The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-26


points. and especially in Spain, negotiations are sun
pending and likely TO lead 10 some good end,
The reeamailons which large number OF FRENCH
merchants and shpowners have bring against lhe gov
OF The United States, IN consequence on various
arbitrary seizures by the California custom house are
not YET either hqaidated 0. paid bul me american
gress and the cabinet Washington have formally re-
cognised their justice, and we shall soon OBTAIN ieeu
mate satisfaction.
You have Just heard faithful exposition OF the sitas
lion OF the country As to the past, offers Satisfactory
results nevertheless, state OF general uneasness tends
increase daily Everywhere labor grows SLACK pow
ey augments, interests alarmed and anti social ex-
pecdlons swell high proportion the eneebled pow
eTs of the State approach their term.
In such state OF things the first care OF the govern
ment must be TO seek out the OF avoiding the dan
gers which threaten, and nsurng the best chances oil
safety. Already, IN my las, message, my words on this
SUBJECT remember il with pride-were favorably re-
ceived by the Assembly said TO you:
prehensions while il awakens many hopes Let us all
be prepared TO sacrifice these hopes TO country and
lei give heed TO It's interests alone II during this SEES
sion you vote for the revision OF the constitutions our
constituent assembly will remodel our fundamental laws
and fix the destiny Of the executive power II you dol
not vote it, the people OF 1852 will solemny manifest the
expression OF its will anew. Whatever may be the So
luton OF the future, let understand each other,
der that may never be passion, SURPRISE or vioence
which shall decide the fate OF agreat nation"
To-day the questions the same, and my duty not
altered II is nhexbly TO maintain order it is to Danish
all causes OF agitation in order that The resolutions which
adopted without contest. These resolutions can ema-
only from decisive act OF the national sovereignty,
since they are all based on the popular election Well
now have asked OF myself whether, in the presence Of
the division Of passions OF the confusion OF doctrines OF
the division of parties when all combine 10 attack the
morals, The justice, the authority OF the nation we
ought to stand by and leave shaken and incomplete the
only principle which, the midst of the general chaos,
Providence uphoIds for us to gather round H.
Since universal suffrage again raised the social fabric
by substituting right for Revolutionary fact is wise
in us TO continue narrowing its basis And, lastly,
have asked myself it, when new powers shall preside
first compromise their stability. il we left pretext for
questioning their orEnor for msrepresenng their egt
imaey.
single instant from the policy OF order which
have always followed ont have been obliged in many
my confidence and respect in order to choose another
which, equally composed Of honorable men, and whose
conservative sentiments are publicly known, con-
tented TO admit the necessity OF reestabshng universal
suffrage on the broadcast possible basis
You will therefore have presented to you the diaught
OF law which restores the principle in all its fullness,
which wnnows universal suffrage from impure elements
and which makes its application moral and regular
The project has consequently no features which can
to ask day for the withdrawal of the law OF the 3l,t
OF May, do not TO deny the appreciation which
paid al that time to the cabinet, which claimed from the
chiet OF the majority whose work this law was the honor
of presenting IT,
Ii we remember the circumstances under which this
law was pesened we shall not, believe, refuse 10 avow
that apoitical rather than electoral awihat
really and fally measure OF public benefit When
the majority shall propose to me energetic mea
for the safety of the country it may rely my loyal and
disnteresed support But the beat OF for the
public welfare have but limited time
The law OF the 3lsi OF May has, in its application,
even beyond the object intended to be attained No
oresaw the suppression OF 100000 electors, two
thirds OF whom peaceful inhabitants OF the country
What has been the resuIt' Why that this immense
exclusion has served pre,ext the anarchist party.
i'm hRne
OF right Withdrawn and to be reconquered. Too
weak numbers to take possession of society by their
votes they hope under favor OF the general emotion and
the decline OF the powers OF the State kinde in seye
raj points OF France at troubles, which would be
quelled doubt, but which would throw into fresh
complications independently OF these dangers, the law
Of the 3st Of May presents. electoral law grave
inconvenience. have never ceased TO believe That
day would come when il would be my duty propose its
repeal Defective when applied 10 the election OF As
sembly, II IS still the OF nominating Pres
dent; for though residence Of three years in CON-
mane may have appeared guarantee Of dscernment I'M
posed on electors in the knowledge OF those who to
represent them, so long term at residence cannot be
considered necessary for the appreciation of the candidate
destined to the government OF France:
Another serious objection thisthe constitution re-
ques for the validity OF the election OF President by the
people at least 2oooo00 Of surages and il this number
Assembly. The Constituent Assembly had therefore de-
cded that out al 10 100000 voters inscribed on The lists
one. fifth was sufficient 10 render the election valid
AT the present time The number OF electors being re-
duced 100000, to require 900 is 10 invert the
pppornn; that is to say, is TO demand almost one
third, instead OF fifth and thus in certain eyentu-
ALLY TO take the election out OF the hands OF the people
to give IT 10 the Assembly II is therefore positively
changing the conditions OF eligibility OF The Pesden, OF
the republic.
Lastly, call your particular attention TO another rea-
son, which, perhaps, may prove decisive.
The re establishment OF universal suffrage on prin-
cipai basis furnishes additional chance Of obtaining
Tue revision OF the constitution You have forgot
ten why the adversaes OF this revision refused last ses
sion 10 vote Tor IT, They urged this argument which
they knew how 10 render specous The constitution
sad they, which is the work OF Assembly taking its
rise IN universal suffrage, cannni be modified by an As
semoy issuing from restricted suffrage. Whether or
moi THIS De real motive, pIerxt only, il is expe-
dent TO sci II aside and 10 be able say those who
would bind the country down TO an immuabe oonsti,u.
ion; Beloved universal suffrage established the ma
on'y OF the Assembly supported by two millions Of pc
oners by the greater number Of the councils OF arron-
basement, and almost unanimously by the councils gen
era, demands the revision OF the fulamenal compact
the popular will The question, therefore, may be thus
stated 10 all who desire pacific solution TO the Difficult
ties OF the day
The law OF the sls OF May has lis imperfocons but
even were Il perfect, should not nevertheless, be
pealet, II 1t ia 10 the revision of the
the manifested wish OF the country
Ii rs objected, am aware, that my part these promo
sails are inspired by personal interest Ny conduct for
the last three years ought to repe such aeg alton
me welfare OF the country, repeat will always be the
sole moving spring oil my conduct. believe il my duty
to propose every means of Cancellation, and use every
effort TO bring about pacific regular and legal soln,ic
whatever may be its issue.
Thus then, gentlemen. the PROPOSAL make N van !.
neither OF