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Subject Area: Political Theory
Collection: The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill

152.: FRENCH NEWS [53] EXAMINER, 25 MAR., 1832, PP. 200-1 - John Stuart Mill, The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill, Volume XXIII - Newspaper Writings August 1831 - October 1834 Part II [1831]

Edition used:

The Collected Works of John Stuart Mill, Volume XXIII - Newspaper Writings August 1831 - October 1834 Part II, ed. Ann P. Robson and John M. Robson, Introduction by Ann P. Robson and John M. Robson (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1986).

Part of: Collected Works of John Stuart Mill, in 33 vols.

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Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


152.

FRENCH NEWS [53]

EXAMINER, 25 MAR., 1832, PP. 200-1

For the entry in Mill’s bibliography, see No. 116. The item, headed “London, March 25, 1832,” is listed as “Article on France” and enclosed in square brackets in the Somerville College set of the Examiner.

there have been some disturbances at Grenoble, apparently not premeditated, but arising from a carnival frolic which took a political turn. All is now quiet.1

An important point has been carried in favour of the liberty of the press. Not contented with such verdicts as could be obtained against newspapers from Paris juries, M. Périer resolved, that as he found it difficult to get leave to punish his political opponents after trial, he would try whether it was feasible to punish them before. He accordingly commenced the practice of throwing journalists into prison as soon as process had commenced against them. After this had been done four times (the monstrous illegality was only attempted once during the sixteen years of the restoration; and in this one case, that of M. Cauchois-Lemaire,2 the explosion of public indignation was such as prevented the act of tyranny from being repeated), M. Armand Carrel, the principal editor of the National, published in his paper a declaration, signed with his name, that if such illegal violence should be attempted against himself, he would resist it by force, as he would any other assault upon his person or property.3 The Ministry, hereupon, discontinued the obnoxious practice, but prosecuted M. Carrel, and the editors of another paper, who had adhered, as the French phrase is, to his declaration.4 They have now been tried, and acquitted. This usurpation, therefore, is knocked on the head.

The Chamber continues to make various retrenchments; not indeed of great amount, but sufficient to excite the bile of M. Casimir Périer, who has accused the Deputies to their faces of an “esprit de vertige,” and “jalousie des supériorités sociales,” because they reduced a few salaries.5 The people now in power actually make a point of honour of their cupidity: they hold fast to the national purse-strings, with the feelings with which a soldier defends his post. Marshal Soult, the Minister of War, being accused of receiving, in defiance of an existing law, his emoluments as Minister, and his emoluments as a Marshal besides, burst out into a passionate exclamation, that his salary should only be torn from him with his life. On ne me l’ôtera qu’avec la vie!6 These were his very words. A new species of chivalry!

The French officer who broke open the gates of Ancona,7 is to be brought, it is said, to a court-martial. The Pope goes on protesting against the invasion of the French.8 His Holiness need not be alarmed. The French will not dethrone him, nor even suffer the Austrians to do so. The natural tendency of events when they are let alone is, that the better Governments swallow up the worse; but “French interests” will not allow this, though they allowed despotism to be re-established, and poor Menotti to be hanged.9 When will it be felt in this country, that there is more good in the most hot-headed republicans, than in the coterie of jobbers, tricksters, and low intrigans who form the existing Government of France!

[1 ]Trouble broke out in Grenoble during the city’s masquerades, and troops were used on 11, 12, and 13 Mar. to put down the riots, with some loss of life; see Moniteur, 1832, p. 785.

[2 ]Louis François Auguste Cauchois-Lemaire (1789-1861), a political writer, who, after returning from an exile imposed for his vehement opposition to the Bourbons, was prosecuted and imprisoned for his writings.

[3 ]Armand Carrel (1800-36), radical journalist and historian, who won Mill’s admiration (see his “Armand Carrel,” CW, Vol. XX, pp. 167-215). Carrel’s signed article was “Du flagrant délit en matière d’impression et publication d’écrits,” Le National, 24 Jan., 1832, pp. 1-2.

[4 ]Achille Roche (1801-34) and P. Lionne (or Lyonne), editor and managing editor of the Mouvement, were tried with Carrel and Paulin under the provisions of Art. 8 of Bull. 241, No. 8754 (18 July, 1828).

[5 ]Speech on the Budget (13 Mar.), Moniteur, 1832, p. 741.

[6 ]Ibid., p. 742. Soult was accused under the provisions of Art. 78 of Bull. 81, No. 623 (28 Apr., 1816).

[7 ]For Ancona, see No. 149. The officer was Captain Thomas Alexandre Gallois (1783-1840).

[8 ]For English notice of the protests of Pope Gregory XVI, see Morning Chronicle, 10 Mar., p. 1, and 24 Mar., p. 4.

[9 ]Ciro Menotti (1798-1831), Italian patriot, led the insurrection at Modena with, he thought, the co-operation of the Duke of Modena, but the Duke took Menotti prisoner, and hanged him on 26 May, 1831.