The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-20

PIERRE ANTOINE BERRYER.-A cable tel
egram announces the death in Paris, on the
2Sth ult., of Pierre Antoine Berger, the cell
ebrated French advocate and legitimist. The
distinguished deceased was born in Paris on
the 4th of January, $780, and was educated at
the Jesuit College of Jcuilly, where he imbibed
those religious Convictions which SO strongly
marked his subsequent career. At one time
he desired to enter a monastery, but by the
advice of his father, himself an eminent ad-
vocate, adopted the legal profession. In 1914
he began practice and soon rose to prominence
being an assistant of his father and NJ. Dupin
in their defence of Marshel New He was also
the sole defender of Cambronne and Debelle
Tor the first of whom he succeededin obtaining
q verdict of acquittal and n pardon for the lat
ter, who was convicted and sentenced to death.
In 1880 NJ. Berger was elected deputy for
the Department of Haute Loire, and took an
active part in the debates of the Legislative
Assembly. After the revolution and flight of
Charles X, he retained his seat supporting
the most liberal measures, although urged by
his party to Withdraw After the downfall of
Louis Philippe the deceased opposed the
tablishment of n republic, he beng royalist
of the most decided type. He nevertheless
opposed Louis Napole6n's coup Tetat and CON
tlnued the bitter enemy of the empire
after. AS an advocate he had no superior and
but few equals in France. He defended some
of the most prominent men of the times, among
whom were NJ. Lammenais in 1926, Chateau
BRAND in 1881, and Louis Napoleon in 1910.
q His orations in defence of these three person.
ages have become celebrated, breathing, as they
do, the phrest patriotism and love of liberty,
the Bourbon dynasty. AS oratorical efforts
they are said to be unequaled in French law
cases. In 1855 NJ. Berrycr was elected a men,
Der of the French Academy, and in consequence
'of his inaugural speech containing some al
!usions considered dsrespect full to the empire
Its suppression was ordered, but the interdict
was removed within twenty-four hours. Not
understanding his intense animosity to Louis
Napoleon. the Emperor appears fosfy.ave had
very high appreciation of his talents and char
acter. Rather than embarrass him by an in
terview, Napoleon excused him from the usual
custom of presenting himself at the Tuileries
on account of his election In the great French
case OF Patterson VS.. Bonaparte, in 1861 NJ.
Berger was the advocate of Mrs. Patterson
who, 1t will be remembered, brought suit to
prove the validity of her marriage with the
Emperors uncle, Jerome The suit of course
was not gained, but the manner in which it
was prosecuted added considerably to the
reputation of the advocate. We should not
omit stating that the deceased also defended
Count de Montalembert in 1853 and won his
highest honors as an advocate and orator in
this case. In 1868 he became a candidate for
the Corps Legislatif, and was elected. As o
member he was, with III. Theirs, the greatest
opponent of the imperial government. Many
Peror are masterpieces of eloquence. A legit-
imatist of the strictest type he regarded Louis
Napoleon as usurper and scarcely concealed
this belief.