The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-22

mean 10 deny the appreciation which paid al
that time to the cabinet which claimed from the
chief OF the majority whose work this law has the
honor Of presenting H.
III We remember the circumstances under
which this law was presented, We shall NOT, be-
heve, refuse To avow that it was political act
rather than an electoral law, that il was really
and fully measure of public benefit. When
ever the majority shall propose to me energetic
measures for the safety of the country, it may
rely on my loyal and disinlerested support But
The best OF measures for the public welfare have
but limited time
The law of the 3lst of May has, in its sppli-
cation, even gone beyond the object intented TO
be obtained No one foresaw the suppression
of 100000 of electors, two thirds of whom are
peaceful inhabitants of the country. What has
been the result! Why, that this immense ex-
cusion has served as pretext to the anarchist
party, who cloak their detestable designs beneath
the appearance Of right Withdrawn and to be
reconquered. Too weak in numbers TO take
possession of society by their votes, they hope,
under favos of the general emotion and the de-
cline of the powers of the State, TO kindle in
several points of France at once troubles,
whicl would be queled, no doubt, but which
would throw us into fresh complications.
Independently OF these dangers, the law Of
the 3lst OF May, presents as an electoral law,
grave inconvenience. | have never ceased to
believe that day would come when it would
be my duty to propose its repeal. Defective
when applied to the election of nm assembly, it
is still more so in the case of nominating q
President for though residence Of three years
in commune, may have appeared guarantee Of
dlscernment imposed electors in the knowl.
edge OF those who are to represent them, 80
long term OF residence cannot be considered
necessary for the appreciation OF the candidate
destined to the government of France.
Another serious objection is this--the consti-
tuition requires for the validity of the election of
President by the people, at least 100000 of
sufrages, and if this number is not collected the
right Of election is conferred on the assembly.
The constituent assembly had therefore decided
that, out of 100000 voters inscribed on the
lists, one fifth was sufficient to render the cleo
ton valid
At the present time, the number of electors
being reduced to 100000, to require 100000
to invert the proportion,--that is to say, it is
to demand almost one third instead of one
fifth, and thus in a certain evenuaity to take
the election out Of the hands of the people, to
give it to the assembly 1t is, therefore, positive
~ changing the condition of illegibility of the
President of the republic.
Lastly, call your particular attention to
another reason, which, perhaps, may prove de-
cisive.
Ghe re-establishment of universal suffrage on
its principal basis, furnishes an additional chance
of obtaining the revision of the constitution
You have not forgotten why the adversaries of
this revision refused last session to vote for it.
They urged this argument, which they knew
how to render specious: "The constitution"
said they, switch is the work Of an assembly
l.,lr, ,t1 L
modified by an assembly issuing from restrict
ed suffrage" Whether or not this be real mo-
tive or pretext only, it is expedent to set it
aside and to be able to say to these who would
bind the country down to an immutable consti-
tution,-beloved universal suffrage re estab-
lished, the majority of the assembly supported
by 100000 of petitioners, by the greater num-
Der of the councils Of ACCOMPLISHMENT, and al
most unanimously by the councils general, de-
mands the revision of the fundamental compact.
Have you less confidence than we in the express
sion of the popular will! The question, there
fore, may be here stated to all who desire pa
cifc solution to the difficulties of the day:
The law of the 3lst of May has its imperfec-
tons, but even Were it perfect, should it not
nevertheless, be repealed if it is to prevent the
revision of the constitution the manifested wish
Of the country?
these proposals inspired by personal interest
My conduct for the last three years ought to re-
pei such an allegation. The welfare of the
country, repeat, will always be the sole moving
spring of my conduct. | believe it my duty to
propose every means of Cancellation. and to use
every effort to bring about pacific, regular,
and legal solution, whatever may be the ISSUE
Thus then, gentlemen, the proposal make to
you Is neither piece of party tactics, nor an
egoisteal calculation, nor a sudden resolution:
it is the result of serious meditation and of a
profound conviction. / do not pretend that this
measure will Danish all the difficulties of the
situation But to each day its appointed task.
To-day to establish universal suffrage is to
deprive civil war of its ensign, the opposition of
its last argument. Ii will be to furnish France
with the possibility of giving itself institutions
which may insure it's repose 1t will be TO give
back in future TO the powers of the State that
moral force which can only exist so long as it
reposes on consecrated principle and an incon-
testbe authority. Receive, gentlemen, the as
surance of my high esteem.
LOUIS NAPOLEAN BONAPARTE.
ELYsEE NATIONAL, Nov A.
After the message had been read the minister
presented the draft of law proposing the COM
plete abrogation of the law of the 3lst May,
1850, and establishing the electoral law of the
10Th March, lS49 In virtue of the new law,
all citizens q years of age, and having resided
SIX months IN the commune, are declared elcc-
tors. He demanded a declaration of urgency
for this law. After brief debate, the vote was
taken and lost.
~ An important descision has been lately
made by the highest court of judcature in the
province of Panama, of which. the Star gives
the following sketch =
The point of law reserved for the decision of
the supreme court was, whether an American
citizen possessed the power to prosecute the
defendant through his agent that agent being
a foreign resident and not a native of the prov
lnce. The merits OF the case were not decided.
Judge Arosemena gave it as his opinion that an.
American citizen, and consequently other for