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Using the Gendarmerie to enforce anti-clerical laws in the 1880’s and 1890’s changes the opinion of the conservatives on a force they traditionally used to praise for their contribution to law and order and the defence of the authorities. The press along catholic and royalist papers accuse the gendarmes of losing their honour by raiding by surprise, like common policemen, and by jostling women (nuns) and children. But the conservatives’ affection towards the gendarmes doesn’t totally disappear, and several commentators present them as victims of a new power they reluctantly serve. It is easy then for some republicans to make fun of a conservative press that applaud the “good gendarmes” called against miners on strike but boo the “rude constables” hired against clerical demonstrators.