As the preparatives for the election of M. Bonaparte's new
" Corps Legislatif ",develop themselves, the oppressive and fraudu- lent nature of the process becomes more and more apparent. Not only is the Government to nominate a candidate for every place, but steps are taken which will render the election of any but the Government candidate almost impossible ; nor can the electors communicate, by meeting or writing, to organize even a hopeless resistance. We can have little conception of such a thing in this country. Both Greenwich and Perth havejust elected Govern- ment candidates, but by open choice : think of the candidates which a Minister might send if opposition were impossible ; and think what would be the conduct of the men thus elected without cheek ! In fact, under the pretence of election, the temporary Au- tocrat of France is summoning by writ a class of man to take part in the conspiracy at Paris, to play the farce of legislation, and co- qierate with the adventurers who have possession of the Tuileries. The Corps Legislatif might be called the Chamber of Accomplices. A rumour is current in London, and has appeared in print, that lawyers have been engaged on the part of M. Bonaparte, to search among English journals and find a case whereon to rest an action for libel. The agents of Louis Napoleon need not have searched far ; they have but to open any journal, except their own, to find what they seek. It is an emblems de richesse. And when they have found their . prey, what are they to do with it Are we to treat a foreign " potentate "more squeamishly than we have treated kings of our own nation? Assuredly French maxims will not pre- vail in English courts. Or if judges could be found to sympathize with the Treasury and ex-Treasury benches, what verdicts would English juries give P It would be amusing to see M. Bonaparte, or any of his set, appear as plaintiff in an English court of justice, with the whole press for defendant. He will hardly attempt any such coup d'etat in London.
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