The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-08

constitution of France recently promulgated by the
Prince President, Louis Napoleon. The accom-
pSDyipg commentary Of the Paris correspondent
Of the Lo~don Chronicle, sTords . fair view OF
its practical operation.
To the intelligent, free, and sovereign people Of
these United States who really the sovereign |
authority over all the functions and hlnctionaries OF
government, and who, in their elections, actually
exercise their full authorisy-this French constitu-
tion win appear the undsgused proclamation Of an
absolute despotgm. The powers Of the President
are practically, the powers Of the Emperor Nicho.
las. The President Of France is the absolute Die
tstor Of France. He is invested, by his constitu
ticB, with the imperial powers Of Napoleon, when
France contendisg for her existence among the
nations Of Europe, and the absolute dictatorship
was the plea OF necessity. Louis Napoleon, as
President, commands the army, the navy, the
church, and the State all the officials Of tho go
vefnment, the liberties Of the press, the action of
the legislature, the appointment Gifts members, the
liberties ef the people, and the line Of succession IN
the supreme authority
The organization Of the legislative department
affords, perhaps, the most striking illustration of
the despoc character of the entire structure Of the
rev government. The Legislative bsdy, SO called,
or the House Of Representatives, is TO be elected
by the people. But it's powers are equal to the
salary Of the members, which is nothing at ell.
The Senate, excepting the marshals, archnishops,
and admirals, about dozen in all, are appointed
by the President, and the members hold their terms
for life. The Council Of State, appointed by the
President, originates all laws and submits them to
the legislative body. If the committee Of the body
to which any bill may be referred, should pTopose
to amend it, their amendment must be submitted,
before it is debated to the Presidents Council who
may reject or accepr it, After the popular branch
shall have passed bill, it may be rejected by the
Senate but after its approval by both houses,
even if unanimously approved, the Presiden. may
reject it. The sessions of the Senate in secret
and the Legislative body may be closed TO the public
upon the demand Of any FIVE members The pro-
ceedngs Of the legislative body to be published
under the revision of the presiding officer, who is
appointed by the President. Such is the organi2a
tion, and such the powers Of the legislative body.
The President dictates to one branch Of the Lsgis
lainIe, appoints the other, and controls both
Judging, then, the new constitution of France
by the constitution of the United States, the
former is the charter Of unmitig ed daspotism
and the French Republic Of today is the old
French Consulate ard Empire of fifty years ago
Louis Napoleon appeals to the glory and prospect,
Of France under the Emperor, as the jassif ration
for the revival Of the imperial regime. The Prince
President may be more than half right. France s
ne. republic, never has beon, ex;ept in name.
She has always been Capitalization, aud always
IN practice absolute government. 1t was 50
under the old kings, under the revolution Of i7S9,
under the Directory, under tho Consulate, under
the Empire. under the Restoration, under Charles
x, under Louis Philippe, under the Provisional
Government of Lemartine, and even under the late
Republic, with all lis concessions upon paper.
Louis XIV declared, Sc am the state" and IL was
the fact; and the fact has applied TO the head Of
the government, whether one man or a number of
men, from that day to this. The great mass of
the French people know nothing of true ropubii
can principles, and they care as little abou them
/ The philosophers and politicians know less. The
repeated revolutions in France, initiated upon the
widest and most absurd distractions, have always
resulted in the thing, the ee'tablisA nent Of
strong centralized authority. Give to France
government concentrated in single strong arm
ard, however rigid or expensive, so that it j
splendid and gives security to Paris and you give
to France tranquility. Paris and the Empire hold
the attributes, in the mind of a Frenchman, of al
tha. is great glorious, and perfect. But give to
France the basis Of liberal principles, and she run
into excess.
The stability Of this new constitution Of France
is submitted to the practical test of experience.
One If its most judi 3ious safeguards is the wide
margin left for amendment; and BY hat.sring the
people by an appeal to their universal suffrage al
most any exercise Of power may be resoIted to, as
necessity may require, wita0ut regard b tie limits
Of tho written Law, All the appearances Of the
actual state Of thiBgs in Frspcsin favor Of Louis
Napoleon. He has The powers Of an absolute
monarch in his hands, and The means OF enforcing
them. Ia removing the leading spirits Of sociaiis n.
communion, and red republica1igm, he has re-
moved The nucleus Of nsu1feo.ion. la this yi.w
the holders property recognize him as their p-o
tector against the 3entiousness CT revelation. Ia
developing the industriel resources Of the country
ia lossenirg tie army, in lessening the taxes Of
: the people and in giving labor to She unemployed
be may establish his popularity among the msssos
IL ie only in TO want Of bread tia. the masses Of
tic French people rec9l upon tho go7oraueat.
With lie policy rs hasia.d dgwe, even under tho
despo,ie constitution he has proclaimed, which
means auJthing or nothing, rs 40 nay determine,
bis authority. and his ToEer 10 rnantcn il, nppser
TO be FIRMLY estahHsAed. An the elements II any
Dangerous combination against him seem to be de-
Csroyod. Ma'ny is ailorcoi by tho bsyoaet, snj
loyalty encouraged by tho prospects 81 page aad
ia 9E;anaal domestic ToiCg14s.
Ia g word, the shiI, Che tact, aad success Of
Louis Napoleon, in every step which be has taken
10 lie Dictatorship, jua!uy leo presumption That
he understands tho French nation, aud knows tie
ground upon which be stands. France is tranquil
The coup aslai agertai q possible civil wnr;
trld space OF lime only gill be required to test the
probability Of the new constitution. The prestige
o. tae Emperor msy s7cn yiadcatc lie r9tEogr1do
move Ment u hall T. &C injury.
TnE SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS ~ sermon
will be preached this morning in Eleventh street
Church, near Fourth avenue, b. Rev Mr. Harris,
on Spiritual Maniieststions' In :he evening, a
lecture is to be delivered BY tee same gentleman, on