Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-04-01


creation by the King vary little from those of our
own Government-the Legislative power being ex-
ercised collectively by the King. the Chamber of
Peers, and the Chamber of Deputies, the latter hav
ing the right to originate all laws laying taxes. The
Chapter of Public Rights of the French" with
which the Constitution opens, and by which the
exercise Of the powers of Government is control
led, contains guarantees fosthe essentials of pot-
cal right and liberty, with the exception perhaps of
the provision against the enactment of sedton laws,
which may well compare with those of the Const-
luton of the United States.
To 90 back to the foundation of this French Con-
stitulon-and to do so more especially because many
OF our readers perhaps the greater part of them
have grown to maturity since that perod-this
the fruit Of an effective revolution begun to resist
unconstitutional ordinances issued by the former
King and his Minister'S sort of Orders in Coun-
Gil such those by which, in this Government, our
President has of late undertaken to exercise power
which our Constitution had withheld from the Pre-
sdent, as, in the referred to, the French Con-
stitution of 1914 had withheld it from the King of
France. In resisting these tyrannical ordinances,
the People OF France, with LAFAYETTE and other
known and respected names at their head, had the
sympathy of the world, and of the United States
most naturally. The order with which, after the
short but decisive conflict under such wise direction,
the Representatives of the People delberated upon
and formed this new Constitution was the admira-
ton Of the world. A well-known and estimable
man, the Duke of ORLEANS, was called, by the title
of Louis PHILIPpE, to the National throne but
il was the name and irresistible influence of LAFAY
ETTE, greatly endeared 10 the people by the honors
paid TO France in his person during his then recent
visit to the United States, which alone reestabsh
ed order, procured the adoption of reformed Con-
stitution Tor Charter)-"a Monarchy with Repub-
lcan Institutions" as it was called-and at the
head of that Government placed Louis PHILIPPE.
In what manner, with what frmness tempered BY
the most conciliatory spirit with what earnest de.
voton to the welfare of the Nation, that Chief Ma
gistrate of France has discharged his public trust
during period of eighteen years, all intelligent
Americans who have resided in France during any
length of time within that period have borne willing
testimony. The uniform tenor TO this effect Of the
Letters of our former Correspondent from Paris
will be remembered by our readers, and might be
quoted at large TO establish the fact, now fippanty
controverted by journalists in this country, who, if
they ever knew, have forgotten all about it. With
equal opportunities of observation to those Of any
man whatever, our late Minister 10 France now
Member of the Senate of the United States, has, in
a volume full Of interest, published whilst he was
still the Representative of the United States at the
Court Of France, borne most clear and convincing
testimony.
That work, bearing the title of !" France, It's King
Court, and Government by an American" which
we we'll remember reading with avidty and keen
interest at the time Of its appearance, is now open
before us, and, but for want of room, many pages
of it might be quoted to show what sort of Gov
eminent it is that our government editor-more of
monarchis and despot in his editorial chair, than
was ever LOUIS PHILIPPE on the throne Of France
is eager 10 overturn. Considering, indeed, what
we have just read in the Senate Report OF what has
been said, and said with exultation too by one of
the Senators most closely allied in political purpose
with Senator CAss himself and with the PRESIDENT,
~ u W CduSt Vi uutl the duulOrlty OF
the latter shall be invoked in our defence of it.
:" hope," said Mr.. ALLEN, in the Senate on Mon
day last, that there will be spirit enough within
the walls of this Capitol to tender the congratula-
tons of Congress, in the name Of the People, to
: their triumphant brethren in France, before we
adjourn. We know what is going on in the world,
and ne cannot aUoid taking sides, at all events by
sympathy and by all the moral influences that we
can bring to bear. We cannot avoid taking sides
with the people OF Europe without beuaying the
great cause Of human liberty" This is said, of
course in reference to the proceedings of the popu-
lace Of Paris, whose " triumph consists as far as
we hare heard, in dsplacng the Representatives OF
the People, and choosing six of themselves as
sort of Political Club TO dictate laws, having no au-
thority whatever but such as force supplies for
moment, with no guaranty against being themselves
overthrown before their power is a week old, and
succeeded by persons possibly of much worse cha
racter. For, what says Mr. CAss himself of that
class Of French patriots that revels in the bare idea
of Revolution After quoting, in reference to the
unsuccessful attempt at revolution in May, 1899,
extracts from books published by the more hardened
and intelligent Of these persons, which show very
satisfactorily that the Revoutonsts Of that day were
erocious and as sanguinary in their temper as in
fdel, demoralizng, and as destructive of social