New-York tribune., 1867-03-21
LIBERTY or TIE PRESS ~ FRANCE.


What the liberty of the press means in
France under the concessions lately made
by the Emperor may be seen in the prosccu-
ton of NJ Emile Girariin. one Of the editors
Of the Libcric The case is highly interest
ing ono. whether we regard the position held
by the offending party and the nature of his
alleged offcnsc, or the fact that this il the
fiist prosecution under the new system for the
regulation OF the press, whereby. instead of the
summary method OF Government warning.
tIansgrcssors Rrc 10 bc cited before the Cor
rcctional Tribunals. NJ. Girardin. it is well
known i. ono of the most eminent Of the many
distinguished journalists Of whom France can
boast, and has rendered good service with both
tongue and pen 10 the cause of liberty during
n political life that has now extended over more
than quarter of a century. He possesses
a considerable fortune, is held in high esteem
for his talents and virtues, numbers among his
friends many Of the leading members of tho
Opposition in the French Chamber and il
represented as being at present on terms of
confidential intimacy with the Empcrors cousin,
Prince Napoleon. Such is the man whom the
Government has selected for its first attack
under the new law, his oflense being that he
has dared to arraign the recent policy of the
Emperor, to condemn that policy in strong
language, and to give it as his deliberate
opinion that the Empire is tottering to its fall
He considers that the gnominous failure of
the Mexico expedition, and the "PrusSian mis-
"take' of last year, have shaken the Emperors
prestige to its foundations, and that the Impe-
rial measure for the reorganization of
the French army will naturally lead
TO IN alliance between Prussia and
Russia, from which no good will come to
France He believes that France has lost in
fluence abroad through the blunders of the
Government, and he charges that the virtue of
decision which was manifestly wanting i'll 1866
with regard to foreign affairs, is equally want
ing in 1867 in the direction of home politics.
1t was for writing these things in the LiLert6
that judicial prosecution was instituted
against Girardin, who was charged with inct-
ing to hatred and contempt against Govern
mcnt. Wednesday, the 9th inst, was fixed for
his appearance before the court, and all we know
as yet of the trial is what the Cable has brought
us, viz: that he was convicted Of violation of
the law of the press, and fined 5000 francs,
and that he has appealed from the decision
of the court. We are curious to see the
details of the trial. which was the great
topic of the day in Paris when the last
Transatlantic mail left Liverpool for America,
although We have in our mail advices an init
nation of the course Girardin intended to pur-
sue when brought before the tribunal. When
summoned, hc says, twenty years ago, to APP
pear in like manner before the Chamber OF
Peers he went unassisted by counsel and con-
fined his defonsc to n few words, OF which the
following were the last 81 have faith III the
"truth, although it may for n season be called
"error or calumny. Every rcpressed truth Is q
gathering force which awaits sure dav ot