Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-07-31

{ Blythe Confidence from Lire.gl9ot at Boston
FREMCH 7RfB0MlTE--Mar 8.

FRENCH T1tf8O.N4TE--EIaY 8.
Observati MS againt the establishment of
a Legion of Honor.
Shvoy-Rollin attacked the plan as con-
trary to the letter and spirit OF the consti-
tuition. " A free state contains only ma
Slstratcs and citizens---Those VINO wish
to defend the plan rely ON the S7th art;
Gle OF the constitution; which declares,
that national recompences shall be given
10 those warriors who shall have rendered
conspicuous services in fighting for the re-
pubic. only see in that promise Of gran
ting TO our brave soldiers individual re-
compence; but to discover, in this article.
an order of chivalry, privileged corps,
one must forget our language and our
constitution.
The people ought not to tolerate a
body bound by oathS, and more powerful
than the people, to undertake the defence
Of the constitution. The people should
be subordinate only 20 their Magistrates.
and those Magistrates are designated by
the constitution.
Irbunes, to accept Legion Of Ho-
nor, is to accept of Patrician Order tits
the introduction of an hereditary and mi
htary Noblesse into the republic.
After twelve years of frighttuI calami-
ties, which the genius of France (cuided
by one of those extraordinary men who
are necessary to finish revolutions) has
surmounted, to accept of such an institu-
ton, armed with power and privileges,
would be TO go back to the point from
which We set out. What do say 1t is
going back to those barbarous ages that
gave birth to the feudal system, which
began with war horses, fine coats of ar
mour, and festivals, but which ended with
cnslaving of Europe for eight centuries.
= Such is the case now in Russia and
IN Turkey, where the condition OF the ci-
tizen or subjects subordinate 10 the class
OF soldiers. In free state, the civil Of
nicer ought to have the first place.
" Il viii be quite different in the Legion
St i4dn5i> and VIII j. not be shameful, tbat
anl officer, who shall have carried redoubt
at the point OF the sword. should have a
higher rank than Montesquieu, the author
OF The Immortal work " The spiri. of
Laws ,"
" For many ages our Kings even did
not dare TO trust the defence of their states
10 knights Grant or TO orders of chivalry.
why this exclusive denomination of Le-
sion Of Honor, as if honor was an exc,u-
siYe privilege Honor is not given, it is ac-
CURED. Often those to whom ii is given
have not deserved it, and those have de-
served 1t to whom it has not been given.
Besides one of the dispositions of the plan
Postpones the execution till the lst Vende-
mlare, year Il. do not see why the
sanction Of it should not be postponed for
the same term, | vote its rejection"
This speech was ordered 20 b. printed.
Chauvelin opposed the plan that was
now presented and thought that both the
authors and defenders OF il had very wide |
" departed from the object they declar- !
edo Without doubt it is incumbent on ls
to discharge the great debt of national gra-
utude to our brave warriors we must
confirm what has been already decreed, |
and other rewards of a new, honorable.
and distinguished nature. But can it be ne
cessary TO incorporate civil dictionaries in !
an organization altogether military I'm |
the ancient republics, military exploits |
have been often rewarded by civil dis;inc- |
lions; q crown Of laurel or of oak leaves a.
dorned alike the head of the warrior and !
the magistrate, the poet and the artist
but this will be the first time that hero. |
ism IN civil Offices is TO be repaid by mi
iitary honors, that are nothing in the eyes
Of reason, ii not gained in battle. If the
path required Of this corps was necessary
tor the security of our rights, it should
DC taken by the army in general, and by
All Frenchmen. If it be superfuous, it
an only tend to call in question that equal
ty which the laws consecrate, which is
lear TO all Frenchmen, which was intro
iucsd by our manners for half a century
IasI, and which was rather acknowledged
han required in 1889. Such CORPORATE
m as this would partake Of the vices of
Soblesse, on account Of the distinction
upon it; it would, Tx. the cler-
y, possess itself Of estates in the mort
main, and would, like them continue Sc
'arate order in the state. The authors
I the plan represented this institution as
useful Intermediary between the power {
{ the government and the public opini- !
II; such doGtrine is altogether unconsti- 4
itlonal; in a representative government 7
Re constituted authorities are the only in a
.rmediaries between the government and il
le people. In France, il is the Tribu- Ii
itc. the Senate, and the legislative Bo- II
that are the constitutional intermedia- Il