New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-03
CHARLES HUGO,

According TO the cable kilograms OF yes
terday from Paris, Charles Hugo, editor OF
the Rappei, has been sentenced to SIX
months Imprisonment and three thousand
francs fine, and its managing editor to
three months imprisonment and hue oil
two thousand francs.
This petty persecution aggravates the
evil which it is intended to arrest. Ihe
cheap martyrdom involved IN few
months comfortable incarceration and
small outlay in money, offers temptation
which the French mind is unable to resist
Who would not be a martyr on such terms
Naturally, the French journalist painting
for glory, rushes for the crown OF PALM
and the government, with the NATIVITY OF
child. places it on the aspiring victims
head by going through the form of punish
ment. He is put to the inconvenience OF
changing his lodgings and restaurant; Is
obliged to forego the pleasures OF the
theatre and the boulevard, and that Is
| about the extent OF the governmental
wrath. for which he finds ample compen-
| sa,ion in the numerous works OF sympathy
and admiration which come up to him from
the Latin quarter and the Faubourg Saint
Antoine, and the enjoyment OF the society
of acknowledgements, in whose midst ne
lives while in prison.
This running fight between the news
paper men and the empire is curious
spectacle, which furnishes food for specu-
lation. If the present policy is continued
it is only question of time for the over
throw of the empire. Journalism Is a con-
tinually increasing power, under the OH
cial attack, gaining rapidly in adherents'
and the government, under what Is consld-
cred i,s abuse of power, is growing unpop-
uIar.
The thrusts do not come alone from the
enemies of the emperor, but from his
friends. He is unfortunate in the choice
of his journalistic advocates, the most
prominent of whom is DeCassagnac, a
man of tempestuous temper and insufera-
bic arrogance. Such men injure the cause
they attempt to defend. Besides, the
fealty of some Of these mamelukes Of the
EN- pire, report whispers, does not come Of
Ioyal devotion, but venai reward, whilst
!; the sincerity of their adve-saries IS beyond
question.
One would have supposed, after the eS'
pertinent with Rochefort, that the govern
ment would show more wisdom IN 1t:
! treatment of journalists; but its policy IL
this respect remains unchanged, to th'
sunrise of its friends as well as its enc
mics. The lessons of experience sxe no
f sufficient to force the empire out OF tn
, routine groove, and it may go on in Thu
r way until change will no longer be mat
| ter of choice.
As recent eve nts show, the Emperor i
DESTROYS of forming constitutional gov
, eminent. butshe can not have this with
r out its logical compliments ire
: press: He is afraid to remove al
restrictions, yet if this were done
: in sthe end it would doubtless be th
g wisest course. On the heels Of such new
: found liberty there would be gross vituT
It Grafton perhaps, which, through the shoe
y to public opinion, would gradually ton
: down into decency and respect for orde
e In any event, it is worth while trying. l
= case of failure the Emperor can resort i
70 original argument-guns.