The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-04-30 00:00:00

PROCLAMATION OF THE EMPEROR

NAPOLEON.

The Emperor of the French has addressed the fol-
lowing proclamation to the nation
'The Constitution of 1802, drawn up by virtue of the power
you intrusted to me, and ratified by the eight million. of
votes which re.established the Empire, has given to France IS
years of peace and prosperity, not unattended with glory.
This Constitution has secured order, and has at the same
time left a way open for every Improvement. And, indeed,
the more security has been consolidated the larger has been
the share accorded to liberty. Ind successive changes have
altered the bases of the Pl,biscita, which could not be
modified without afresh appeal to the nation. It became,
therefore, indispensable that the new Constitutional Pact
should he approved by the people, as the Constitutions of the
Republic and of the Empire iornterly were. In thosetwo epochs
the belief was, as is my own belief at the present time, that
verythinsr done without you is illegal.
"The Constitution of France, Imperial and Democratic,
when confined to a limited number of essential regulations
which cannot be changed without your assent, wi 11 have the
advantage of rendering definitive the progress that has been
accomplished, and of shielding the principle of government
from political fluctuations.
" Time, too often lost in fruitless and passionate coutro-
version. may henceforth be more advantageously employed
In seeking the means of increasing the moral and material
' well-being of the greatest number.
" I speak to allot you who since the 10th of December, IS4B,
have surmounted every obstacle in order to place me at your
head ; and to you who for 22 years have incessantly added to
my greatness by your votes, supported me by your co-opera-
tion, and rewarded me by your aifec 'ion. Give me another
proof of your confidence ! By balloting affirmatively you
will conjurs down the threats of revolution, you will seat
order and liberty one solid basis, and you will render easier
for the future the transmission of the Crown to my son.
" Eighteen years ego you were almost unanimous lu con-
ferring the most extensive powers upon me. Be note, too,
as numerous in giving in your adhesion to the transforma-
tion of the Imperial r,;rirrie.
"A great nation cannot attain to Its complete development
without leaning for support noon institutions which are a
guarantee both for stability and progress.
To the reimest which I address to you to ratify the
liberal reforms that have been realised during the last ten
years answer 'Yes!'
" As to myself. faithf at to my origin, t shall Imbue myself
with your thoughts, fortify myself in your will, and, trusting
to Providence, I shall not cease to labour without intermis-
sion for the prosperity and greatness of France.
April 4, 1870." "NAPOLEON.

Saturday's Journal Officiel publishes an Imperial de-
cree by which the French people are called upon to as-
semble on Cie Bth of May and accept or reject the fol-
lowing Pleliscitum
The people approves the liberal reforms effected in the Con
atitution since Ihoo by the Emperor, with the co-operation of
the great bodies of the State, and ratifies the Senatus Con-
/tuition of the 20th April, 1070.
The voting will last from six o'clock in the morning
to six o'clock in the evening. The Prefects, may, how-
ever, if requested, fix the time for the commencement
of the proceedings at five o'clock in the morning. The
voting will be by ballot, with printed or written
bulletins, bearing the words "Yes" or "No."

PROSECUTION OF A JOCKEY FOR ILL-
TREATMENT OF HIS HORSE.

A case of considerable interest to sporting men was heard
on Monday, at Liverpool at the County Migistrates' Court.
It was a prosecution Mediated by the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to animals against Mr. George Hol-
man, the rider of the " Doctor " at the recent Liverpool
Grand National Steeplechase, for having used the whip and
spur to an unnecessary extent In urging his horse towards
the finish of the race. Mr. Harris, hammier, of the Midland
Circuit, nod-meted by Mr. Comm. appeared for the prosecu-
tion; and Mr. Fallon, of the Oxford Circuit, and Recorder
for 'Tewkesbury, instructed by Messrs. Cobb and Sowton
for the defence.
In opening the case, Mr. Harris said that public
attention was first called to it by the appearance of an
article in a London paper descriptive 01 the race, and
in the course of which it was stated that " the severity
of the race was demonatrated by the fact that the
Dcctor's' sides was fairly ripped up with the spurs."
That having appeared, the society felt it incumbent
upon them to institute the present proceedings. They
did not make any charge of 'deliberate cruelty againat
Holman ; what had taken place was in the excitement
of the finish, and knowing that large came of money
depended upon the result of the race, he had used the
whit: and spur in order to get his horse'e head an inch
or so before that of his competitor. When the race
was over there was a large quantity of coagulated blood
on the side of the horse.
Henry Feist, editor of the Sport mu Life and coffee-
purulent of the Daily Tclegro ph, under the title of
Hotspur," was then examined. His letter describing
the race was handed to him, which he identified. The
following are the words occurring in it upon which the
prosecution relied :—" Holman's horsemanship was
admirable, and the severity of the finish was demon-
strated by the fact that the " Doctor's " sides were
fairly ripped up with the spurs." Witness said that