Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-08-02
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.

PARIS, July 10, 1851.
DE TocouRvILLE's anxiously -looked-for report
upon the revision of the constitution was read
in the Assembly day before yesterday, and given
to the public yesterday II is the able, concilia-
tory, patriotic and statesmanlike document which
you would expect from the distinguished author
of Democracy IN .anericn. He sketches with
master-hand the numerous perils which en-
viron France. Read his report, which is drawn
up in the calm, earnest, but passoness language OF
deep and sad conviction, and you will rise from
the perusal particularly if you have attended suf
ciently to the march of events here, to know, as
do, that his narrative is only too true, with the be-
lief forced upon you that France is approaching,
and under circumstances that almost preclude hope,
one of the most critical passages of her national
existence. Revision he admits, is full of danger
but he contends that it is less dangerous than the
sfatu quo. He apprehends, as one Of the chief
dangers of refusal to revise regularly, unconst-
tutional candidacy and nomination Of M. BoNAPARTE;
not from any general enthusiasm for him personal
y, but from the pressure Of the administration he being in
power and holding in his grasp the thousand strings Of
cuve influence from the ignorance Of the Masses
ghened and unused to the exercise of the rights of citizens
of any other name Of other than him with whom
they have been, were in contact for the last three
such election he argues would be the total overthrow Of
the constitution, the loss liberty, and invitation to des
posm He concludes in favor Of revision the least of the
dangers praying the Assembly in the Of the committee
adopt the following resolution Taking into considera
lion article IL Of the constitution, the Assembly decides
that the constitution shall be totally revised The debate
in the Assembly will commence next Monday. The fol-
lowing concluding remarks recommending. whether the
luton pass not that the Assembly respect the constitution,
and il be strictly respected by all and upon oil
sons comprise the interesting and important portion Of
the report
One point however, for which the committee has been
unanimous is this r. in spite Of all the efforts sincerely
made understanding, by making mutual sacri
fees compatible with the sincerity o opinions and their dig
nity the present attempt should fail # there should not DO
found the Assembly the number Of votes required for the
legal revision to take place it, in word the constitution
continues to exist s ought to be invariably and uni
versaly obeyed On this point the committee divided
many Others found itself unanimous; and convinced
that the same unsnmy will be evnced by the Assembly.
Every ought comprehend that legal attempt made
reform constitution gives to this latter, should It fall
conservation As long it could be legally thought that the
constitution be revised any could have thought Of
char gDg H. or Of preparing do what II did yet
permit But from the that such hope longer
admissible there only remains submit to its prescriptions
and to obey them For the constitutions have already
sad is the only legality, the only political right which we
recognise present In France and out Of its pale there Is
nothing but adventurous acts revolutions.
ssThe firm will OF the National Assembly ought conse.
queny be, only itself respect the constitution but
to watch carefully that a others do likewise Il IL In or
express this dea and give you an occasion
associate in IT, that your committee proposes you to intro
uce into the resolution which submts TO YOU the text of
article IL of,he constitution in order 10 cause 10 be
dersood that is only in virtue Of the constitution and
view the conditions which has itself laid down. that
conceive that II ought be revised We reckon seeing
the Administration, and indeed every ons confofm to this