The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-28
LIBERTY OF THE PRESS IN FRANCE

LIBERTY OF TaE PRESS IN f1ANch'
We published few days ago q translation of the
article by M..EHuE DE G1RARDIr, reviewing the
policy of the Emperor's government, since the
coup dpetat which led to his prosecution 1t scem
his article was entitled 'sDes Destinees Nouoe0es,
ana was altered by the government organs to
ssDes Destinees McMeures." The trial took place
on the 7th inst, and III. de GIRARDIN was con-
demned to pay fine Of 5000 francs, without im-
prisonment. /. .-5.s.-e::. - ~;
Up to the time Of the judgl4 ent being given, his
paper, the Lberte continued TO comment freely on
political AFFAIRS but on the 9th it appeared without
it's usual editorials and in thoir place, and filling
four columns, was o critique OF new MEDIEVAL
comedy, entitled Calico. The Iberte refused
even to publish the report Of the Judgment until
it could take it from an official source In reply to
questions ut the trial, Girardin said he WAS 81
Years Of age. The President said You are ac.
cused of having excited to hatred and contempt OF
the Emperor's Government in an article OF the "a
Lberte: Do you admit being the author s;a Of the ne
was in the gallery when NJ. Rouher delivered the
speech which provoked it, and which ae answered
in his journal on the spur OF the moment. Had ne
not heard it with his own ears it was possible 1t
would have been less vehement. Grardin made
good, spicy speech winch was received WIN 'ausn-
ter and applause.
It is very curious fact that the law under which
he is prosecuted is not one Of the Emperors max
ing. but one passed by the Republic OF 1888, when
Cavaignac was President.
That law, however, expressly reserved the rlght
of journalists to discuss and blame both the acts
Of The executive power and ministers, and 30 long
as trial by ury lasted it could only be in some very
exceptional case indeed that the statute could be
acted Upon, because it is hard to see how, when
the right Of discussion and censure was allowed 70
the fullest extent, the provso would not cover the
worst accusation that could be made CT excltlng 70
hatred and contempt. AS matter OF fact there
never was any prosecution upon the statute under
the Government Of the Republic. And IN 1915
Girardin then q member of the legislative Assem-
bly, proposed bill, which was not passed, recon-,
mending the repeal Of the statute on the GROUND
| that nothing SO tended to bring all law into con-
tempt as retaining on the statute book menacme
laws which we're imperative.
! The Paris correspondent Of the New York Heraso
says:
believe all would have been forgiven tc
| Girardin had he not referred to the Emperor's
breach Of his oath. That is sore subject which
BY necessary common consent or inc FrenSl 81
press, has never hitherto been touched upon. NJ NJ
! journal published in France since Decemper =
1851, has ever before ventured to mention the un
breach of his oath. No official wliter has evor OF
fered the semblance Of defence or apology m lo'
that perjury. But Emile de Girardin, the lntlmats
friend OF the Emperor's cousins, Prince NaPoleol
| and the Princess Mathllde, the TequenG EueS' "
the Emperor himself at the Tuileries, Complcgnc
Biarritz ard elsewhere, thought the time rlle 1o'
printing in Paris that the Emperor had torn u!
! the Constitution which he had sworn to dcfena.
It is the utterance Of this truth which brouShG nll
to the bar of the correctional tribunal on Mednes
i day last.
Tho prosecution was ordered by the Emperor
personally, in fit Of rage. It is said his ministers
attempted to represent that perhaps at the pre-
sent moment, when large promises CT greater hbof
ty had been made, and o new press law Is on th
stocks, it might be better policy to wink at tins
offence; but the Emperor peremptorily told then
to go on The French law forbids any report OF hbe
cases, and the papers print nothing but the Judg
ment of the court The judges, it is said, Walte'
for tho Emperor's orders to know what sentenc
they should infict GIRARDN is rich, and 5o0
francs is nothing to him. Far from beinG molllhe'
by this light sentence, he Immediately declared
war upon the Empire; has given notice to Pr1nc
NAPOLEON and Princess MATH1LDE that he can NJ
longer visit them; and says he will appeal and &C
the most eminent counsel in France to plead hi
cause. He is man of wonderful audaclty; fcr III
Appeal Court may, and unless dcbarred by tn
Emperor will sentence him to long term OF I'm
prisonment. He must think the empire IN STAT
of decadence when he dares to beard it IN this way