Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-09-19
Gbs Constitutional ee1Dlg.
TIE NEW PORTUGUESE CONSTITUTION,

TIE NEW PoRTUGUESEC CONSTITUTION.
| an, FROM ne LiverPOOl .4dreriiSer Of .4,tgusi /.
40 those who believe that the PRINCIPLES of Iert-
macy as 'hey are called, calculated TO add to the
happiness oil Inanfnd, the condition of Sran and Por
.us'i presents lesson OF the instructive nature
iney may there sec owing 10 the prevalence of those
principles, two of the fertile countries OF Europe
lying waste aud uncutivated; thiniy inhabited by a
peoPle sunk IN ignorance, superstition, poverty and
slavery auo presenting easy conquest TO evcIv for
egh power that thinks them worth INVADING r, rer
sing The history of these countries they NAV learn
mat aolec as they now they were once among
.he most powerlo nations of Europe, and that tIey
have "iaen from their high estate moi bv ox
'erhai violence Or by internal conuotion but by l,,
SLOW, ietifgic and lnglorous influence of n paernaI
ana Legitimate" government Yet there were those
even IN tbs country who in their of al innova
''on thought That any change this state of ti,,uns
must DC Tor lie worse who joined III vifyine those
ofa'e men who attempted 10 their country f:om
degradation and savery-and who rejoicci when the
deSpos OF the continent had succeeded in extnnnisb
'ns' by brute force, every spark Of freedom, in the Pc
''is",'' L ''"se men every appearance of freedom
must be a source of regret, and every atemp Ia es
tabiish 1t an object of condemnation They viII tor
ioc hear with sorrow aud Indignation that i)oS Pr
DRo Emperor OF Brazil, in abdcating the throne of
Portugal, has presented the inhabitants of that conn
Try Wl'h d constitution II appears from the details
That 1t is well adapted 10 hc wants of the people and
gncntil HAT vii! ada 10 their happiness 1t is
Sau that !"e s"rin%usc are indebted in great de-
gree to the English Ministers particularly TO MIR
CANNIHG, for ti.5 Invaluable gift If this is the case
Is highly honorable 10 them. BY this act of liberal
NY aRd wisdom, tl!ey will in great measure counter
act the injury sustained by this country f,om the ;,y.
sion Gf spain by France, and the counter revoirtior
InIor'nga'. They will strengthen the friendship be-
'"een 'e Latter country ana England aud W i'll render
The Portuguese valuable friends Tn time of ro,o
anu more useful allies iii The benefits which
Portuga! will derive ttom this constitution rnrs, no
quite ihes'fnaoic Under the protection of lust and
wise laws; agriculture and commerce will reyve lilo
great caaf!'es o. the country will be called into c>
ercise; property will attain the necessary securitv us
uce VIII be promptly administered the spirit of favour
itism anu partially will cease become inuoxous;
and Use national character will rise from its denrada
t!oa Nor will The effects be confined TO Porn,go a.
lone no sanitory Gordon will be sufficient TO protect
Spain from Tie neral cOntagion Portugal will serve
! as constant n"mantu TO remind the Standards of
,nelr own degradation as constant stimulus TO rouse
them from IT The struggle bet.sc freedom and sa-
very las begun God deicad The RIGHT"
The Portuguese Chatter VS. published length
the Paris papers 1t Is divided eight titles. , consists
OF Ids articles that 10 Brazil had 1870. The first treats
OF MS territory government, dynasty religion.
!c Roman Catholic is only religion reniltel in b
c' D ~! diners VII be tolerated, and all persecution
'niccd The second title establishes the RIGHTS of CHI,
en Who are a.! considered equal in the eve Of the Law
"'" 'cy mast all without exceptions contribute the ey
penSes aud defence the Yhov are al liberty ~
publish their opinions, subject the PENAL laws TIE
third mentions the powers OF The national rcrrcsonta
om-the executive lrgiSlativc judicial ai,
he executive is cohdcd by King TO a responsible
minister. The legislative with ile tN q
one OF which elective and the other hereditary its ,cn
ue'S unlimited. Citizens name eieciorsand these nrpu-
iGs to the Chamber al Deputies Those persons who be-
i'ns 1" any religions orders shall have vote The
noderative power Is inherent in the King. The fourth ii
tie relates to The attributes modes OF proceeding in both
Chambers The opening Of the Session FOR the 2nd
"i January The privileges of the Peers somewhat csci
ole those q" our House of Lords, particularly their pow
erS OF being judges of impeachmems The Drpulics arc
obviously modelled from House of Commons They
nave adopted however, custom which rave given up
the Deputies to be paid their attendance and ,
helf travelling expenses. The fifth title, respecting the
m"ierdive and executive powers is te as the rcg
aois uher The same head IN the Brazilian Constitutions
except that the Cortes General to be cuuvoked on .
"a OF May IN the fourth Of the existing legislation in
Portugal! instead Of the Sd juno in the third wear as in
Brazil The sixth treats of the Judicial power. The svs
tenn of Ju'es is formally adopted and Judges are wondered
ifremoyabic at the viii of the Crown. Tic seventh title
concerns The administration of the PROVINCES
on tine civil and political privileges of the Portuguese