The New York herald., 1870-03-23
Tho Trial ss Prince Pierre Bonapurte.

The public excitement occasoned by the
shooting of Victor Noir by Prince Pierre Bo-
naparte, the cousin of the present Emperor OF
the French, temporarily suspended, has again
burst forth, and to-day it is greater than ever.
As we stated two days ago, the trial Of the
Prince is the sensation Of the hour.
Now that the trial has actually commenced
we see that France all over has fixed its
eyes on the town Of Tours; that mems minds
are agitated, and that even the Emperor him
self is deeply solictons as to the general effect.
A cable despatch which we publish this morn
ing shows that Napoleon has not forgotten his
ancient cunning, for he has skilfully chosen the
present moment Of excitement to give addi-
tional emphasis to his reform movement and
additional proof of his honesty Of purpose in
the premises.
The news Of yesterday enabled us to enter
fully into the spirit and to witness the scenes
ofthe opening day. For some days Tours had
been receiving large additions to its inhabi-
tants from all the large centres of population.
The court room was crowded. Conspicu-
Ouo "hVhS ShO SiVW0 WOiO WV AAOsuSA
and brother of the murdered man. The swear
ing in OF the jurors, the reading of the act OF
accusation, the address Of the President of the
Court to the jury seem to have been gone
through with in circumstances of more than
usual solemnity. Very considerable excite
ment seems to have prevailed during the ex-
animation Of the witnesses. NJ Uric de Fon-
vielle, who, it will be remembered, was with
Victor Noir when he was shot, and who had
himself to fee from the presence Of the wrath
full Prince, narrowly escaping with his own
life, was the third witness. As there is every
reason to believe he was the only one who saw
the deed committed it was most natural that
his testimony should be regarded by the Court
as all important. NJ. Paschal Grousset was
the next witness examined. 1t will be remem-
bered by our readers that Grousset was the
man who accepted the responsibility Of the
WorseilL0sse, and who sent De Fonvielle and
Victor Noir to see and arrange with the Prince
in his name. Groussets conduct seems to have
been outrageous-so outrageous, indeed, that
he had to be removed from the court and sent
to prison for contempt.
The public interest in the progress of the
proceedings remained unabated yesterday.
Some slight changes were made in the arrange
ment of the court room. The accommodation
for the public was very limited, however. N.
Milierc was examined for tho prosecution.
He was Incorporate in his expression and was
reprimanded by the Judge. The Prince
prisoner became excited also. and as
serted, with some vehemence, that Milliere
and Groussct had sworn TO shoot him.
This was positively denied by the wit
ness. The audience here inclined against
the prisoner, and symptoms Of a s'hiss" were
evident for moment. The defence was
opened. The Princes lawyers rendered the
evidence Of some of his servants and personal
friends, but the impression made was not
favorable, as it appears to us, to an acquttal.
M. Paul de Cassagnac insuitcd the prosecut-
ing counsel. M. Larocca was too warm in
his friendly delivery. He was called to
question" by the Judge. Witnesses for
the defence swore that they saw . coatasion
on the check Of the Prince after the blow.
They were laymen. The doctor who was
called in Immediately after the delivery Of the
buffet "saw no signs of confusion" The
prosecution and defence got slightly muddlcd.
There was assertion, contradiction and general
excitement. The defence adhered to the theory
Of q pre-existent plot against the life of the
Prince. M. Rochefort will, it is thought, be
placed on the stand and testify to-day.
1t is not unnatural that this trial should
command so much interest. II is but rare
that princes are put on their trial for such
offences. 1t is not the first time that princes
have taken away life in circumstances much
more cold bl0oded and brutal than those in
which Prince Pierre made use of his revolver.
law. They were a law unto themselves; and
whatever law there was, beyond their own
individual wills, existed chiefly for their
especial benefit. The execution Of the English
Charles and Of the French Louis, terrific as
was the effect and awful as was the warning,
did not rob princes of all their immunities.
But we have been marching on apacc. The
new agents Of civilization have done more in
the last thirty years to destroy the last vcstige
Of divine right than did the Roundheads OF
England and the Jacobins Of France There
is no longer any mystery attached to courts
and cabinets. The throne is no longer the
centre of a sacred circle within which the vul-
garity Of law may not show its face. Public
opinion, created and sustained by the press,
has made the highest and the lowest amenable
to law. This trial is an illustration of nine
teenth century progress.
AS to the result OF the trial we have no
doubt. it will be impossible to convict the
Prince. The trial will, however. be fair and,
to all outward seeming at least, rigidly impair
tial. The s'irrcconcileables" Of course will
grumble, but France will he satisfied It will
be a niue days wonder, and then, like so many