Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-13

spring up on shat classic and consecrated SOIL
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.
PARIS, FEBRUARY II, 1852
We have not been favored since the date of my
last three days ago, with any event that particular
ly amuses astonshes Paris, or that would parti-
cularly amuse your readers; and had not been
awoke, and afterwards kept awake two hours before
day, by the rolling of carriages beneath my window,
returning from grand rout and ball given by the
NJ DE ST. ARN8UD, the Minister of War, whose
hotel is in my immediate neighborhood, | think
that should have allowed this days mail to leave
without my letter, At 10o'clock A. NJ the Mo,ei-
teuy came to my relief as was turning the leaves
of my notebook in considerable perplexity, to find
subject to commence my letter withal. The con-
clusion, as frequently happens with Paris corre
spondents, was already written The following do
cument, circular of M. DE PERsIGNY, Minister of
the Interior addressed to the projects Of the eighty
six departments, and published in the official jour-
nal of to-day, consider worth preserving as Illus
trative of the manner in which the actual Govern
ment which loudly asserts that it relies for sup
port, it Pounds its origin, upon the free express
sion of the peoples will which pretends to the glory
of having restored universal suffrage in France under
stands universal suffrage practice II the best Off
cal exposition of the sentiments of the Prince LOUIS
had We have had it Mue-the bunged eyes and bruised
by the fss and cudgsl of the Decs"brss in ls49
and 1850 we have had it red, toowitness the blood
/ spilled upon the boulevards of Paris &c. What would
the people of the United States and of England the only
two important countries of the world where any thing
universal suffrage is enjoyed say If paternal Govern
ment were undertake summary direction of the
expression of the peoples viii at general election
i Here is the document:
Il PARIS, FEBRUARY III, 1862.
/ 'MoSsKUR LIE PREFET: You have been informed, by
the circular of my honorable predecessor of the line of
conduct which you pursue at the coming elections
1T is not as under preceding Governments, by clan
destne influence which debase mems characters apd de-
grade their conscences that you have to exercise your
action Under the legitimate Government of the elect of
the people the time of intrgues and parliamentary
rupon is passed What you have to do at present you
will do openly and before the world.
"What is in fact, the political situation? The French
people has given to the nephew Of the Emperor the mis-
| sion of making Constitution certain determined
bases; to form Ministry dependant only the Execu
tive power to create Senate selected from amongst the
usrious Of the country; to organize Council Of
State formed of the principal political capacities and
finally, to conyoke Legislative body to be elected by
universal suffrage By single vote, clear, simple and
understood by ALL the people consequently has itself
aed all the public powers and there only remains for it.
in order to terminate its work. TO name deputies TO the
/ Legislative body.
g This second vote of the people, although infinitely
less solemn than the frst has however, It's importance
The Constitution undoubtedly does not permit those
vain parliamentary agations which have SO long para
lyzed the forces Of the people, but II Is not sufficient
have rendered that regime powerless for evil II Is
sary make the Government powerful TO do good Blu
good cannot be done Mt present. except condition
and that is that the Senate the Council of State the lie
slave body, and the Administration be- with the Chic
Of the State in perfect harmony Of IDEAS sentiments
interests for it is unity of views in the public powers
which alone constitutes the strength and grandeur o
nations.
In the elections coming the French people has
Qnflr
cason what would not be its embarrassment without the
Intervention Of the Government! How could eight mil
lions Of electors TO understanding to distinguish
amongst many candidates worthy Of notice for many
various reasons Of weight 26 deputies animated by the
spirit devoted TO the interests and aike ds-
posed to complete the popular victory Of December ~
IL IS consequently important that the shoud
enghten the electors this subject As 1t is evidently
the desire of the people finish what they have com
mcnced the people must be enabled to discern who are
the friends and who are the enemies Oh the
which has just been founded.
uIn conseouenoe Monsieur e Prefet adopt measures
for making known to the electors Of each district of your
department by the ntermedaton Of the various agents
OF the Administration, by every means which you may
deem advisable according the feeling Of the localities,
and IL necessary by proclamaons posted up in the
munes the candidate whom the Government Of Louis Ma
poEoS considers calculated to aid it in its work of
reparation.
al recommend you above all, Monsieur le Prefet to
p,ce the interests of the State above all personal
lions The Government does not about the previous
not;cal career of the candidates who frankly and sin
cerey accept the order Of things but it calls you
ut the same time not TO hesitate to the populations
against those whose known tendencies not in the sp
rit Of the new institutions.
alt well understood besides that you not to do
any thing which embarrass trammel in any way
the exercise Of universal suffrage All candidates ought
to be allowed to come forward freely; and the Prince
President would consider the honor Of his Government
attanted il the slightest mpedment thrown in the
way Of free voting.
Receive, Monsieur lie Prefet the assurance Of my
most distinguished consideration. T. DE PERsIaNy."
The Ministerial Journals especially heIatrie and the
Pay have been for the last fortnight famiarizing the
public mind the open assumption by Government Of the
right to dictate its choice to the people. If the people
should be sufficiently hnspred to elect to the Legislative
corps opposed to- lukewarm in their support
Of the Government all H hare to Be done again r.