Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-02-19
TEK FRENCH CoNsrrrurIoN.-The

TEK FRENCH CoNsrITurIoN.-The
Prince President of France has pub
I;sbed the new Constitution. Itpiles
up the power on the President, ofcourse.
The following is the basis Of the instru-
ment, being what the President under
stands the people decided at the late
election:
1. A responsible Chief named for
10 years.
2. Ministers dependent upon the Ex-
ecutive Power alone.
8. A Council Of State formed Of the
most distinguished men, preparing the
laws and maintaining the discussion on
them in the Legislative corps.
4. A Legislative Corps, discussing
and voting the laws, named BY uniyer-
sal suffrage. wiihou! the serutiH de iste,
which falsi6es the election.
5. A Second Assembly formed of all
the distinguished men of the country. a
balancing power, guardian of the fun
damentaI pact and of the public inter-
ests, and considering that the peop'e
have answered afirmatively BY 7.500,-
600 sufrages, he promulgates the con-
stitution, the tenor of which is as fol-
lows.
The President is styled "Prince Lou
is" &c. Some paper sums a portion
Of this instrument as follows:
The President commands the armies
and navies; makes peace and war; and
makes rules and DEGREES for the execu-
ton of the laws. He pardons, posses
ses the initiative of the laws, declares
any department in a state OF siege-a
tremendous power of infiicting martial
law at p'easure-and so forth. He
holds his Office for ten years, and re-
serves the right, if he dies in office. TO
leave behind a suggestion, or recon-
mendaiion, Of his successor.
The Senate is composed of Cardinals,
MarshaIs, Admirals, and men appointed
by the President. They are moi 10 ex-
ceed 155. This year the number is so.
The President convokes and prorogues
this body. Fixes the duration of its
session, which is not public. They
originate nothing; but receive petitions.
and oppose laws affecting the constitu-
ton, religion, morals, liberty of wor
ship, equality of citizens before the
law, and some other; together with
those which may endanger the safety Of
the territory. They can maintain or
annul acts submitted to it as unconsti
tuiionaI by the government, or de-
nounced in petitions. In case of the
dissolution OF the Legislative corps, it
may, on application of the President.
take measures to carry on the govern
ment. As the President convokes, ad.
journs, prorogues, dissolves, and does
what he pleases with the Legislative
body, he, together with the Senate, may
assume the entire control of affairs,
whenever he pleases.
The Legislative Body indeed purports
TO be chosen by the people; one men,
Der Tor every 35, 600 voters, to hold their
seats for six years; but they are TO have
no pay. 1t is easy TO see it will not re-
feet the sentiments ofthe people much.
The proceedings are not declared pri-
vate, as those of the Senate are; but
still The press is not allowed 10 publish
anything, but some meagre minutes,
and these prepared under the inspection
OF the President of the Body. Though
the sittings are said to be public, on de
mand of five of the members, the doors
are to be closed at any time. What a
farce! After all these jealous precau.
tons, they do not appear TO have any
business to do. but to swallow every.
thing proposed to them. For, if they
offer the least amendment to any meas.
ure, IFS progress is stopped instantly
no debate. The matter is remanded to
the Council of State; if not approved
by them. it is no more heard of in this
insignificant Legislative Body, which
it must be remembered, is the only or.
gan the people have in the making o
laws or the administration OF the gov
eminent. Can any thing be more ri
diculous, than TO grant the franchise o
universal suffrage, and then limit 1t:
exercise to the election of a set of men
who are perfect cyphers in the state
Bonaparte's barber will have more in
huence hereafter in the Government o
France, under this constitutional cheat
than all the representatives chosen BY
The boasted universal suffrage Of tn,
neonle