IN DEFENSE OF HIS SON[1]
(1851)
Born in 1802, died in 1885; to his great career as an Author is to be added the fact that he was exiled from France in 1851, remaining absent until 1870, and that he was elected a Life Member of the French Senate In 1876.
Gentlemen of the Jury:—If there is a culprit here, it is not my son—it is myself—it is I!—I, who for these last twenty-five years have opposed capital punishment—have contended for the inviolability of human life—have committed this crime, for which my son is now arraigned. Here I denounce myself, Mr. Advocate General! I have committed it under all aggravated circumstances—deliberately, repeatedly, tenaciously. Yes, this old and absurd lex talionis—this law of blood for blood—I have combated all my life—all my life, gentlemen of the jury! And, while I have breath, I will continue to combat it, by all my efforts as a writer, by all my words and all my votes as a legislator! I declare it before the crucifix; before that victim of the pen-
- ↑ Hugo's son, Charles, was put on trial in Paris on June 11, 1851, charged with disrespect to the laws, in that he had severely criticized the sentence and execution of one Montcharmant. Charles Hugo was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison and a fine of five hundred francs.
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