M. Clemenceau.—“One word more. When M. Casimir-Perier took the stand, he began to testify before making oath, saying: ‘I believe that it is my duty not to tell the whole truth.’”
The Judge.—“That is not at all what M. Casimir-Perier said. He declared that he did not believe it his duty to speak.”
M. Clemenceau.—“I demand that the question be put to the witness.”
M. Casimir-Perier.—“I had in view the formula of the oath, which requires the telling of the whole truth, and I desired to point out that I could not tell the truth entire, having in view, in saying so, my declaration of yesterday, and, moreover, knowing no facts relating to the case before the court, besides considering that concerning other matters silence is imposed upon me by my duty and my constitutional responsibility.”
M. Labori.—“I ask pardon of M. Casimir-Perier for keeping him longer, but I cannot allow him to go until my motion has been passed upon.”
M. Casimir-Perier.—“I am a simple citizen, and at the service of the courts of my country.”
M. Labori.—“M. Casimir-Perier sets an illustrious example, when others have to be forced by legal measures to appear in the assize court.”
The Judge.—“You offer a motion, but you know what the opinion of the court is. It will be the same decree again.”
M. Labori.—“Well, it will be only the easier to render it.”