Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-29
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPOND ENT.

y FL * +. NJ ~
PARIS, JUNE 10, 1850.
The vote of the bill excluding from the elective
franchise between three and four millions of French
citizens was promptly followed by another closely
akin in character and motive. a.
Article eight of the constitution declares that ci
tzens have The right of associating and assembling
together peaceably, and without arms; Of petition
ing, and of making known their opinions by means
Of the press or otherwise. The exercise Of these
rights has no limits but the rights and liberty oil
others and the public security"
In face Of this provision, the Government, by a
law passed last Thursday, is authorized, during ye
another year, to prohibit clubs and all other public
meetings. which, in the opinion of the police, shall
seem of nature TO compromit the public security.
1t required but the sitting to vote urgency by
which the three readings were dispensed with, to
discuss, and pass finally, by vote Of 469 to l9l
bill which renders the right of meeting for politi
cal discussion neither more nor less free in repub-
lican France than in Russia. Among the sup.
porters Of the bill observe the names of nearly all
the moderate Republicans, amis de demonstration.
as they call themselves, viz Gems. Cavaignac, La
moriciere, Gustave de Beaumont &c. Ii it were
possible, in truly republican Government, honestly
administered for political meetings be arbitrarily
and absolutely interdicted, such Introduction would
be expedient here; for the right has been, and
doubtless would again be, used to most ruinous ex-
cess. No republic, no regular Government of any
kind, is possible under the mischevous reign OF
clubs, as they existed here and throughout France
in 1S48, and as they would exist again in two
weeks, if it were permitted to open them. But,
in republic, can law, can constitution author
ize such Introduction without doing violence to
the essential characteristics of republican govern
ment? l think not. Appeal must be made to the
good sense and patriotism of the people, as was
done with us under the administration of WASH
INeToN in the early days of our own republic If
the appeal fail, if the people persist in making a
pernicious abuse of the right of meeting for poll
teal purposes, the republic must perish the people
are unfit for it. republic whose constitution
should give to Government the arbitrary powers
over this mater now exercised in France, would be
republic in name only. But, where the constitu-
ton is consistent and explicit, as here, how must
we qualify mere law which invests the police
with absolute and arbitrary control over the right
of popular meeting. In one word, 1t makes uasur-
rection legal. In the United States it would make
instruction duty, for it would be to re-esablish
a right which the people know how to safely and
discreetly use. Here-and perhaps were l a
French citizen should be of the number-men
who clearly perceive the inconsistency, the uncon-
stutonality of the law, shrug their shoulders and
submit, under the pressure of stern, cruel neces-
sty. They see the anarchical excesses which
would seen inevitably follow the re-opening of the
clubs. To make instruction illegal, to convert
into criminal the conquered insurgent who is
now victim, what is necessary? Change the
form of Government. Adopt one which will per-
nit the imposition Of severer curbs: one more con-
genial than is the republican form to the habits and
character of this people, better suited to the wants
of France, torn as she is by four or five parties
hostile to each other, and necessarily
active seeking to govern by extra-ega and, if ne
cessary, by violent means. The longer this con-
summation is deferred the worse will it be for
France, the more despotic and severer must be the
Government finally adopted ior, by operation Of the epub
c pactsed in France, half the people are becoming des-
peraey exasperated and the other half being sadly de-
moraized. "
But the great absorbing topic present. and for the last
week. has been the bill enormously increasing the salary of
the Presidents upon the pretext of enabling him wohy to
"reresent France, whose Chief Magistrate he is This
bill, which would seem at first money affair." personal
to the President and Of great importance to France, has
become pregnant With political consequences by Of the
naughty andposive of the Ministerial journals and the
epulson which many members of the Right belonging
which would invest with the prestige Of royal civil
list M. Bonapare, the imperiaist preender. Hear the
Constitutional.
The idea has been preached in the committee Of the
Assembly, to refuse the appropriation asked for and subst
ute fixed sum in payment of the supposed debts of the
President We enabled to affirm that this compromise
would not be accepted by the President of the Republic and
we highly approve the resolution in relation it. which the
Chief OF the State has TAKEN In France power which
would permit itself TO be Inundated weaid be
power.'
have sufficiently shown in my letter Of last week. the
character Of the bill in question The committee of the house
which has under considerations hostile to the appropa-
on and report accordingly. Five of its members in
favor OF the BILL seven decidedly opposed and three in favor
Of amendment paying the debts Of NJ BoSArARTE, which
amount bis friends say, at least $780, OO0 In the
position of this committee, 53 members took part Of whom
305 showed themselves opposed to the BILL This would
make its fate before the Assembly when shall come up
discussion, extremely critical.
<"What has the Assembly done " continues the Constitu
tionneL l has appointed committee hostile the pro-
j,c The majority will persist in this FIRST impression.
II it should DO its be too much deplored
Such oppoton would be- we fear not 10 say it, public
calamity yes, public calamity And yet that portion Of
the majority which upon this occasion separating itse
from the Government not believe, acuated by sen
men Of hostility, Of uDkndness The dssenters are
already seeking compromise but this compromise Is, unfo
nnately unacceptable. The President will reject it, Min
listers have declared that he will Mutual dsust and pro-
be the result Of rejection of the bill for act would have