Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-21

general government, yet they must be chosen
from the persons nominated by the people OF
the state or province, through their electors
The prominen, features Of the Constitution
are certainly republican, though they may seem
al first to partake more OF The bodness and ar
bitrary character of monarchy. In the first and
second clauses Of the second article, it is ex-
pressly declared, that "the government of Boil
via is popular and representative; that sovereign
ty emanales from the people, and resides in the
authorities established by the Constitution"
This is certainly setting out with fundamen-
tai republican principle. The divine right of
Kings, the inherent possession and inheritance
Of power, are contradicted and overthrown.
sin article I'd, il is provided that every citizen
shall have vote, and that every ten shall elect
one, who shall exercise, during four years the
electoral power, in their name. This body Of
electors, chosen Immediately by the people, and
being the tenth part of the whole population,
elect, Of themselves, or nominate to the Legis-
aure, for its choice, all the officers of the ma
ton, and Of their respective departments, pro-
ynces,4caniuns and parishes. The idea we
think very happy one. Any person aware of
the ignorance of the people OF those countries,
in matters or forms Of republican self-go-
vernment, must think so too II leaves them
the right of suffrage, and an ample parlicipa-
ton in their own affairs, and conhde the high
and all-important duty OF choosing proper per-
sons to administer the laws, to men more capa-
bic Of fulfilling il properly. We should bear
in mind that repubcanism, with those people,
is an experiment indeed, and that they are not
so much 10 be endowed, at present, with all its
functions, as 10 be taught to exercise them al
some future period The same article declares,
that "the right Of suffrage shall never be sus-
pended, but that the magistrates, without wait
ing for orders, shall call the people together for
its exercise on the days appointed by law
The right Of voting is wisely confded to those
who can read and write, and public education
is 10 be provided for by law. AT the promul-
CATION Of the constitution all the slaves are to
be set free, and suitable compensation is to
be made to their masters. 1t is evident, that
so heterogeneous and motley population will
require many years to blend and be uniform
and orderly.
The 4lh article treats of the Legislative
Branch 1t is there declared, that the "legls
tive power emanates from the electoral bodies
chosen as we have seen by the people; and that
il resides in three Houses: viz: the Tribunes,
the Senate and the Ccnsors." Each house is
to consist, for the first twenty years, OF thirty
members Their general and Joint persons are,
to approve the nomination he shall make of
Vice President, TO select the seat OF govern
ment, to fix and al.er the place Of meeting, 10
impeach and try for certain offences, to invest
the President, in times of difficulty, with such
further authority as they may deem necessary
for the preservation of the state, TO fill up their
own vacancies by selecting one person from
three presented by the Electors, and to adopt
rules for their own internal police. Members
are exempted from arrest, except by the House
to which they belong. They cannot be modest
ed for the official expression OF their opinions.
The Legislature is removed al the end OF eve
ry four years. 1t must sit for two months each
year: and the three H uses must meet anc adj
iourr al the same time. Their sessions shall
be public; except when the interests of the
state requires secrecy. An absolute majority,
in each House, shall prevail quorum, in
each, is an half of its members and one.
In the 3D. Sd and 4th parts of the 4th article,
are described the particular functions of each
House.
The House Of Triounes corresponds to ours
Of Representatives. 10 be member, you
must be citizen of 25 years of age 1t mi
tiates all laws concerning the territorial distri-
button of the republic, taxes and expenditures,
the issuing and borrowing Of money, CONNER
ca and internal Improvements, the salaries of
officers, the making of peace and war, allow
ances, treaties and naturalization, according
passage to foreign troops, the support of the
land and naval force, the regulation Of them
and the militia. Members may be reelected
and one half shall vaca:e their seats every two
years.
be a Senator you must be citizen of 35
years of age. The Senate enacts all civil, Grim
inal, commercial and ecclesiastical laws, mi
tiates those relative to the judiciary and the
maintenance of the constitution, dominates TO
the Censors three persons from whom they may
select one for Judge in the Supreme Court,
Or Archbishop or other dignity in the Church,
chooses certain officers ofdepartments from the
three presented by the Electors, regulates pa
tronage, and approves and disapproves the
Pope's bulls. The Senate is elected for eight
years, one half being renewable every four
The members may be reelected
10 be censor, you must be citizen Of 40
years of age. The duty of the House Of Cen
sors is, to see that the laws, treaties and consti-
tuition are fulfilled, to apprize the Senate Of
their iniraction, and to impeach the Vice Pre-
sident and Secretaries Of State. If the Senate
think the accusation well founded, the trial is