Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30
ADDRESS OF LOUIS NAPoLEAN TO THE PEOPLE
OF FRANCE

/ ADDRESS OF LOUIS NAPOLEAN TO THE PEOPLE
OF FRANCE.
The following address has been issued by Lows
NAPOLEON BoSAPARrE, on the occasion Of the then
approaching election Of 4 President for the French
Republic:
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte 10 his fslloy-citizsns
To recall from exile you have chosen me representative
Of the people On the Of elecng the Chief Magistrate
OF the republic my name placed before you as symbol of
order and security.
This testimony Of confidence, SO honorable Il offered
am aware much to that than to me, who have
as yet done nothing for country but the more the mo
of the Emperor protects and influences your sufses
the more do feel myself bound explain you my SEMI
msns and principles Between you and me there mus, e
am not an ambitious man who dreams now Of empire
and OF wa, now Of the application Of subversiye theories
Educated In free eoansre, IA the school Of misfortune shalt
remain faithful the duties imposed on me by your su
fages, and ~ lhs ylll u the Assembly
IL wen sl9m fwadeni, ! would not shrink from any
danger from ~ ssedcs, 70 defend society, audaciousy
reserve. 10 the consolidation Of republic wise by laws
honorable by s Intentions great and strong by its actions
would make point Of honor leave to my successor
at the end Of three years. power consolidated liberty untouch
ed, and real progress accomplished.
Whatever be the result Of the election shall bow be-
fore the will Of the people and my obtained
in advance tor whatever just and firm Government shall re-
establish order In the public ind as well as in public affairs
eternal bases of every social shall bring about reforms
where they possible shall calm anmosties reconcile par
ties and thus permit troubled country calculate on
morrow.
To reestabh order is to bring confidence TO provide
BY credit for the temporary nsucency Of resources
store the finances.
To protect religion and private life is to ensure liberty of
worship and liberty of education.
10 protect property is to maintain the invioably of the
produce of all kinds of abo it is guaranty the indepen-
dence and the security Of indispensable oun-
dalton Of civil liberty.
As to practicable reforms the following are those which
appear to me the most urgent
To allow every economy which, without Disappointing
the public service. may permit dimnuon Of the mposts
that are most budensome to the people, To encourage
terprse which, by developing the Of agriculture
may both in France and in Algeria, afford labor
pied hands, to provide for the old age of laboers by pov
dent instituions to introduce into industrial laws anne
oraons which may tend, ruin the rich for the benefit
OF the poor but to found the webeng of each the pros
pery of all.
To restrain within just limits the number Of employ
ments that depend the Government which often makes
a free nation OF applicants.
To avoid that disastrous tendency which leads the State
Of itself what individuals can do as WELL and bet
ter than it. The Capitalization of interests and Of enterprise
belongs to the nature of desposmthe nature of republic
repels monopoly.
In word, preserve the liberty Of the press from the
two extremes which always compromise 1.-THE arbitrary and
The licentious.
With war there is no relief for our evils Peace shs
therefore, be the dearest of my wishes France her first
voution was wake, because she compelled be so.
Invasion she by conquest Now that she assaed
she may consecrate her to pacific ameorsions
without at the time abandoning policy and
lutte. great naien should either be silent never speak
in vain
To have regard to the national dignity we must not ne
gc the army the noble and dsnteresed patriotism Of which
has often been misunderstood At the time that we
maintain the fundamental laws which constitute the strength
Of our military organization, must tighten, and agga
vae the burden Of CONSUMPTION We watch the
and the future not only of the officers but also Of the
uboce and soldiers and provide subsistence for the
men who have long served under colors.
The republic ought to be generous, and have faith the
future hence who have myself been familiar with exile
md captivity, anxiousy desire the day when magma
aimous pardon may without danger put end all poscr
IONS and oblerate the last traces ofour civil disccrds.
Such, my dear fellowcitzens the ideas that would
carry with to the exercise Of power you should call
% the Presidency Of the Republic.
The task is difficult, the mission is immense know il;
put should not despair TO accomplish it by taking the
work. without distinction OF party, whom public opinion
md their elevated intelligence and probiy would
mend.
Besides for whoever has the honor be at the head of
he French people, there is nfallble method of doing
to viii H.
Paris, Noreaaber 81, ls4s.