The New York herald., 1868-06-04
FRANCE.

Freedom Of Opinion In Matters OF Conscience.
The French Senate held sitting May 2l, M. TrOp-
The discussion on certain petitions against
mat erialist doctrines being introduced in pubc lec
tures and particularly at the School Of Medicine was
resumed.
Cardinal DoNNET, Archbishop Of Bordeaux, ex-
patiated the danger of permitting such teaching
as it could only the effect of promoting indel
ity among the rising generation.
M QuENTIN-BAUGaART, , observed that nat al the hon,
scarcely spoken q word OF the petitions and their
prayer they had confined themselves to generaties
all excellent In their way, but applicable to many
other well as the present. He maintained
that the petitions were uncaed for, since every one
in France might declare himself to be materialist,
atheist positivist or any other unrecOgnized ex-
preston OF belief provided public and illegal pro-
vocation was atIhe same time made Tne honorable
Senator denied the eXactude Of the statements made
in the petitions, many being gross exaggeratiOns;
but however that might be- no necessity existed for
any interference on the part OF government and
he therefore would support the conclusions arrived
at by the committee for the adoption of the order Of
the day.
Cardinal de Bonnechose, Archbishop Of Roaen,
afterwards addressed the Chamber at great length
on the prGprey Gl nm cnss doctrines d IN
posed to send the question to the government for
consideration
The Free Trade Debate-Speech Of the Min.
lister Of State.
In the session Of the legislative body, May 21 the
debate the commercial treaty with England re-
newal was resumed. NJ ROuher, Minister OF state
in an able reply to the opposition, said-Take our
commerce in general compared with that Of Eng
land. The latter sends into the European markets
sends twenty-three hundred millions. In the East,
indeed, are shut out by the protective system, and
England Is our transport agent NJ. +. Olivier said
two days back, Why not export to the two hundred
millions OF customers which England has The
our products are on footing of perfect
equality in the English colonies with those Of
there If You had the energy and the will IAppiause
Timorous counsels which enervate the heart and
the mind ought to be cast aside. No doubt our
manufacturing industry suffers under crisis but
the same distress prevails everywhere, and 1t has
arisen from special causes, chiefly the civl war in
America. which disturbed all European industry.
But prosperity now again appears TO be returning,
and during the course OF this debate the manu-
facturers have seen reason to resume feeling OF
confidence Now, what are we asked to dor TO re-
nounce the treaty. Well j answer frankly. no.
tHear, hear, and "bravos ~ repeated from a great
many benches) We shall discuss it il you wish, but
TO surrender IL we shall not submit. Fresh appro-
bation.) We shall proceed moderately and pru-
take no step without being previously fully en-
ightened respecting Its bearings the interests Of
France. Applause.) No doubt for the Chief Of the
state to make a treaty OF commerce implies the ex.
ercise OF an exceptional power. Warm appr0ba-
tion II IL constitutional one, which all respect,
but our tendency IL to have recourse in questions
OF tarifYs and customs to the legislature Loud
applause) But We must march forward In the
path OF progress: We cannot without danger lag
behind; and these discussions we are now engaged
in will be forgotten by our grandchildren super
Of free commerce (liear, hear) There will remain
only the greatness OF the country in the midst of
that universal liberty OF intercourse which will reign
over the relations OF every people, (Accamations--
The Minister Of state on resuming his seat, re.
ceived the congratulations OF his colleagues and OF
great number Of deputies.
SEVERAL voIcEs-The close the close
NJ. JULES SIMON shall leave statistics aside and
speak only Of principles. For my friend and myself
we approve this treaty because IL Is step towards
liberty OF commerce. and we believe that all liberties
are connected. (Approbation.l We have been told
that branches Of manufacture suffering. pre-
sumo that they are, without admitting IL: bu how
can any revolution be made and no indivi-
dual sacrifices be invovcdY I give
my entire adhesion To the principles OF liberty
in manufacture and trade Hear, hear) That
| Is my first declaration. My second is that
want political liberty, which Is the indispensable
| complement Of that of commerce. Various move
| raents.l without II we have to compete with the
English who possess It, and that is the cause OF
inferiority tAdhesion from several benchcs) When
French industry was deprived OF protection, peace
| ought to have been guaranteed to it; and here I
must repeat the complaint, which has never been
piled to- that the nation was never consulted In this
matter In the persons of its legal representatives in
| this Chamber-(approbatiOn from the same quar-
| tcr)-as other nations are in such questions
| Here is our inferiority openly proclaimed in a
solemn instrument-the sovereign stipulates in
| his name for the country without mentioning the
consent OF France. and the Queen OF England under
takes after receiving the assent OF the Parliament
| &C. fNoisc demand that such humiliation may
in future be spared us. In order to guard our right
erty, we cannot accept the order OF the day:
not surrender our prlmordal prerogative of voting
the taxes loud applause from the opposition. and
cries of "Close, clOsep'l
After some discussion respecting the constitutional
| right of the Emperor to conclude treaties OF COM
merce the discussion OF the interpretations was de-
cared 10 he closed and the order OF the day pure and
| simple wss pronounced by great majority.