The Shasta courier., 1868-10-31
COURIER.
The Boy Cavaignac--Young France Erect.

An incident has Just occurred in France,
which has caused an unusual commotion.-
The annual prizes of the Colleges and Ly-
cenms of the University were being conferred.
NJ. Duruy, the Minister of Education, pre-
sided and the Prince Imperial, hopeful
child of twelve years, stood by to assist in
the distribution eff prizes, and confer them
with his own hand. Young Cavaignac, (the
son of General Cavaignac, who at the time
of the coup d'etdt of December, 1851 was ar
rested by Louis Napoleon, and imprisoned
in the Castle of Ham, and who died some
years ago. had the first prize for Greek COM
position. The calling of his name was greet
ed with great enthusiasm What followed is
briefly told as follows:
Young Cavaignac was called upon by the
Minister to receive the crown which he held
in his hand. The youth who is | believe.
fifteen years old, did not move from his place
A professor of his college. thinking he did
not hear the summons, made signs to him to
come forward. He hesitated for some time,
then rose from his place and made movr-
ment as if to answer the appeal but at that
moment lady, understood to be his mother,
Madame Cavaignac, half rose from her seat,
and made sign with her arm, forbidding
lowed, in the midst of which the Young man.
who appeared much moved, and did not seem
to know what he had best do, resumed his
seat. The Minister remained standing for
some minutes, waiting for him but as no
body came forward to receive the prize as
well as the congratulations of the Prince
Imperial. requested that the pupil Cavaig-
nae being absent" the next przeman should
be called up.
The spectators were greatly interested in
this incident, and the college youths were
uproarous in their applause. One of them,
Genet by name who appIauded loudly, was
expelled from the college.
When General Cavaignac was arrested he
was engaged to marry Mdlle. Oder, bank
er's daughter. Efforts were made to break
off the match but in vain. and he was fol-
lowed to Ham hy his bctrothed, whose face
was the first friendly one that he saw in his
imprisonment. A few days after. he was re-
leased when he married Mdle Oder This
is the lady, his widow. who instgated his son
to show his recusancy in the marked manner
described above.
The incident has greatly moved the French
press and people. The Presse Twill not at
tempt to depict the emotions, with which
young Cavaig gnac, at the bidding of his moth
er resumed his seat 1.-The pride of the soul
defies analysis and discussion. and when this
pride is associated with the memory of man
who was great citizen, it is entitled to the
most profound respect" SIT was a great
fault says the Journal de Paris. d" to have
placed the sons of Napoleon and oc Cavaignac
face to face exposed 10 the plaudits of youth
who ever guard the souvenirs of great men"
" If General Cavaignac was grand citizen.
and a defender of order, why did you seize
him in the night and send him to Mazas in
the common prisoners van ?'' asked the
Avenir National.
Here is new cnfdnt terrible, whose proper
punishment is perplexity to the powers that
he. 1t will not do to imprison him. and
fine would only deprive him of pocket money.
The government has been able to suppress
the opposition of men, but what can it do to
a school boy? The London Star says: Z" The
worst of it is the. severity of any punishment
that can be inflicted on .he young collcgian
must necessarily be in inverse proportion to
the magnitude of the affront he has put up
on the imperial patron of learning"
Frenchmen are sure to attach immense i'm
portance to an act that seems to spring from
an almost instructive repugnance. and those
of them who do not like the Empire will
have no difficulty in seeing in this solitary
recusant of imperial favOrs the representa-
tive of young France-the France of the fu.
ture.