The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-28
The Situation in France.

There is crisis once more in Paris. From
the July revolution in 1880, to the downfall
of Louis Philippe in February, 1918, there
was period OF eighteen years; and from the
coup detit in 1852, the resumption OF
stable government, to this present year OF
grace, we again have eighteen years-an
ominous number, it would seem. True, the
cry of swolf wolf," has resounded so often
within earshot OF st. Cloud, that the great
world without has become somewhat skepti-
cal in regard to French crises. However,
bearing all this in mind, and having lively
recollection OF the long series OF alarms
| knaeuteS, threats and sensations OF every de-
scription, OF which Paris has been the thea
tire within the past twenty-five years. we
nevertheless cannot but believe that the sit
uation is at this time in reality very critical,s
and that catastrophe is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
successful revolution, or another coup
Getit, scarcely less damaging to the gov
ernment-we cannot undertake to say.
The policy of the administration appears
singularly short-sighted. While it was OF
the last Importance to satisfy the people,
that hereafter there should be impartial JUS
tice and that il member of the Imperial
family should violate The laws his high rank
will not shield him from the consequences OF
his transgrcssion, the government pursued
the opposite course; and in order to make it
appear that the Prince only acted in self
defence. they have thrown the burden OF the
guilt upon Rochciort, because, both in the
Chamber and in his writings, lie has shown
himself tile most uncompromisiay enemy OF
the Empire and of the ruling dynasty. Now,
if Rochefort transcands the limits OF the law
he puts himself within the power OF the gov
ernment, and he is subject to the penalties
in such case provided.
But this was found insufficient. He must
be put hoys de combat He is 4 member OF
the Corps Lesslatif, and therefore enjoys
the immunity of Il deputy; and it was the
attempt upon his Legislative character, few
days ago that produced such popular tu-
mutt in Paris The Chamber, as is well
known, is largely suhservient to the govern
ment, and this arraignment of Rochefort,
both for his impertinencc toward the Empe-
ror and for his political principles, which
he has taken pains to publish in every pos
sible form, was intended either to result in
his imprisonment for term of years, or in
inducing him to fly the country. This resort
to measures outside the law Enthusiastically
shows thai The government feels itself weak,
and feels, moreover, that it can no longer
trust public opinion
Now, if this adversary, so much dreaded,
were really man OF great Importance, there
might be 4 little more excuse for such meas
ures. But the only Importance he has ac-
ouired lies in the situation, and that again
is due to the mistakes of the government.
Rochefort has never shown any decided tai
ent. All that he has ever done is, that with
little wit, but great deal Of assurance, he
has uniformly blown a revolutionary blast.
| If he had only been let alone his part would
have long since been played out; even the
Partisan public would soon have wearied
reading his TRADES. But the government
considered those malicious, spileful jeur
desprits dangerous and prosecuted him,
and these prosecutions had the result usual
in such cases, and made him the leader OF
the masses who desire arevolution, change
of some kind.
1t is hard to believe that NJ OLIVIER bat
short time ago himselfa Democrat, and one Of
the leaders Of the Opposition in the Chamber,
could have asked for the judicial arraignment
ofRochefort without serious misgivings, as he
must know very well that the Empire can
not by any possibility, gain anything by in
dieting its adversaries before police court.
But NJ. Olivier has placed himself in false
position from the beginning All he seems
to have cared for is that he himself should
have the direction OF affairs, clearly con-
founding his own attainment to office with
the restoration cf constitutional liberty, for