The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-05 00:00:00

TILE lONIAN ISLANDS.

The following is an abstract of the decree dinsulv-
ing the lonian parliament:

After reciting that the object her Britannic Majesty has
in view in dissolving the parhument in a modification of the
existing constitution, tieciiig that the reforms introduced
two years ago in the constitution of 1817 have utterly failed
in producing the good effects anticipated, and that, with the
best intentions on the part of the governmnt, and the most
sincere co-operation of a majority of members in the late
assembly, little or nothing ha. been done for the benefit of
the people, the Lord High Commissioner declares that it is
I her Majesty's desire to see a well-regulated system of con-
' stitutional liberty established in the islands, and that he is
consequently authorised to propose certuiu modifications to
the next parliament, with a view to remove whatever
stands in the way of the fair operation of the late consti-
tutional changes, "provided always the result of the neat
elections be an assembly disposed to accept her Mei, sty's
liberal concessions in a proper spirit." The modi-
fications proposed are,-1. The substitution of an annual
to a biennial session, iu order thus to put an end to the die-
mentions between the Senate and the Assembly concerning
the constitutional right of the Senate to make regulations
having force of law during the recess, witii the consent of
the Lord High Commissioner. 2. The modification of
those articles, which regulate the present organisation of
the Senate, in order to increase the responsibility of its
members, and to regulate its duties. 3. Thu addition of a
fifth judge to the supreme council of justice, in order to
enable that body to decide all cases by an absolute majority,
instead of by the casting vote of the President of toe
Senate and the Lord High Commissioner. 4. The per.
minion to introduce a hill for the better regulation
of the powers of the local government. d. The sub-
stitution of powers defined by an act of parliament
to those now exercised under the name of the Iligh-
Police, in virtue of art. 4, sec. 2, ch. 7, of the Constitution,
which the Lord High Commissioner will recommend her
Majesty to abrogate, provided the lonian parliament be
disposed to join with him in the adoption of measures
" which the experience of the last two yearn has proved to
be indispensable."—"These," continues the document,
" are the great and pacific changes which a powerful sove-
reign offers her people under her protection, at a time when
popular rights, rapidly uud violently obtained in 1848, are
as rapidly disappearing all over Europe. The fate of
these islands is now in the hand' of the lonian people. By
a wise exercise of the power with which it is invested
by the constitution, it may combine peace in the into with security from foreign aggreasion, encourage-
ment to commerce, improvement in agriculture, a better
system of general education, the use of its native lan-
guage in all public affairs, wise ecouomy in the adminis-
tration of the commonwealth, and the most perfect liberty
of discussion with the adoption of every measure which may
practically tend to improve its social condition." The Lord
High Commissioner then concludes with expressing a hope
that such real and palpable benefits will not again fall a
sacrifice to anarchical factions ; ho adds, that although he
has very extensive powers for the purpose of upholding
the rights of her Britannic Majesty, and punishing those
who might presume to infringe them, but that he cannot
do the good he wishes without the co-operation of a parlia-
ment emanating from the free choice of the lonian people.
lie trusts the next parliament will cordially co-operate with
the senate for the good of the country, but declares that
should that not be the case, or should new insurrections
break out, tho responsibility of thu consequence shall Lie
with the people, not with him.