Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-02-10
The New French constitution.

The New French Constitution.
This document has at last been presented to
the French people, by their imperial master, and
it's certainly well worthy the acceptance of
race Of spaniels Itseems to have been concocted
upon the hypothesis that the French nation had
forgotten every tradition and idea of liberty since
the Coup d'Etat.
This Coup d'Etat seems to have assumed,
IN the eyes of the miserable perjurer who initia-
ted It, all the properties and powers of the fabed
river Lethe. He seems to imagine that since
that event. on the second of December 1852, the
French people have forgotten the honor of France,
their traditions of liberty, the songs of Beranger,
and the principles of manhood. 1t is scarcely
possible to suppose that he could promulgate such
a Constitution as this is, to living, thinking men,
who had been accustomed to a certain sort of lib
erty, unless he imagined that they were prostra-
ted IN every sense, and feeling.
BY this Constitution, or properly speaking.
"dctum'' of Louis Napoleon, Louis Napoleon is
every thing. He is responsible TO nobody
In the language Of the document, the govern
ment of the French Republic is intrusted to
Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, actual Pres-
dent OF the Republic for 10 years. The Presi-
dent of the Republic is the Chief of the State
He commands the lun1 an1 500 Garcos, declares
war, concludes treaties of peace, political and
commercial alliances, and makes the rules and
DEGREES for the execution of the laws Justice is
rendered in his name. He alone has the initia-
tive Of the laws
The sovereign people is thus dethroned ty the
sovereign President. He assumes to himself pow
ers over the present and future of France, more
arbitrary and despotic than any king ever assum-
ed since the days of Louis the Ninth. He deslg-
mates who shall succeed him in the Presidency,
and he chooses the Councillors Of State and the
members ofthe Senate.
The number of the Councillors ofState in ordi-
nary service is from 40 to so.
The Councillors of State are named by the
President Of the Republic, and are liable to re-
moval by him
The number of Senators cannot exceed $50.
Ii is fixed for 80 for the first year.
The Senate is composed, LIST, of the Cardinals,
Marshals, Admirals; I'd, of the citizens whom
the President of the Republic deems fit to elevate
to the dignity of Senator.
The Senators are not removable, and are for
life.
The functions of Senators are gratuitous, new
ertheless the President of the Republic may ac-
cord the Senators, by reason of the services rem
dered, and oftheir position as respects fortune,
personal donation, which shall not exceed &c, OOOf
yearly.
The Senate is composed of the chefs of the
priesthood, and the leaders of the army and navy,
upon whom this disguised despot reposes, more
than upon the popular ''votes,'' the fictitious
character Of which no man better understands
than he. He is to choose the members of the
Council of State. He is to designate the Senate.
In this manner he dominates over those of the
nominal powers Of the State, and he is to have
the power paying those who will become his
| most criuging minions.
The legislative corps is to be elected for six
years, and can only be chosen from the rich and
the venal, the payment Of members being abolish
ed. Louis Napoleon is to appoint the President
and Vice President of the legislative corps He
eau when he pleases, prorogue and abolish this
body, whose sittngs are to continue for only three
months The sittings are public, but the demand
of five members is sufficient for lis resolving itself
into secret committee.
The account Of the proceedings of the sitting
of the legislative corps given by the journals, or
any other channel of publication, shall consist on
ly Of the reproduction ofthe minutes (proces ger
bGE!) drawn ont at the close of each sitting BY
the care Of the President Of the legislative corps.
The history Of political audacily and hypocra-
| cy cannot furnish parallel to this outrageous
despotism in the name of Republic lfthe
French nation long submit TO be SO insuIted,
Knocked and trampled upon, they will only prove
that they are unworthy Of liberty 1t is said that
the French people feel that this constitution is an
outrage. For the honor Of humanity and for the
sake of liberty, we hope that it is SO.
/ Al