The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-14
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC.

sketch Of the Constitution which the Romans
propose for their Republic, at this time when the
forces of some of the principal powers Of Europe
are attempting to crush their newly formed Govern
ment, and reinstate the Pope in his temporal do
mnion, may not prove embarrassing.
The Constitution commences like all constitutions
nowadays, with statement of fundamental prin-
ciples, (prncipi fundamentally in eight paragraphs
Sovereignty is an eternal right of the people. All
citizens are free and equal. The Roman Republic
honors the merits of selfsacrifce for fatherand and
brotherhood. All citizens must defend with their
lives the Republic and National Independence. The
religion of the State is Catholic, but political rights
are independent of any creed. Whoever ac-
cepts title, honors, or Office, from foreign nation,
loses his rights of citizen. Capital punishment and
confscaton of property is abolished"
The State government is, in few words, the
government of a convention To the Assembly
belongs, in every respect the deciding voice; two
consuls, elected by general suffrage from the Exc
cutive twelve trbunes of the people watch over the
consuls, and the guarantees for the fundamental
laws of the Republic. To be voter, to be elected,
requires 81 years of age, without property quaica-
ton; only the consuls and trbunes Of the people
must have attained to 80 years.
The Assembly can never be dissolved or ad-
journed
Every proposition which receives at its first read
ing majority of wo-thirds is de tacto law. Other
wise every resolution offered which receives but a
simple majority, has to pass through three readings
Should the Assembly, by two-thirds majority,
and in accord with the tribunal, declare the coun-
try danger, then the entire power reverts to this
body. 1t names dictator, who is watched over
by the tribunal, and who loses his post soon as
the country is declared out of danger by the trbu-
nat, which then recalls the Assembly. Should the
tribunal fail to do this, SO comes the Assembly
again together through their own power, expressed
when or wherever it may be by two-thirds Of its
number.
Both consus are appointed by general election;
still each must have received at least l00, 900 votes
otherwise the Assembly elects them by two-thirds
majority. The consuls named for three years
They change with each other from year to year;
for the first year, deciding by lot who shall take
the administration. They again eligible for the
office at the expiration of two years. Both are
mutually responsible
There are no ministers, but the States jurisdic-
ton falls into three sections l. Exterior, Interior,
War, and Marine 2. In Finances, Commerce,
Agriculture, Public Works. And g. Religion, Edu-
cation, Art, Institution for the Poor, and Grace and
Justice.
The consuls name the officers for these sections,
who, however, can only deliberate or decree in con-
nexion with the responsible section of the Council
of State. Theconsuls represent the State ot,oards,
and have the right of pardon. A condemned con-
sui they can, however, pardon; here the assembly
exercises the right. The consus can be put in
accusation upon the proposition Of five deputies, or
of any citizen; but the proposition must have a
majority three successive times in the assembly,
with one days space between each vote. Should
the assembly entertain the putting in accusation of
the consuls, they forthwith suspended from
Office, and the tribunes elect three from their midst
who administer at the execution.
The competent tribunal for msdemeanors Of the
Executive is the so-caled "Tribunale Censorio, y
consisting OF four Judges OF the supreme court and
three of the court of appeals in Rome The trbunes
of the people have the right to lay before the
bly, for a second vote all laws which have not re-
ceived two-thirds' majority. Should it not pass
this time by majority of three-quarters, then for
third reading, when simple majority decide.
The tribunes elected by general vote of the
people, not more in number than twelve or less
than eight and hold their Offices for FIVE years; can
hold other Office, and in their persons invio-
liable. They order new elections when their num-
Der is reduced TO eight The consuls, upon the
expiration Of their terms Of Office, must render an
account to the tribunes, with whom it lays either to
accept their reports have them put in accusation.
The Council Of State consists Of fifteen members,
elected by the assembly upon the proposition Of the
tribunes, is a more permanent, consulting body,
and cannot be displaced
One Of the most singular paragraphs is the 74th,
which reads thus 1.-THE generals will be elected
by the assembly upon proposition of the consus. -
A more democratic Constitution than this cannot
be found. II puts their brethren on this side of the
water completely in the background as regards real
democracy. -