Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-15
Liberty of Speech and the Press in France.

IL has been out q snort time since inc L euCu
Government gave several strong indications Of
its determination to check the liberty indulgedG
in by the French press. 1t was but the other
day that NJ. LACROIX, an eminent publisher,
felt the imposition of the strong hand Of the
Government. This NJ. LAcROIx is a wealthy
Belgian, who removed his magnificent lfagdSin
from Brussels to Paris, where his affairs soon
became immensely prosperous, and his estab
lishment the most attractive on the BOulevardS.
He became great favorite with the liberals,
and was intimate with the old enemies Of the
Government, such as YIcrOR HUGO, LOUIS
BLANC and GUIzoT. He inaugurated his sue
cess by publishing Les AiSerableS, which Is
said TO have found its way into almost every
house in France, and for which he paid YICToK
HUGO 100000 francs, (SSO,OOOl. His liberal
principles and associations attracted the atten-
ton OF the authorities, and it was not long be-
fore he gave them pretext for the exercise OF
restrictive power. He undertook the publica-
ton of the posthumous works of the great So
cialistsPRoUDHoN. The first that he ventured
upon was his notes on the new Testament, for
which he was accused of editing aud selling
work asSailing and ridiculing the Catholic reli-
gion, and all the other Christian doctrines re-
cognized in France. LAcROIX appeared before
the tribunal as his own counsel and advocate,
and is said to have spoken forcibly and elo-
auently, but unsuccessfully. He was con-
demned to one years Imprisonment and to pay
a heavy fine. 1t is said that LACRoIx's real
crime was his political independence and the
support he offered to all the writer's of the
liberal school.
How hard it is to keep down independent ut
terances, even in strong governments. II
checked at one point, and punished in the per-
son ofone publisher or speaker, they break out
at some other point and in the person of some
other publisher or speaker. The punishment
inflicted upon LACRoIx is scarcely announced
before the liberty Of speech finds powerful
advocate in a high place.
1t is impossible to read the striking speech
delivered in the French Corps Legislatif, on the
26th February, by NJ. THEIRS, without admira-
ton for its holiness, and a feeling of amaze
ment that such Independent utterances are al
lowed in the high places OF the Government,
when less offensive demonstrations among pri-
vate men arc punished with severe chastiSe-
ment. We present some extracts from this re-
markable speech. Said NJ. THIEEs;
Happy the nations whose institutions are settled
by law and custom, and which are not reduced, as
we are 10 discuss the sort of questions which, for
the last three quarters of century, agitate and
cause irritation. Unfortunately we have not yet go;
10 the level Of these favored nations. Our inStu-
lions are vet awaiting development the character
or the time for which IS not yet fixed. We have
lived since 1882 under the promise that the arbitrary
powers assumed by the Emperor would be only tenn
Dorary. Temporary, not OF course as regards the
august persOnages whO-wields them. but regards
their duration. IL has always been understood that
the Constitution could be modified by the Emperor
and the Senate. The memorable declaration oil
January Il 1852 that liberty was 70 crown the edi-
nee and the great decree OF November "a, which
revived political discussion, encouraged the nation
10 believe that institutions which the civilized world
believes alone capable OF assuring liberty and secu-
rty and which France was the inst 10 give 10 the
world and Is therefore naturally impatient 10 see
restonsd TO herself would not long be withheld
Until lattery the re-estaollshment OF this liberty
seemed 10 be only question OF time, but now II APP
naars to he made one of principle. Last year and
ih year the speech from the throne represented lib
eral inst tutions as likely to weaken power 10 ham.
per its initiative and 10 replace II under the yoke Oi
assemblies IL has been SAID IN terms, why seek TO
/ revise to-day what was rejected yesterday The
Senate has enlarged upon tins theme ana the I'm
peror has repl ed 70 Senate shall the corps Legs
am not speak its mndl l am OF opinion that II
miSat calmly frankly and respectfully set forth the
france Is IL necessary for this purpose 10
go oaeA 70 those rights which the French revolution
! described imperceptible and IN those rights
/ which existed before Constitutions and which, II
nee essay VIII exist in spite of theml Cheers. =
| No. IL Is enough Tor our purpose 10 stand by tie
| written rights OF France which we have to.day.-
| They sqt1ce 70 establish these MONT, Tn rrasan nj
Constitution establishes two rigbtstbat 81 The DIV.
| nasty and that Of the nation. The J1.s,;s h.
yOnd discussion, and nobody thinks ~ ",ay,ioD-
t. (Cheers-) Our only object is the ra1sStabI;sb'
ment Of liberty in France, and we know ne, So
new revolution would be an adjournment of IiSar,:
(Cheers.) The right Of the dynasty being frorni
admitted il would seem that there ought To ba y
return no difficulty in admitting the right of Franc
that right which was proclaimed and guaranteed
by the Constitution of 1852, and which is based
upon the great principles Of l7S9.'
Again, says NJ. THEIRS:
Forms Of government frequently change, bu
one thing remains, and will remain eternally-pub
Lc oplnlon That public opinion is at the bottom o
all the acts of power and for that purpose puOlit
opinion must have opportunities OF formation anC
propa cation. Hence what call necessary liberties
The first OF these is individual liberty, which guar
antees to every citizen his personal freedom, secures
him from every arbitrary act, and gives him RICH