Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-07

W, ny consequence the frcSl0ent Oh the
Republic must be their slave, and is
completely in their power. While,
therefore, the decree passed by the Ma
tional Assembly by large majority, it
met with formidable opposition. Count
Mole, who makes so distinguished a
figure in French politics, but who has
recently occupied the tribune very rare
ly, contended against the early election
Of the President with all his eIoquence.
1t was apparent that Count Mole did
not contend against the Government on
this subject from any factious opposition,
but he felt the step proposed to be taken
was fraught with miscbievous consequent
COS. The objections urged by Count
Mole were that as yet the constitution
had not been adopted, the organic laws
had not been framed, and the National
Assembly--the revolutionary Assembly,
invested by the people with their author
ity, the body in which the supreme, IT.
resistible, absolute, uncontrolled author
ty, the jura SUNNI imperii rcsidc-still
exercised these mighty functions.
The President elected in this state of
things must either be man of straw, or
endless and dangerous conflicts between
him and the National Assembly would
be continually waged. They would
elect President of the French Repub-
lie which has certain specified powers
conferred upon him by the Constitution
framed by your hands, and yet you will
not let him exercise them. The advo-
Gates of this decree contend that the
appointment Of President is necessary
at this juncture 10 beget confidence a.
mong the people-that the country ar
IDENTITY desires to see the government
well organized, that the rights of all
may be guaranteed, that no doubt may
cloud the morrow, and that the cloud
which overhangs the future may be re-
moved. But will this he done Can
this wished for result be achieved by pre-
senting 10 the people Il President with
mutilated powers-the Assembly which
made him being yet inexstence, and as
capable Of dealing destruction as of CIV
t ing life {? Do you believe this hermaph-
l rodite state of affairs can bcget conf
: dence? 1t never can. We should re-
3 main as we are now, in that state Of
government which always follows a rev.
olution, and is antecedent of constitu-
tional government.
The Executive Department is well
t enough organized for the PRESENT.
, carries on the government, and has no
conflict of jurisdiction with the National
Assembly. Remain, therefore, tranquil.
DO not hazard dangers where no good
is to be won. These objections as urg-
: ed by Count Mole produced n visible
effect in the Chamber, and inclined ma
A ny of the wavering TO take his view OF
S the question, and consent to postpone
: it. Indeed, SO great was the effect of
: this speech, that many have asserted the
question would have been decided Il.
gainst The election in December, if it had
, been taken alter this speech. But Gen
+ Cavaignac mounted the tribune, and
h his plain, honest manner, and emphatic
+ assertions turned the scales. He said
! he came to the tribune TO press the
t measure which the Committee on the
Il constitution had brought in; it was a
u question which the Ministers deemed oil
= the highest Importance 10 the welfare Of
. the country, and the Ministry were &C.
. tuatcd by true love of the country, by
!. sincere and unaffected wish for the
o success of the Republic.
g He would not, he continued, answer
: the arguments which had been address
ed to the Chamber from the tribune
indeed, he would say, that no serious
argument had been addressed to them
e In the course of this discussion, one
n thing had surprised him, and it was thai
= the true arguments against the decree,
e the arguments which were presented tc
:. the thoughts of every one-which were
e in all mouths out of the tribune-had
Il not been addressed to the Chamber. II
e they had been urged, he would have re.
n piled to them. He would instantly have
/ opposed them. He said our position il
: singular one. When we were called
j. upon to deposit our votes, and decide ir
IS favor of the various modes proposed fol
2 the election OF a President, it was not
: said TO us-who kept slent-but what
J. was said to those who supported oul
IS opinion in favor of elecling the President
;, by the National Assembly? You are
e afraid of the country, you dare not ap
If peal to her, you dare not face her, yo,
n decline her judgment" The time,
1 little sooner or little later, always ar
l. rves, which does justice to conscientious
e opinions. We have not sought this de-
+ bate,-it has come of itself-but it at
s. fords us an occasion to make this remark
> that we do, under the weight of Sc
,r Gus responsiblity--of a responsibility
+ which | must needs call awful, we dc
IF demand from you that you Immediately
y, appeal to the country-we demand tina
h she may utter her voice, and we lrankl,
: own to you, we do not fear her decision
t. no, nor her judgment, let it be what j
IN may. repeat, the time always arrives
J. little sooner or little later, which