St. Landry democrat., 1885-05-02
POLITICAL TRIALS.
4ow They Originate and Are Conducted
In France,


In France,
Not the least interesting are the polit-
ical trials; these are constantly oc-
curing, owing to the 1nvincible pug
nacity of French journalists and the
fondness which French editors have for
martyrdom, though it be but on small
scale. Although the trials for political
ofenses seldom miscarry, and although
what fatally hurts your ordinary
drama-this denoument is clearly fore
seen at the outset, the scenes in court
are rendered piquant by the accused
themselves, who, knowing there is no
hope for them, give full rein to their
wit and satire, in spite of Judge or min
lister. The mode of propagating ideas
hostile to the republic is formidable
one. A provincial editor writes slash
ing article, saying that 'Formosa was
won by the French in spite of bad gen
eralship,' or that ''the republic is being
assassinated by the men in power" He
is forthwith indicted by the procureur du
peuple for exciting to hatred and con-
tempt of the Government" The editor
expects this. and is rejoiced to receive
the summons to appear in court He
forthwith sends to M. Jullier. an elo-
quent pleader, and announces in his
columns that the great liberal advocate
is to defend him. When the day comes
great crowds of people surround the
Courthouse, and there is no preventing
them from pushing through the corri-
dors and filing the courthouse to its
utmost capacity. When the advocate
arrives and descends from his carriage
the outside crowd greet him with cries
''Vive la Eberte, TO all of which the
deputy blandly smiles and bows this
way and that. His progress to the
courtroom is continued ovation.
The case comes on for trial; Monsieur
the Procureur has unfolded it with dra-
matte force; the testimony is given on
one side and the other; the counsel for
the prosecution ''orates and gyrates.
Then it is the turn of M Jollier to de-
velop his defense The crowd hangs
on his lips breathlessly; M. the Pro-
cureur and even M. the Judge are
slightly nervous; the orator raises his
voice. His speech is simply and purely
political harangue, a terrible arralgn-
nent of the Government, and a general
Indictment against its career. Neither
he nor his client cares rush how the
case goes, nor what the damages are.
They are already victorious for they
have won the right to be publicly heard,
unrestricted. An audience, sympathetic
and enthusiastic in the highest degree,
listens; the mouths of judges and pros
ecutor are stopped; the orator, forget
full of his case, inculcates his favorite
doctrines unrestricted. IF the Judge,
finding the harangue a little too strong,
interrupts, he is met by scathing re-
tort, which, if he be not very uncom-
mon magistrate, indeed, effectually
teaches him not to interfere again. The
editor is convicted, pays fine (Which
jealous party subscription speedily
make up. or goes to prison for a
month or two, where he has the double
satisfaction of being a martyr and of
comp1acently rejecting that he has
done more for his cause than hundred
perfectly lawful leaders could have
done. It is well known that Berger,
up to his death, used to make q regular
progress through provincial france, in
the recess of the legislative body, en-
gagged ostensibly to defend oppressed
editors and patriots whose enthusiasm
had oVerstepped the law.-Brooktyn
Eagle.