Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-10
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF NAPOLEON III.

Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the third son of Louis Bonaparte and a brother of the great Napoleon. spent the greater part of his life in in- trigues to become the emperor of the French and finally succeeded in 1852. Fifteen years of his early life were spent in exile. and he finally made an unsuccessful attempt to organize a revolution among the French soldiers stationed at Strasburg in 1836. He made a descent on France in 1S4o. near Boulogne but his efforts were unSuc- cessful. and he was arrested and inn prfsoned, along with Montholon, Per signy and Conneau
 For this act of treason against the government he was brought before the court of peers with his accomplices. the trial was fixed for Sept 2s, 1s4o. The month of September was employed by the government in the private ex- animation of the prisoners and by Louis Napoleon in such preparations for his trial as were possible.
 To all questions addressed to the pretender he refused any answer. On Sept 2S. at half past 12 in the morn ing, the prisoners were brought for the first time before the court of peers. Louis Napoleon was led in first. fel- lowed closely by the famous advocates, Berryer and Marie who had under taken his defense. Alittle man dress c0 HI p3dChs SilSnlIY pullt, pale raced, with calm manner and dreamy eye-this was the first vision which 1 the court of peers had of their future emperor
 By the side of Louis Napoleon was the venerable Gen. Menthelon, who, after sharing Napoieen's exile at St. Helena had in his old age placed his life at the disposal of his heirs. In all | some twenty prisoners were present. The chancellor, Duke Pasquier. was the first to speak. Addressing Louis Napoleon as first accused" he bid him stand. Then he asked him his name age and profession. To the last ques- ton the prisoner replied sl0wlys "A French prince in exile"
 Louis Napoleon then asked leave to make short statement, which was given. and he proceeded to make the | first of those short speeches. in which | he excelled. He said: T stand before you the representative of a principle a cause, a defeat The principle As I the sovereignty of the people. the cause is the cause of the empire; ths | defeat, Waterloo. That principle yor have recognized: that cause you have served: that defeat you would re- l venge."
 l After Louis Napoleon had finished s I number of questions were put to hin but to these he only replied in mono. Gyllables or more often refused to give 1 any at all. The chancellor then began | the examination of others accused Their behavior was exactly that of ths l chief prisoner. They had followed Louis Napoleon blindly and would fol. low him again. Thus spoke these vet. eran leaders of the first empire, as wei ! as the others,
 I Then the Preeureur- general, when al the evidence had been heard, addressed the court for the prosecution, Hi l speech was made up of pitiless re- lowed by a powerful appeal for heavy punishment.
 On Sept S6 BerryeF made his speed I for the defense. After he had fiHishet his strong appeal te the French PesPl | 1t was found that it was not Withaa effect. The damage of the attempt l. seize the throne had been ludicreHs the trial had been rendered a seriou I event, and what reFaained-the punish ment-sFas most serious of all.
 On Get the peers pronounced thei sentence. Only four were acquitted
 Aladenize was sentenced for life; Par | quin, who died in captivity, with Mon fhol6n. Lombard and. Pefsigny, va given twenty years of detention, a SC tere form ef punlshmeut;; Mesonar l fifteen years; Fpisnn and others te years, and three more Ave years sentenced to perpetual inprisonmen
 in fortress within the territories c
 France
 On Oct. the frigate thai was t
 bear the emperor's body back to Franc cast anchor at St Helena On tn saFns day Lapis Napoleon Eas eeH