The New York Herald

The Extinction Of The Press In France.

The organic decree of Louis Napoleon against the French press-which we publish elsewhere in our columns-is a perfect curiosity as a State paper. At one fell swoop it not only destroys the miserable remnant that was left of the liberty of the press, but its very existence is, to all intents and purposes, annihilated. Let us see what this decree is.

It has two grand principles. In the first place, no newspaper, or journal, or periodical, can be published without the authority of Louis Napoleon; and secondly, there is the substitution of correctional jurisdiction for that of the jury, in trying political offences committed by the press. Witnesses will not be admitted; and the power is absolute of extinguishing any paper that may become obnoxious, or even suspected by the government, or that dares even to hint dislike. A journal may be suppressed without previous condemnation, by decree of the executive.

This is far worse than the censorship that was so dreaded. No paper will be permitted, in the first instance, to exist, of which Louis Napoleon is not satisfied that it is friendly to his interests; and if it should turn out that he was deceived, or if the paper should change to an opposition journal, that moment it is demolished. It is forbidden to publish reports of trials for press offences, and the courts may prohibit publication of other trials.

Then there is the enormous sum of 50,000 francs, or about $10,000, as caution money, which must be deposited as security to the government, for daily papers, and 30,000 francs for all others; and the publication of a paper without lodging the caution money, or without the authority of the executive, subjects the offender to a fine of from 100f. to 2,000f. for each number, with imprisonment from one month to two years. But the most singular part of the decree is the prohibition of the circulation in France of newspapers published in foreign countries, unless authorized by the government, and paying the same stamp duties imposed on domestic papers, if not exempted under a diplomatic convention.

The practical operation of this rule will be, if carried out, to prevent the introduction of all American and English newspapers in France, except those which flatter Louis Napoleon. This is worse than the rule of the Autocrat of Russia, which admits the newspapers of all foreign countries. In fact, since the beginning of the world, such a law was never promulgated against the press, and the code of Draco himself had nothing to match it.

Thus, with one breath the two great safeguards of human liberty-the press and trial by jury-are struck down together. To conduct a journal under such a decree would be a greater punishment than to be condemned to the galleys, and any man of independent spirit would rather earn his bread in the most menial employment, than submit to it.

This decree is the crowning tyranny of the despot-the cap of the climax-the apex of the pyramid whose foundation was laid in the coup d'etat of the 2d of December last. The structure is now complete, and it will be looked upon in after ages as an extraordinary monument of human daring and ambition, having for its basis the weakness and frivolity of the French national character. It is the slave makes the tyrant; and after all, the dictator is not so much to blame as the people, who not only tolerate him, but have stamped the broad seal of their sanction upon his acts, by such a vote as was never given for any man seeking office before. They have ratified his despotism by seven millions and a half of suffrages, and the present measure is but the natural sequel of the drama, of which, however, we have not yet seen the denouement.

We read in ancient history, of a man named Eratostratus, who, in order to perpetuate his memory, set fire to the magnificent temple of Diana at Ephesus. The name of Louis Napoleon will be handed down to latest posterity in connection with the destruction of the liberties of his country. There is just one feature in his career that redeems it from utter infamy-it is its boldness. There is a dash of courage about it that savors of the bearing of Napoleon the Great. It has been said by a distinguished French writer, that power is like a pyramid; whose top is reached by two kinds of men-one of them being like reptiles, who creep to their object, while the other kind take possession of it by a sudden, bold stroke, like the soaring flight of the eagle. It is evident that Louis Napoleon is of the latter class. Whether a swift arrow shall take him down from his "pride of place," or whether the imperial bird is destined to perch where he is till he dies a natural death, is a problem that remains to be solved. Certain it is that he has got rid of one dangerous influence against him-an opposition press; but it may turn out in the end that it would have been better to have allowed the journalists to give vent to their indignation in paper warfare, than that they should be "nursing their wrath, to keep it warm," and probably hatching some plot against his power, if not his life. This has been always the danger to tyrants, when they destroy the liberty of the press and suppress the right of public meeting and discussion. It was the stifling of the voice of the press that drove Charles X. from the throne of France, and produced the revolution in 1830, which resulted in making Louis Philippe "King of the French." It was the suppression of a banquet at Paris, at which it was intended to express opinions upon the government, that overthrew the Bourbon dynasty and sent Louis Philippe across the water to England, disguised in a pea jacket. It would be a curious result if this utter extinction of journalism in France led to the overthrow of Louis Napoleon, and sent him, not over the channel, but perhaps over the river Styx. But it is wonderful how men can endure even the extremes of despotism, when they get used to it; and the French people seem to have become perfectly reconciled to their condition, consoling themselves with the reflection that they would be far worse off under a red republican reign of terror. When they are satisfied with their master, "outside barbarians" have no right to find fault with him.