The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-04
,KAPoLEON'S AMNESTY.
what tho F rench People Think OF it

80 O. -
what the F rench People Think OF 1T
The recent amnesty for political offences as
nroclaimed by Napoleon forms topic OF uni
yerssl comment in the Paris journals Of the
19sh OF August. We publish the most forcible
points made by the writer's:
The Cons itutionel remarks: "The Empe.
ror was ;ell inspired in giving to that great
act all the extent which the most exactlnR
could desire. Not o SINGLE exception. not o. {
reser!e, even for political crimes. This 10, 10
truth, the manner in which ought TO act gov
arpment strong enough to fear nothing 1rom
;ts sdyersaries and which has just revived lts
popularity by new accord with the country:
The fact will be remarked that the decree OF
amnesty, as far as it applies to press and poll
deal Offences, ls countersigned by all the MN
isteas. That circumstance proves that lt was
deIiberated in Council. It may, therefore, be
conaidered as a manifestation of the line OF con-
duct the Ministry Of the 18th July intends to
ijrIrsrie. This act OF grace is the complement
and TIE best commentary on the imperial
message and the Sendttis Consulunts II ls
pledge. that liberal laws will be hneraiy ap.
,ried. We must add that the independent
Journals will feel themselves much m IRE Tree
fhah tormerly to combat the injustics OF the
opposition" ei.,
The Debats SAYS: "This amnesty IS not par
tial, but full and entire; it ex'ends TO al crimes
/, or political offences committed up to tins day
by the press or. IN any other way. BY tho
terms of the decree, the Chief Of the State has
determined on consecrating, by this measure
the hundredth anniversary Of the first En-
perofis birth; but we may be permitted TO see
IN the centenary only an opportunity, and to
think that the amnesty was above all inspired
bT ! desire to give satisfaction to public opin:
. ion, which did not regard without a painful
feeling the numerous prosecutions instituted
aesinst the press" -
The Iaberte prince Napoleons organ} ex-
presses itself in these terms: Decidedly this
without reserve, for It has always been our own.
This measure, which honors the minister OF
The 17tIi July, changes the distrust We enter
tained- INTO confidence. The amnesty OF the
T2thsof HuRuet, 1859, TO- which they have col
lsctiyeIy and individually attached their names
ia solemnIy and unanimously countersigninng
il thus inprinting on il the character OF .
Common work sdehberated in council. has not
rsrneinedlwhich would have been fault-be-
i6F that Of the 18th Of August, 1859. OF which
tits the worthy pendant. II is unconditional,
without exceptions. without restrictions, and
fKat circumstance it is which constitutes it
ganld act .:
= "A France says '.It is neither partial nor
rsettictiye; the heart and the mind OF the SOW
eteign have, without any exception. cast q veil
classification and ohlivloa over all the facts
z iseted with the electoral crisis and the late
agititions. Thstact I, at the same ame po.u
and saeGcious; it reveals the outbnrst OF o gen.
erous heart and the inspiration OF liberal
policy; there will be but one voice IN the coun-
try and in Europe, 10 prociaira that truth.
The Temps remarks: 1T is 3 measure OF
which we shall not have the bad taste to depre-
cate the merit under the pretoxt that It was
imposed by necessity. The judicious chsrac-
tefsof the act ia clearly incontestIble. The EN-
Derur may have yielded to personal sentiments,
which do hun honor, but he has at the Same
time obeyed the demands OF the situation. A
change 30 great as tSat to which our institu-
tions are about TO be subj ected, could not but
be accompanied by the remission OF penalties
incurred under another regime. and under
otkerconditions OF public liberty"
The Presse expresses itself IN these terms:
ssThe amnesty is as comprehensive as could
be. desired. This act, which is one Of good
policy, was the most worthy means OF ce!eorat-
ing the centenary OF the founder OF the dynas-
ty. BY this measure, which cannot be too
highly praised, the government is not only
honored in the eyes Of all men OF fgenerous
minds, but 1t gives greater proof OF its
strength than all restrictive laws. which may
sometmes he necessary, but which are always
to be regretted, because they prove the ex's-
tence of those dissensions to appease which Is
q matter Of interest and OF hohor to the goy-
eminent"
The Journal de Paris says: "The amnesty
is an entirely spontaneous act OF the sovereign
power. Public opinion did not de: nd it. and
consequently the DEGREES now published Will
only produce more favorable impression IN
the country"
The Gazette de France uses straightforward
language, thus: 1.-The Emperor has accorded
q full and entire amnesty for all condemna-S
tions pronounced for crimes and offences IN
m alters poll ical or connected with the press
nuh1in Ynaati.n nq
alitiops. This 10 an act Of good and great pol
icy.s II The Emperor, st will be sajd, had not
pfoscribed large number OF citizens be would
not have had to recall them to their county;
that # so many judgments bad not been given
against political men, no occasion would nave
exissed for opening their prison doors. The
situation must be taken such as it ls, aud an
opinion formed on the facts themselves"
rhe Oprnlon Nationaie affects to believe that
the Emperor was ina manner logically forced
to the course which he has adopted. "Thls
act saws the writer, sis the necessary oonse-
quepce Of the change OF system which Is now
being effected in our institutions. There
would have been total want OF logic in pros
ecutpg judicialy writer's in the press or speak
ers at public meetings for attacks on the per-
sonal government, Just at the moment when
those Structures were 10 some SORT justified by
universal suffrage, condemning chat regime and
resolving to enter upon new course.
nounces that it must still coutinue it's warfare
on personal government. Its language ruus
thus: .'The decree OF amnesty was necessary
in the present political situation; it was expect
ed by public opinion, and will be received with
satisfaction. May we, however, be permitted
to say our criticisms on the institutions by
which We are governed, and on the men who
rule us, are not touched by the present act.
So long as the personal power shall maintain
it's hold on society. and the nation shall not
have restored to 1t ,ts liberties and its rights,
our duty is to oppose. The amnesty is an ac-
cideat in the war which we are carrying Oh"
The Avenir National is the most 'irreconci-
liable" OF all the Paris press, 1t says: ANY
nsorstu proprio, whatever 1t may be. always es-
capes research. The real causes can never be
determined. for they are as variable as all the
fluctuations of individual thought; We must
content ourselves with accepting effects.
Clemeccy and charity are recommeDdabe vlr-
tues. but which, having nothing to do with
law and justice, remain in the condition OF
pure accidents. with which Dem )cracy, anx-
lous b3Fore everything tor rights and guaran-
Lees independent OF all personal will, bas not
TO preoccIpy ITSELF"
6OUTV O4ROJTNI