Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24

Having taking his place. the President, after saluting
the Assembly invited the members TO be seated and then
read the following address
The dictatorship which the people confded to me
ceases to-day. Things about to take their regular
course. 1t is with sentiment Of real satisfaction that
proclaim here to-day that the Constitution is now
in force for my constant has been only to re-
establish order but render it permanent by giving to
France Institutions suited to her wants But few
agoyou will remember 1.-THE moro strictly confined
myself within the circle of prerogatiyes the
persistent the efforts il still further
with view to deprive Of all power of action. Often
discouraged, confess thought of abandoning power
thus disputed What restrained was that saw no
thing could succeed me but anarchy. Every where in
fact passions, eager destroy incapable of founding any
thing in state Of exatation and nowhere was
there an institution to which could cling;
where an undsFuted right organization of any kind
practicable system.
Thus when, thanks the cooperation of certain
rageous menhanks especially to the energetic attitude
OF the army-all danger disspated in few hours,
my first to demand from the people new instit
tons For too long period society resembed pyramid
which had been overturned and which sought
place upon its apex have replaced upon its base
Universal suffrage the only rghul power tsuch
juncture was Immediately reestabshed; authority
conquered It's ascendency and finally, France adopting
the Leading constitutional provisions which submitted to
her. was enabled to create political bodies the influence
and consideration of which will be great in proportion
their prerogauyes are wisely regulated In fact, those
political Institutions only can endure which define in an
equitable manner the limits of the different powers There
is no other way Of arriving at useful and benefcen APP
plicadon Of liberty. Examples are at hand
why, In 1914, did with satisfaction, notwith-
standing our reverses the Inauguration of the parliament
tary regimen 1t was because the Emperor-let not
fear to ayow thad been drawn by into too abso-
| lutte exercise of power
.Why, the other hand in 1851 did France applaud
the fall OF this same gime2 1t because the Cham
bers had abused the influence which given them and
that wishing to rule every thing they endangered the ge
neral equilibrium.
Finally, why has not France been alarmed by the
strctions applied to the press and individual liberty
is that the had degenerated into license and the
other instead of being the regulated exercise of the
rights Of each had by odous excesses endangered the
rights of all.
This extreme danger especially for democraces of
seeing Ill constructed institutions sacrificing auhor
y now liberty was perfectly appreciated by fathers
half century ago, when just issuing from the storm of
revolution and after vain attempts at all kinds Of regimes
they proclaimed the Constitution of the year WILL which
has served the model for that of 1852 Without doubt
it does not sanction all those liberties the very abuse
we have been accustomed but it does
| certain liberties which real and substantial.
9 Immediately after revolutions the most important
guaranty for people does consist in the mmoderate
OF the tribune and the press but in the choose
| the Government which suits them Now the French ma
ton has given perhaps for the first time in the world the
imposing spectacle Of great people voting in entire lib
| erty their form of government.
Thus the Chief of the State who is before you is in
deed the expression of the popular will And what do
before me Two Chambers one elected by virtue of
the most liberal law which exists in the world the other
appointed by me- it is true but independent also be-
cause it is irremoyable. About you remark men of
recognised patriotism and merit always ready to aid me
with their councils and enlghten the of
the country
The Constitution which from to-day goes into opera
ton is not work of vain theory and despotsm it is the
work OF experience and reason. You will aid gentle
men, in consolidating, extending, and improving it,
shall communicate to the Senate and to the Legisa-
tive body an expose Of the situation of the Republic They
will by that that every where confidence has been re-
has hepn hat
the first time after great political change, the public
fortune has been increased instead of diminished
During the last four months my Government has been
able to encourage many useful enterprises recompense
many services, to relieve much misery and i'm
prove the position of most of the principal functionares
and all this without increasing the taxes derangng the
to You equally balanced
such facts, and the attitude of Europe which has &C
cepted with satisfaction the changes which have taken
place. give to just hope of security for the future
for if tranquility is assured at home, it is equally
abroad Foreign Powers respect independence and
it is certainly our interest to preserve the most friendly
relations with them So long the honor of France shall
not be involved the duty of the Government will be
fully to avoid all of disturbance Europe and
direct all our eferts towards internal which
alone the laborng classes assure
the prosperity Of the country.
And now gentlemen, at the moment when you asso-
cate yourself periodically with my abors / wish to
explain you frankly what viii be my course Seeing
reesabsh the institutions and the souvenirs of the
empire it has often been repeated that desire
tabsh the empire itself If such were my constant
cern this transformation would have been accomplished
long time ago. Neither the the opportunities
have been wanting.
.Thus, in 1s4s, when 1000 900 SURFACES elected me-
despite the Constituent Assembly was not that
simple refusal to acquesce the Constitution could have
given throne. But elevation which would have
| involved serious disorders did not tempt me.
" On the 18th of june 1849, ALSO it was easy for me
to change the form Of Government. did not wish
FINALLY, the I'd December if personal considera-
tons had prevailed the grave interests of the
try, might have demanded Of the peope-who would
have refused t-a pompous title. contented myself
with that which had
when, therefore, draw examples from the Consulate
and the Empire it is because find there especially the
impress Of nationality and grandeur.
Resolved now, before, do all for France nothing
for myself would not accept modification of the pre-
state Of things unless constrained by evident
cessty Whence this necessity spring. Solely from
the conduct Of parties If they submit quietly, nothing
will be changed But if by their inrgues they seek
to sap the basis Of my Government if in their blindness
they deny the legitimacy of the result Of the popular
to put in question the future of the country then but on
them it might be reasonable demand Of the people,
in the name of the repose of France, title which
would fix irrevocaby upon head the powers with which
they have invested me.
But let concern ourselves in advance about diff
fcultes which doubtless all probable Let
preserve the Republic; it it may re-as-
sure all. Beneath its banner would fain inaugurate
anew Of forgetfuncss and Cancellation and APP
peal without distinction to all who disposed to CO.
operate with for the public good Providence which
has thus far vsbly blessed my efforts will not
work unfinished; it will animate all with its inspira-