The Express.
London, England, 1851-11-05 00:00:00

" SVMMARY.

" You have just heard a faithfulexposition of the situa-
tion of the country. As to the past, it offers satisfactory re-
sults ; nevertheless, a state of general uneasiness tends to
increase daily. Everywhere labour grows slack, poverty
augments, interests are alarmed, and anti-social expecta-
tions swell high in proportion as the enfeebled powers of
the state approach their term.
" In such a state of things, the first care of the govern-
ment must be to seek out the means of avoiding the dan-
gers which threaten and ensuring the best means of safety.
Already, in my last message, my words on this subject
I remember it with pride, were favourably received by the
Assembly. I sold to you—
" The uncertainty of the future gives rise to many appre-
hensions, while it awakens many hopes. Let us all be pre-
pared
to sacrifice these hopes to our country, and let us give
heed to its interests alone. If, during this session,
you vote for the revision of the constitution, our con-
stituent Assembly will remodel our fundamental laws, and
fix the destiny of the executive power. If you do not vote
it, the people in 1852 will solemnly manifest the expression
of its will anew. Whatever may be the solution of the
future, let us understand each other, in order that it may
never be passion, surprise, or violence which shall decide
the fate of a great nation.
" To-day the questions are the same, and my duty is not
altered. It is inflexibly to maintain order, it is to banish
all causes of agitation, in order that the resolutions which
are to decide our fate may be conceived amidst calm and
adopted without contest."
"These resolutions can emanate only fromadecisive act of
the national sovereignty, since they are all based on the
popular election. Well, now, I have asked of myself whe-
ther, in the presence of the division of passions, of the con-
fusion of doctrines, of the division of parties, when all cons-

bine to attack the morals, the justice, the authority of the
nation, we ought to stand by and leave shaken and incom-
plete the only principle which, in the midst of the general
chaos, Providence upholds for us to gather round it.
" Since universal suffrage again raised the social fabric, by
substituting a right fur a revolutionary fact, is it wise in us
to continue narrowing its basis? And, lastly, I have asked
myself, when new powers shall preside over the desti-
nies of the country, should we not from the first compromise
their stability, if we left a pretext for questioning their
origin, or fur misrepresenting their legitimacy?
" No doubt was possible, and, without wishing for a
single instant to swerve from the policy of order which I
have always followed, I have been obliged in many respects
to separate from a cabinet which had to the full my confi-
dence and respect, in order to choose another which,equally
composed of honourable men, and of such whose conserva-
tive sentiments are publicly known, but who consented to
admit the necessity of re-establishing universal suffrage on
the broadest possible basis.
" You will therefore have presented to you the draught
of a law which restores the principle in all its fullness, in
retaining from the law of the 31st of May everything which
winnows universal suffrage from impure elements, and
which makes its application now moral and regular.

"The project has consequently no features which can
possibly govern this As,embly ; for i(1 think it expedient
to ask to-day for the withdrawal of the law of the :11,t of
May, I do not mean to deny the approbation which I paid
at that time to the cabinet which claimed from the chief
of the majority whose work this law was the honour of pre-
senting it.
"If we remember the

under whick this law

was presented we shall not, I believe, refuse to avow that
it was a political act rather than an electoral law, that it
was really and fully a measure of public benefit. When-
ever the majority shall propose to me energetic measures for
the salety of the country it may rely on my loyal and dis-
interested support. But the best of measures for the public
welfare have hut a I:tnited time.

" The law of the 31st of May has, in its application, even
gone beyond the object intended to he attained. No ono
foresaw the suppression of 3,000,000 electors, two-thirds
of whom are peaceful inhabitants of the country.
What has been the result? Why, that this immense ex-
clusion has served as a pretest to the anarchist party, who
cloke their detestable designs beneath the appearance
of a right withdrawn and to be recouquert4l. Too
weak in numbers to take possession of society by their
votes, they hope, under favour of the general emotion :ind
the decline of the powers of the state, to kindle in several
points of France at once troubles, which would be quelled no
doubt, but which would throw us into fresh complications.
Independently of these dangers the law of the 31st May pre.
sous, as an electoral law, grave inconveniencies. I have never
ceased to believe thnt a day would come when it would be
my duty to propose its repeal. Detective when applied to
the election of an assembly, it is still more so in the case of
nominating u president, for though a residence of three
years in a commune may have appeared a guarantee of dis-
cernment imposed on electors in the knowledge of those
who arc to represent them, so long a term of residence
cannot be considered necessary for the appreciation of the
candidate destined to the government of I•'ruce.

"Another serious übjeCiion is this—the constitution re-
quires for the validity of the election of a President by the
people at least 2,000,000 of suffrages, and, if this number
is not collected, the right of election is conferred on the
Assembly. The Constituent Assembly had therefore decided
that, out of 10,000,000 voters inscribed on the lists, onc•fflth
was sufficient to render the election valid.

" At the present time, the number of electors being re-
duced to 7,000,000, to require 2,000,000 is to invert the pro.
portion—that is to say, it is to demand almost one-third in-
stead of one-fifth, and thus, in a certain eventuality to take
the election out of the hands of the people to give it to the
Assembly. It is, therefore, positively changing the condi-
tions of eligibility of the President of the Republic.
" Lastly, I call your particular attention to another rca-

son which perhapa may ',rove decisive.
"The re-establishment of universal suffrage on its princi-
pal basis furnishes an additional chance of obtaining
the revision of the constitution. You have not forgotten
why the adversaries of this revision refused last session to
vote for it. They urged this argument, which they knew
how to render specious : The constitution, said
they, which is the work of an assembly taking
its rise in universal suffrage, cannot be modified
by an assembly issuing from a restricted suf-
frage. Whether or not this lie a real motive or a
pretext only, it is expedient to set it aside and to
be able to say to those who would hind the country
down to an Immutable constitution, —Behold univer-
sal suffrage re-established, the majority of the Assem-
bly supported by 2,000,000 of petitioners, by the greater
number of the councils of arrondissement, and almost
unanimously by the councilageneral, demands the revision
of the fundamental compact. nave you less confidence
than we in the expression of the popular will ? The ques-
tion therefore, may be thus stated to all who desire a
pacific solution to the difficulties of the day:
"The law of the 31st of May has its imperfections, but
even were it perfect should it not, nevertheless, be repealed
if it is to prevent the revision of the constitution, the mani-
fested wish of the country.
" It is objected, I am aware, that on my part these propo•
eats are inspired by personal interest. My conduct for the
last three years ought to repel such an allegation. The
welfare of the country, I repeat, will always be the solo
moving spring of my conduct. I believe it my duty to pro-
pose every means of conciliation, and to use every effort to
bring about a pacific, regular, and legal solution, whatever

'Kayos its issue.
Thus then, gentlemen, the proposal I makn to you is,
neither a piece of party tactics, nor an egotistical edeula-
term, nor a sudden resolution; it is the result of serious me-
ditation, and of a prefound conviction. I do not pretend
that this measure will banish all the difficulties of the situa-
tion. But to each day its appointed task.
"To-day to re-establish universal suffrage is to deprive
civil war of its ensign, the opposition of its last argument.
It will be to furnish France with thu possibility ut giving
Neff institutions which may insure its repose. It will bo
to give back iu future to the powers of the state that moral
force which can uuly exist so long as it reposes on a con-
secrated principle and an iucontestible authority.
" Receive, gentlemen, the assurance of my high esteem.
" LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPANTE.

" Elysee National, Nov. 4."
The minister afterwards read a project oflaw, proposing
the complete abrogation of the law of the 31st May, Irl4o,
and re-establishing the electoral law of the loth March,lBl9.
In virtue of the new law all citizens 21 years of age, and
having resided six months in the commune, are declared
electors. The military men are to vote in the commune
where they were born and drew the conscription. PublM
functionaries and ministers of religious worship recognised
by the state are to exercise their electoral right in the com-
mune where they exercise their functions, whatever may be
the period of their residence.
The minister, in conclusion, demanded urgency.
M. Berryer hero rose and begged leave to offer a few
observations on the order of the day. (Cries of" Lot us vote
without any discussion" on the Lett.) M. lierrycr however
insisting on saying a few words on the expediency of taking
the urgency into coati& raticn was allowed to proceed. The
document Just read was, he serious one and the un-
foreseen retirement of the preceding cabinet added to its
gravity. (Interruption on the Left.) The publication of a
recent circular of the Minister of War, in which there was no
mention of the respect due to the laws and the dcstitutions,
and the disclosures made by some of the most important
organs of public opinion has produced an emotion audunea.si-
ness in the mi nd,which it was the dutyoltheAssernbly to allay.
(Murmers OR the Left. Messrs. Emile de (lirardin and Pierre
Bonaparte addressed interim:nation to the speaker amidst tho
noise.) M Berryer added that in the present critical cir-
cumstances the Assembly was bound to suspend its vote on
the urgency, until the political question and the political
situation should be fully explained to the satisfaction of tho
country. Ile accordingly proposed the appointment of a
special committee of members of the Assembly. to inquire
with impartiality and reflection into that situation, in order
to allow the Assembly to pursue perseveringly and with
perfect knowledge the task of watching over the repose of
the country.
M. Oiraud, Minister of Public Instruction, said that the

course proposed by M. Berryer would have the contrary
effect, and disturb instead of reassuring the country.
The Commission of Permanence besides had reapeatedly met
during the recess, and as often declared, and in particular
after the change of ministers, that the country had no rea-
son to be alarmed, and that there was. consequently, no
necessity to convoke the National Assembly. (Approbation
on several benches.)
The President then read the proposition of M. Betryer,
who asked that the Assembly should meet to-morrow in its
bareaux, and, after hearing the explanations of ministers
on the situation of the country, appoint a committee to
institute en inquiry, and report upon that Situation.
(Murmurs on the Lett.)
M. Emile de Oirardiu said that it was easy to account for
the change of ministers. Those who retired had proposed
the law, of which the new cabinet de.nanded the abrogation.
For his part, he considered the law of the 31st of May, IS
to have been a law of provocation), and he rendered homage
to the policy that saved France (ruin the horrors of a civil
war.
M. de Thorigny observed that by demanding urgency, the
cabinet did not mean that the bill should come immediately
under consideration. On the contrary, he wished it to be
the object of serious meditations, and had no ok,ection t
the discussion being continued to-morrow.
M. Larochejacquelin supported the urgency, and after its
adoption by the Assembly, he would, he said, vote in favour
of M. Berryer's proposition, for he always wished to be en-
lightened as to the situation of tl.e country.
M. Berryer replied that he always spoke with sincerity.
(" Oh ! oh !" on the Left). It was impossible that the
Assembly could grant urgency, without knowing whether
the rumours in circulation were true or false.
M. Giraitd replied that the ministry was ready to give the
explanations desired by M. Berryer on any day the Assembly
though proper to fix. The adoption of the urgency, how-
ever, did not prejudge the question.
The President then put the urgency to the vote. The
Left, and a few members here and there on the Right, rose
in its favour. The great majority on the Right and Centro
voted against it, and the urgency was declared to have been
rejected by the President.
The Assembly afterwards adjourned at half-past 5 o'clock
in great agitation.
" Tho first part of the message was listened to in
silence. The announced determination of the Pre-
sident to combat by all
.possible means the immense
conspiracy organising in France and throughout
Europe against religion and society elicited some
murmurs on the Left, which were almost immediately
hushed up. An allusion to the new Minister of
Marine (a Professor of the University) subsequently
excited immoderate laughter on the Left. The iu-

rerruptions were reserved fee the concluding part,
relative to the abrogation of the electoral law of the
31st May, 1830, and they arose from nearly all sides
d the Assembly.
The members of the club of the Rue des I) ra-
mides met last night at the house of M. Haru, to the
number of about 30. MM. de lklontelembert, de
Broglie, Darn, and ()dilon Ilarrot, were appointed
presidents. It was decided that an attempt Should be
made to reconstitute the majority; and for this object
the board of the club has been charged to confer
with that of the club of the Rue de R I
ivoli, in order
to form a great parliamentary club like that formerly
called the club of the Conseil d'Etat. All seemed
agreed to accept modifications of the law of May 31,
but determined to oppose the pure and simple abro-
gation. The tone of the meeting was conciliatory.
The Ornstitutionnel contains a letter from M. Bil-
lault addressed to 1/r. Vomit, in which the former
explains the circumstances of his attempt to form a
cabinet. M. Moult would not discuss names until
he had settled the policy of the government. He
could then have framed without difficulty a ministry
of able but obscure men, who had pledged them-
selves to support him. Ile preferred, however, a
list of names well known to the public, and calculated
to conciliate at once public confidence. The presi-
dent, however, preferred another list ; therefore M.
Billault thought it his duty to retire. This is the
whole explanation.
General d'Alphonso, commander of the Cher,
under state of siege, has published two decrees, the
first of which interdicts all political meetings, sing-
ing of revolutionary songs, agitation of foreigners,
sale of powder, arid detention of arms ; all rural
taverns are to be closed at nine in the evening, and
talks in the tawris at ten. The other edicts dissolves
the national guard.
The Pat•se announces that Lord John Russell is
expected here.

BELGIUM.

OPENING OF THE CHAIM
THE KING'S SPEECH.

Yesterday (Thursday) morning the King of Bel-
gium opened the ordinary session or the Chambers at
Brussels, and delivered the following speech
Gentlemen,—On finding myself in your midst,
after an interval of two years, it gives me the great-
est pleasure again to bear witness to the prosperous
and tranquil situation of the country. This situutioo,
which attests at once the stability of its institutions
and the excellent spirit of its people, recommends
Belgium to the esteem of other nations. Its happy
effe,ts r.c felt in our intercourse with foreign states,
and my government continues to entertain with them
relations of mutual good-will.
Social laws of a high interest have been votci.
in your two last sessions. I may particularise as
among the most important the law on alimentary
commodities, those which founded the National
Bank, the general service of the state-treasury, the
general pension-fund, and the societies fur mutual
succour; the laws which regulate upper and middle
schools; and, hotly, the new legislation which re-
forms the proceedings in bankruptcy and the mort-
gage system.
A body of laws was presented to you in the
course of the last session, with the two-fold purpose
of re-establishing the hokum, of our finances and of
obtaining for the country public works whose execu-
tion, in itself an element of security, greatly concerns
its prosperity. A partil, and, I rejoice to know, a
transient want of harmony, has prevented the adop-
tion of these measures of incontestable utility. I
warmly wish that these difficulties may be resolved
speedily in a wise spirit of moderation and con-
formably to the interest of the country. Present
circumstances, gentlemen, render more than ever
desirable harmony between the powers of the state;
and Belgium, which for four years has inaintained
herself in a strong and peaccrul situation, will not,
I hope, submit to any vexatious embarrassment in
the administration of her affairs.

Independently of the new laws which will be pre-
Rented to them, the Chambers will have to occupy
themselves with several whose consideration or deci-
sion was suspended last session. You will doubtless
place among your first labours the making of laws
svith regard to consular jurisdiction, forest lands,
projects relative to preventive imprisonment and
forced expropriation ; and, finally, the reform of
the penal code and the new law of poll-tax,
intended to place taxation upon the most equitable

basis.

The law on public beneficence will shortly be sub-
mitted to your deliberation.
The state of the crops is satisfactory. It will
ensure to all classes of the liopulution the benefits of
abundant food, while leaving to the producer a re-
munemtionmore considerable than in many other
countries.
Agricultural industry continues to develope and
perfect itself. All the efforts of the government
tend to this end. The works for the improvement of
the neighbouring high-roads have of late years been
greatly extended. the advantages which the good
state of the communications procures for agriculture
are daily better uppriviated, and the communes
efficiently second the action or the government and
provinces.
The sanitary condition of the country is generally
satisfactory. Under the impulsion of the govern-
ment, the local authorities vie with each other in
their zeal fur the amelioration of the condition of the
labouring classes with regard to health.
Industry and commerce continuo to maintain a
prosperous course. Our external commerce, which
had attained in ISI9 a degree of development to
which it had never before arrived, has lost nothing
during 18.30, and all things promise far the current
year results not less favourable.
My government has opened commercial negotia-
tions with different states of Europe. A treaty of
commerce and navigation has been recently con-
cluded with the government of the Netherlands.
The negotiations with Great Britain have
lost been concluded. The onerous and exceptional
impost to which, for five-and-twenty years our flag
has been subject in English ports has ceased to weigh

upon our commerce.
Thc Exposition of London has given to Belgian
industry a fresh occasion to show its activity and
spirit a progress. To the praise of our industrial
community, I am happy to add that of our artists,
who have worthily maintained the reputation of the
Belgian school, as well in the Exhibition of London
as in the general competition which my government
bad opened to the tine arts.
Our civic guard continues to givo proofs of zeal
and patriotic devotion, and the country may count
upon it as upon her brave army, of which I cannot
too much praise the good spirit, intelligence, and
discipline.
The examination of all questions which concern
oar military establishments has just been confided to
&committee, the result of whose labours will ultimate.

ly be commMunicated to the chambers. I doubt not'
that this impartial inquiry, followed by parliamentary
debates will have the result of placing the national
institutlun of the army on strong, stable, and de-
finitive basis.
It is with confidence, gentlemen, that my govern.
meat makes a loyal appeal to your co-operation. In
remaining faithfully and firmly united we shall
triumph over the difficulties which the future may
have in reserve for ns.