The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-11
France.

The new constitution of France, as promul-
gated by LOUIS NAPoLEoS, is too remarkable a
document to be passed over with the brief men
ton Of its provisions which has appeared under
our telegraphc head; and we therefore avail
ourselves of the subjoined abstract, from the
columns of an English journal:
"Tbc President is TO preserve his present title
aud Office for ten years. be is responsible before the
people, TO whom lac can always appeal. He com
mands the land and sea forces. lie alone has the
initiative Of tho laws; be has the right to declare
the state of siege, referring it 10 the Senate. He
presents ono message every year. No accusation
can bo brought against ministers but by the Sen.
aic. They only responsible for their respect
i've duties. The functionarios take the oath Of obc
diebcc TO the constitution and fidelity TO the Pres
dent In of the death Of the President the SEN
ate calls upon the nation for a election. The
President has the right, by a secret deed dcpo-
sitcd with the Senate, TO dosignstc 10 the people
the citizen whom lac recommends TO the suffrage
until the election OF new President. The Presi-
dent Of the Senate governs jointly with Ministers
The number OF Senators is not 10 exceed one hun
drcd and fifty. II IL fixed at eighty for the first
year. The Senators named for life by the Pre-
| sdcnt Their functions arc performed gratui.
iously. However, the President may grant a sal
airy not exceeding 30 1000 franco. The sitting OF tho
Senate is not TO be public. II regulates tho con
sdtution Of colonies and all that has not been pro-
viJcd for by the constitution. IL may propose
notifications Of the constitution, but any modif.
cation Of the bases laid la The pros lanaon Of De
cctnber will he referred 10 universal suffrage.
There will be deputy 10 the legislative body for
every thirty five thousand electors elected by uni
ycrsal suffrage for ten ycars, and receiving mo-
| cruolumcnt Al adopted amendments arc 20
b. sent, without Discussion, before the COun-
cil Of state, aud cannot be discussed il no,
equally adopted by this one. The sittings will las,
three months. Reports Of the siitings by news-
papers will be confined u the official reports Of tho
proceedings drawn up ny the bureau. The Prcsi.
dent aud Vice r. -idcut arc nominated by the
President Of the republic for year. Ministers
cannot bc deputies. Petitions may be addressed
20 the senate. but 10 The legislative body The
Precedent Of the republic conVokcs, sdjourns, pro
roru,s, and dissovcs The legislative body. In csse
Of dissolution, new ono Is 10 be convokcd within
ak months. The Council Of State, composed OF
forty or fifty members. u nominated and presided
over by the Prcsident, Who may revoke its mem
bore. The members receive annual salary OF
twenty five thousand francs. They draw up the
project Of laws aud discuss them before the Lcgis
lsturc There will be High Court OF Justice with.
out appeal, before which will be tried all attempts
against tic State or its chief The mayors arc up.
pointed by the executive power"
Startling az such constitution is to
American ears, it is in perfect keeping with
the bold act Of usWpation by which LOUIS
| NAroLrON attained his position in December;
and the people who patiently endured perjury
aud treason then, may be expected for time
10 bear with similar equanimity the fragrant
outrage now committed with the color and
forms Of law. An usurper. in the first in
stance, making pretence Of a regard for the
public veal. circumstances have enabled him
To throw of the mask, and assume the attitude
of full grown despolism, with a constitution
framed 10 advance his own ends. with willing
instruments to do his meanest and his foulesl
work, and with an overwhelming military
force TO fall back upon in the time Of need
Nearly all power, executive and legislative, is
in his hands. Representative government j:
reduced to burlesque, 50 thiuly Disgusting ty
ranuy that no man Of principle or honesty car
hold a seat or an office under it,
The daring entertainments Of this new con
stitution are for the moment cast in the shade
by the rapid issue Of DEGREES, imperial in every
thing hut name, and involving an amount O
social misery unknown in France since tho
close Of the last century. On one day III,
.Noniter promulgated three Of these decrees-
one transporting by a stoke Of the pen Il
| Cayenne the chief members Of the Mountain
another eNpelling nearly seventy other repre-