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

mean to 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 ii.
| Ii we remember the circumstances under
which this law was presented, we shall NOT, ] be-
lieve, refuse to avow that it was political act
rather than an electoral law, that it was really
and fully measure of public benefit. When
ever the majority shall propose to me energetic
measures for The safety of the country, 1T may
rely on my loyal Ind disinterested support But
the best of measures for the public welfare have
but limited time
The law of the 3lst of May has, in its appl-
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-
cluslon 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the appearance of right withdrawn and to be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 favo: of the general emotion and the de-
cline of the powers of the State, to kindle in
several points of France at once troubles,
whic would be quelled, no doubt, but which
would throw US into fresh complications
Independently of these dangers, the law of
the 3lst of May, presents 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 an assembly, it
is still more so in the case of nominating
President; for though residence of three years
in commune, may have appeared guarantee of
discernment imposed on electors in the knowl.
edge OF those who are to represent them, so
! 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
a President by the people, at least 2 100000 of
suffrages, 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,tifth was sufficient to render the cleo
| ton valid. -.
| AT the present time, the number Of electors
being reduced to 100000, to require 100000
to .lnvert the proportion,-that ia to say, it is
to demand almost one-third, instead of one
fifth, and thus in a certain eventuaity to take
the election out of the hands of the people, to
give it to the assembly 1t is, therefore, positive
v changing the condition of illegibility of the
President of the republic. .."I ..
Lastly, | call your particular attention to
another reason, which, perhaps, may prove de-
cisive. .-.. ..
The 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, (which is the work of an assembly
taking its raise in universal suffrage cannot be
modified by an assembly issuing from restrict
ed suffrage" Whether or not this be real nc
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 immutabe consti-
tution,-beloved universal suffrage re.estab-
shed 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!
~ 10 pNyCStcu, uul aware, on paib
these proposals inspired by personal interest.
My conduct for the last three years ought to re-
pei such allegation. The welfare Of the
country, repeat, will always be the sole moving
spring of my conduct. believe il nv duty 10
propose every means Of Cancellation, and To use
every effort 10 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
egostical calculation. sudden resolution;
| 1T is the result Of serious meditation and OF n
profound conviction. ] do not pretend that this
measure will blnish all the difficulties Of the
situation But 10 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 its repose. IL will be 10 give
back in future 10 the powers Of the State that
moral force which can only exist so long as it
reposes on a consecrated principle and an incon-
testible authority. Receive, gentlemen, the as
surance Of my high esteem,
LOUIS NAPOLEAN BONAPARTE.
ELYsEE National, Nov 4.
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 re establishing The electoral law Of the
18th March, lS49. In virtue Of the new law,
all citizens 81 years Of age, ard having resided
six months in the commune, are declared elcc-
tors. He demanded declaration Of urgency
for this law. After brief debate, the vote was
taken ard lost.
- AN important descsion has been lately
made by the highest court of judicature 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