Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-14

be composed Of the elements which, throughout whole
country, create legitimate infnencesan lustous name,
fortune, talent, and services rendered
g The Senate is longer like the Chamber of Peers,
the pale reflection Of the Chamber Of Deputies repeating
at days interval the discussions in another
tone. 1t is the depository of the fundamental compact
and Of the liberties compatible with the constitution and
it is only with respect to the grand principles which is
based society that it examines all the laws and pro-
poses to the executive power lt inteyenes,
whether to resolve every grave difficulty which might arise
during the absence of the Legislative body or to explain
the text Of the constitution to what is
ry for its being acted 1t has the right to annu every
arbitrary and illegal act and thus enjoying that consider
alton which belongs body exclusively occupied with
the examination of great interests the application of
grand principles, ii occupies in the State the ndepen
dent sautary and conservative position Of the ancient
Parliaments.
The Senate viii not be- like the Chamber Of Peers,
transformed into court of ustice it will preserve its
character of supreme moderator; for disavor always
reaches political bodies when the sanctuary Of the les
lators becomes criminal tribunal. The mparality Of
the judge is often called in doubt and he loses portion
of his prestige in public opinion, which sometimes goes
the length Of accusing him of being the instrument Of
sion of hatred
GA high court Of justice, chosen from amongst the
higher magistrates having for urymen members Of the
Commissioned throughout all France, will alone de-
eide in of aata against the head Of the State and
public safety
the Emperor used to say to the Council of State "A
constitution the work Of time; and too large margin
be left ameliorations Consequently the pre-
constitution has fixed only what it impossible
leave uncertain. 1t has not enclosed within mpass-
BILE circle the dcstines OF great peoples has left to
change margin sufficiently wide to allow, in great crises
other of safety to be employed than the disastrous
expedent of revolutions.
The Senate can, in concert with the Government, mo-
dy all that is not fundamental in the constitution but
to the notifications effected in its primary bases sane
toned by your surages they cannot become denitiye
until after they have received your ratification.
Thus the people remains always master of its dest-
ny, nothing fundamental be effected independently
| of its WILL
ssSuch are the ideas and principles which you have
thorized to carry into application May the constitn-
ton confer country calm and prosperous days
May it prevent the return of those intestine struggles IN
which the victory, however legitimate it may be- is always
dearly purchased May the sanction which you have be-
slowed my efforts receive the benedicton OF Heaven
In that case peace will be ensured at home and abroad
my prayers viii be granted and my mission accomplished!
'sDoUIs NAPOLEON BoNAPARTE.
"Palace of the Tuileries, January a. 1852"
Constitution made in virtue Of The poacers delegated By The
French People to Louis Napoleon Bonapar By the pote q
the 20M and 2lst Of December, 1851.
THE President of the Republic
"Consdering that the French people has been called
to pronounce its opinion the following resolution
The people wish for the maintenance of the authority
of Louis Napoleon Bonapare, and give him the powers
necessary to make constitution according to the bases
laid down in his proclamation of the I'd December
Considering that the bases proposed to the acceptance
of the people were
| ~. responsible chief appointed for ten years;
T. Ministers dependant on the Executive power alone
s3. Council Of State, formed of the most distin-
guished men, prepare the laws and support the discus
sion of them before the legislative body;
"a legislative body to discuss and vote the laws,
elected by universal suffrage, without run dc ts which
falsfes the election;
as second Assembly formed of the most illustrous
men of the country equposing power pouco pom
derate) guardian of the fundamental compact and OF
public liberties;
Considering that the people have replied affrmatvey
by millions five hundred thousand votes,
Promulgates the Constitution, the tenor Of which
as. follows:
CHAPTER /.
article l. The Constitution admits, confirms, and
guarantees the great principles proclaimed in 1885, and
which are the bases of the public right of Frenchmen
CHAPTER II--Forms Of the Government Of the Republic
q Art. 2 The Government Of the French Republic Il
confded, for years Prince Louis Napoleon Bona
parte the actual President of the Republic.
"Art. 3. The President of the Republic governs BY
means,of Minister'S of the Council of State Of the Sc
nate, and of the Legislative Body.
Art A. The Legislative power is exercised coectvel,
by the President of the Republic the Senate and the LIE
gislative Body.
CHAPTER Mo- tie President ofMe Republic
cart. s. The President of the Republic is responsible
to the French people, to whom he has always the right
make an appeal
cart g. The President of the Republic is the Chief o
the Sate he commands the land and forces declares
war; makes treaties Of peace, alliance, and
appoints to all employs and makes the regulations
DEGREES necessary for the execution of the laws.
| :" Art. T. Justice is rendered in his name
| cart s. He alone has the initiative of laws
1 cart Q. He has the right of granting pardon.
cart. 10. He sanctions and promugates the laws ane
| the senatls consultum.
Art H. He presents every year to the Senate and t.
the Legislative body by message, the state of the af
fairs of the Republic.
cart H. He has the right to declare the Of siege
in several departments condition Of referring
to the Senate within the shortest possible delay The
consequences of the state of siege regulated by law
cart l3. The Ministers depend only on the Chief OF
the States they only responsible for the of the
Government far they individually ned in
them there is joint responsibility among them and
they can only be mpeaohed by the Senate.
Art a. The ministers, the members of the Senate, OF
the Legislative body and Of the Council of State the off,
GERS of the land and forces the magistrates and pub
lie functionaries take the following oath ODE
dsencc 10 he Constitution and fidelity 10 The President
" Art Is, Senatus Consultum fixes the sum allowed
annually the President Of the Republic during the whole
continuance of his functions.
cart 16 II the President of the Republic dies before
the expiration OF his term of Office the Senate TO
woke the nation in order to proceed to fresh election.
g Art II The Chief of the State has the right by
act deposited in the archives Of the Senate point
to the people the of the citizen whom he
mend in the interest Of France the confidence of the
| people and to their SURFACES.
Art 49, Until the election of the President Of the
Republic the President Of the Senate governs with the
cooperation Of the ministers in functions who form them
selves into council Of government, and deliberate by
majority of votes
CHATTER IV.-Of the Senate.
Art 49, The number of shall not exceed 100:
| il is fixed for the first year Mt 80.
I" Art 20 The Senate is composed, l. of Cardinals
Marshals and Admrals 2. of citizens whom the Presi-