Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-15

/ 4'I01h Gei HiHoE. IN. IL. No. Ill., Lon
! don.
Paris.
THE 1RIBUNATE.
| The speech which Carnot made against
the motion for bestowmg the Imperial
power upon Bonaparte was given shortly
IN our paper some days since: its impur-
lance Induces US 10 give it verbatim.
Citizens trbunes, among the
/ speakers who have preceded me, and all
OF whom have supported the molten of
order OF our colleague Curee, several have
anticipated the objections to be made to
it, and have answered them with as much
talent as temper. They have given an
example of moderation which shall en-
deavor 10 initiate in Offering other obser-
vations which seem TO have escaped them.
Because ! oppose their advice, request
they may not attribute to me personal mo-
tves unworthy the character Of man
| entirely devoted 10 his country. To pre-
vent such an Imputa,iOn, desire them to
examine sorupulously my political conduct
since the commencement Of the revoluti
OH and the history of my private life.
am far from wishing TO weaken the
owe no more 10 Bonaparle than the civil
code, his name would deserve 10 be hand
&C down 10 posterity. But i'll acknowled-
! ing The services citizen has rendered his
country, reason sets bounds 10 the natio-
, nal gratitude. Ii this citizen has restored
the liberty of the public, if he has atchiev.
ed the safety of his country, would it be
| a reward 10 otler him the sacrifice Of that
| very liberty?
" From the moment it was proposed to
he French people to vote on the questi-
on for making the consulate for life, no one
could have easily supposed that they wete
only projected TO procure for it the high.
| est protection that could be wished; no
one could suppose that there remained an
after thought, or foresee an uierior object.
! Z" In tact we see rapidly succeed each
other crowd Of institutions evidently mo
narohical al each of them We are desir-
ed To assure uneasy minds of the safety
of liberty, and to protest that these insti
tutions are only Tor The conservation Of
liberty.
g. Now at last we discover in positive
manner the end ofaIl The preliminary mea-
SurcS,
owe are called upon topronounce on the
formal proposition OF re establishing the
monarchical system, and of comforting the
imperial hereditary dignity OH The first
consul.
voted formerly against the consulate
forlife will vote still against the re es-
Enlistment of monarchy, as l think am
obliged 10 do soby my character OF tribune
but still shalldo so with the Caution neces.
sary to avoid reviving party spirit; will
DO SO without personality, without any o.
Their passion than feeling FOR the public
good, remaining still with The conscious
pride of having made my utmost eXerlions
III defence OF the popular cause.
-" again declare myreadiness to submit
10 the eXisting laws, even when they dis.
please me the most. Many time have /
been the viGlim Of my devotion to them,
and shall now begin to follow contrary
course. ] declare then in the first place
that in opposing the proposition, the mo.
ment that new order of things shall be
established, and shall have received he
assent OF The mass of the citizens, will be
tic hrst to conform to ii IN all my actions,
to give TO the supreme authority all the
marks ofrespecl required by the constitu.
tional hierarchy. May all the members
Of the great society, declare themselves
as sincerely and as disinterestedly as have
done.
"lwill throw nothing into the discussion
OF the preference which should generally
be given TO such or such system OF go.
yernment over such or such another
There exists ON this subject volumes with.
out humber; viii limi, my enquiry to
a very few words, in terms the mos
PLAIN and simple, Of The particular cause
e IN which circumstances have placed US
" IN the arguments I'LL this day ON thC
. establishment OF monarchy in FRANCE
! reduce themselves 10 this; thdi without il
i ,here cannot exist the means OF securing
;, &c s.,,lii'y c! Tic CoytiAmcu; aad p-L..'