1832.] The Character of Perier. 679 



ably the most obstinate and persevering mind in France, it was Perier that 

 was chosen to put this system into execution. 



Wlmt were the administrative talents of Casimir Perier ? 



The Juste Milieu have named him the administrates par excellence. 

 The mouvement party have declared him the subversive administrator. But 

 putting aside all party feelings, we say that Casimir Perier has given 

 striking proofs of great ability during his administration, notwithstanding 

 that he has often had recourse to base means. We must however condemn 

 the maxim he had adopted with regard to his ministerial dependents ; here 

 it is Ceux qui acceptent des places sous moi ne doivent avoir que ma 

 conscience. This inhuman maxim has been strictly and literally observed 

 during his reign. All who have shown in the least degree the possession 

 of any independent principles, have been immediately deprived of their 

 offices ; and Casimir Perier, when accused of despotism, has always 

 answered that no government can exist without it ! ! ! 



Was Casimir Perier a good Minister of the Interior ? 



Here, without mentioning the eulogiums of his paid-defenders, and the 

 accusation of his opponents, we will only relate the historical facts : 

 When Perier entered into office, France certainly was in a state of agita- 

 tion, and movement, but the greatest crisis had passed. Polignac and his 

 satellites had been tried and condemned, the Buonapartists and Republic- 

 ans had promised to support the government of the new dynasty, provided 

 the institutions of France should be improved. The Verideans, the Ver- 

 dets, and the Carlists of the South of France, were plunged in a sort of 

 stupor. The public press maintained an attitude of defence, but refrained 

 from assaults. Commerce was suffering, but it still existed ; no civil war 

 had taken place in any province of France, and all seemed to promise the 

 consolidation of the era of Liberty. 



Casimir Perier, " with good intentions," as his friends say, instead of 

 ameliorating the interior of France, did all that man could do to render it 

 worse. Lamarque was -soon deprived of his commandment of Vendee, 

 because he was no friend of the doctrinaires ; a few weeks had scarcely 

 elapsed, when civil war began in that province, and altho' fifty thousand 

 soldiers have been employed against the Vendeans, murder, degradation, 

 and revolt still continue to prevail amongst them. 



Casimir Perier " with good intentions," has established a sort of Cabi- 

 net Secret, where his censors scrutinise the political articles of the opposi- 

 tion journals ; and it is a fact, that the press never had a greater enemy 

 than the late Premier. " With good intentions," he has imprisoned two- 

 thirds of the political writers of France. 



Casimir Perier has also renewed the barbarous system of the domiciliary 

 visits, and perquisitions, and in this he has boldly manifested his arbitrary 

 disposition. It is a fact, that M. Vivien left the Prefecture of Police, be- 

 cause he saw that he was the mere instrument of the despotism of Perier. 

 His successor did the same, but Perier subsequently placed in this situation 

 one of his ancient satellites, and from that hour the police of Paris has exhi- 

 bited all the characteristics of the most odious inquisition. Mock conspiracies 

 have been invented, mock insurrections have been excited, and checked, 

 human blood has been shed, and all the prisons are overloaded with the 

 victims of the snares of Perier. 



Casimir Perier, " with good intentions," has re-organised the system of 

 Rovigo. Spies are to be found everywhere, and in order to administer to their 



