Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-07

preventative governments Is, that eiizen' sha"
be subjected only 10 laws and contributions a
greed 10 by them or their representatives: IN
deed the uame Of representative government
can only be applied in proportion as this na'Ion
al righl is exercised. This truth Was acknowi'
edged in the first and the most solemn OF our
national assemblies. Ii would be inJudlclous 10
confound the doctrines Of representation win
our political tempesls, for we see them elsewhere
in practice, to the great benefit OF liberty anu
prosperity, the public and private Tranquility OF
The cast and happy country 0here ihey are
the most completely established. different
movements.)
The French represcntation, unfortunately Vi
olated in different cases, was entirely destroyed
OILY by the fanlasIical constitution OF The year
8, and by the party which knew how TO produce
from il the powerful genius OF absolutism. On
der the imperial system, France was, IN TINS
respect, reduced to a staIe Of civil degradation,
not to say sufficiently injured by an extension OF
her fame-the brilliant extension OF The glory
Of The eight preceding years. Gentlemen, 'he
chief glory, the true honor OF nation, Is hoer'
", (lively appreciation on the lett, low murnurs
on the right we begin TO be relieved from Inc
state Of political death by The dispositions ol
the Charter, the royal pledge Of restoraIions -
After these dispositions, gentlemen, seventy
thousand electors, exercising with perfect e.
quality of rights the elective franchise, as the
ministry before the last, bel ieve have dou>
bic right as legislator ard citizen TO say; have
not. against the spirit Of The charter, and in
my opinion contrary to the simplest rules oil
reason, introduced the article vulgarly cal led
the double vote, by which the fou't' part oil the
electors. have the additional privilege Of voting
=, ~ h, ,l,,.r hat lnr
the only branch Of the legislative power which
is no, hereditary.
1t is that, gentlemen, which or constitution
al politicians call the democratic par: oil our re-
preventative government, and that which, 10
the Others, is but the excess Of an nloIerable de-
magogy.
Whether it is, gentlemen, as you have heard
from our honorable colleague, the first speaker,
that il is the tendency Of tue public spirit, TO
Weld TO the voice o! counter resolution and OBJ
scurGntsm, The last ministry found themselves
obliged 80 employ the means OF violence fraud
which you have Justly stiema'ized by The name
Of dcplorable system, lSoice Oh the lett, very
goodD 1t is 10 prevent the return Of this sys-
tenn that the present ministry PROPOSES the pro-
iect Of q law, Of which have no doubt OF The
good faith, but which can say with candor, I'M
der the presen, orsanz alton Of The administra-
ton, ii is difficult TO carry into execution.
In effect, Gentlemen, in surveying this HE
rarchy, cunningly organized by the imperial u
surya,ion on ,he rights Of the French people,
relgiously maintained unit the present time
by the restoration, it is IN vain that we seek
for par,icl. o! independence. (Murmurs on
the right, counicrbalanced by marks Of appro-
baton on the ltf;.)
Projects, sub projects, councils Of prefecture,
OF communes, OF circles, Of departm -uts, may
ors assessors Of contributions, even justices OF
the peace, all are The creatures Of power, reyo-
cable a, will. Let US proceed TO vote the law
which the principle Of election, reclaimed on
al, parts, has rendered the life Of the admins
trations, communal, departmental, and the ma
gistra,.s; bat has reduced TO just bounds the
exorbiu.nt powers of these prefects, of whom
the name itself had been dug from the rains of
the falirn empire? No, without doub; bat it is
the means Of execution which we can vote on
the sui ct.
] proceed To speak Of some Of them.
Without arguing with Mons the reporter on
the primitive aud integral propriety Of :he le
gislative power, and on The great latitude allow
ed, according TO him, 10 citizens exercising
this power, agree with the honorable opin-
ions previous, which reclaim the pGnalty, coz
dtion necessary 10 all law; | would have the
accusation carried before 4 jury; ask, above
all, that they should not want the authorization
OF state counsel. Alresdy it has been recog>
Missed in all parts of this chamber, and on the
bench OF ministers, that The privilege Of coun-
sci of state had wan'cd great changes; ALREADY
the exception exists of pecuniary exlorlion,
and why should II not exist, when the business
is 10 name the d.pu'y WHO is by his vote
to decide on the receipts aud expenses Of all
France?
The discourse Of my honorable colleagues has
left me very few observations TO make; but l
will remark, in passing, ihat the privilege Civ.
en- 10 councils Of prefecture, having Tor It's OBJ,
'Jec, the obtaining OF iurther guarantee, will
have, in their present composition, and in their
judgements with closed doors, the mischievous
effec, of mini,hing, without great advantages
the responsibility of the projects.
One Of tie faults Of our electoral system il in
the manner in which The contributions can be
divided. Gentlemen, if they representa- you
thai In fixing the electoral quil-reni at three
hu n1rpI {, IF ihut fbo Il