself by spongns
that Like an adultsrous woman, it has 10" |"
" feeling OF tie own immortality" that Z" 10 en-
that is to soy, ts paradise, is robbery and neos
4" it serves Demon" Nor s:e his sarcasm'
outrageous upon the practices and tho Prge",
the Church, especially the Sunday service "n's
according to the Interpretation Of ito terms W..
he imputes to the Church, sis tissue Of iac.
ally, contradictory immoral even, and mp
"-sn incompreh ensble galimstiss.' lie oa'C
the Church, in its attempts TO reform ms
with having perverted The institution Of ms 80
desolated hearts, and inanned luxury; -.
:" it does not distinguish marriage from oo.0s
cage, but ble.ses both alike, provided i's -
ais uked;" that sit has Eads aeu!tsry "e
ollny Of marriage, which has iAIi 0o''-