The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-10


sterile seitations will have besn suppressed, anc
salutary delays introduced into any modification
of the law. The deputies (maadataires) of tn,
nation will maturey accomplish things of i'm
portance.
Another assembly will bear the name Of Sen
ate. 1t will DO composed of those elements
which in every country create n legitimate in,
| fluence; such ms an illustrous name, wealth
talent, and services rendered to the country.
| The Senate is not--what the chamber of peers
was--a pale reflection Of the chamber of depu.
ties, repeating, at a few days interval, the same
discussion in another tone. IL Is the depository
| of the fundamental compact aud of the public
| liberties, compatible with the constitution, and
it Is solely with regard to the great principles on
which our society is based, that it examines all
laws, and that it proposes new ones to the ex-
ecutve power. 1t intervenes either TO resolve
any grave difficulty which might arise during the
absence of the Legislative body, or to explain
the text Of the constitution, and to secure what
ever may be necessary to its operation. II has
the right to annu any Illegal or arbitrary act,
and thus enjoying the consideration which at
taches to body exclusively occupied with the
examination OF great interests, or the spplica-
ton of great principles, II fills in the State the
independent, salutary, and conservative office Of
the ancient parliaments.
The Senate will not be, like the Chamber of
Peers, transformed into court of Justice 1t
will preserve its character of supreme modera-
tor: for disrepute always falls on political
bodies when The sanctuary oflegisation becomes
a criminal tribunal. The impartiality of the
Judges is too often questioned, and it looses all
prestige with public opinion, which sometimes
goes so far as to accuse it Of being the instru-
meut of passion or of hatred.
A high court Of justice, chosen from amongst
the high mngistracy, and having, az jury; men,
bers Of the councils general of France, will
alone repress all attempts against the chief Of
the State and the public safety.
The Emperor said TO the council Of State -
"a constitution is the work of time 1t is i'm
possible to leave in it too large margin for
ameliorations." Accordingly, the present con-
stitution has only settled that which it was i'm
possible to leave uncertain. 1t has shut up,
within insurmountable barriers, the destinies Of
great people. It has left for change margin
sufficiently large to allow, in great crisis, of other
means Of safety than the disastrous expedient of
revolution
The Senate can, in concert with the govern
ment, modify all that is not fundamental in the
constitution, but as to any notifications Of the
fundamental basis, sanctioned by your suf1rages,
they can only become definite after having re.
ceived your ratification.
Thus the people remain master of its destiny.
Nothing fundamental is effected without its will
Such are the ideas, such the principles that
you have authorized me to apply. May this
constitution give to our county calm and pros.
rerous days, may it prevent the return of those
intestine struggles, in which victory, however
legitimate, is always dearly bought;-may the
sanction which you have given to my efforts be
blessed by Heaven! Then-peace will be as
sured at home and abroad, my ardent hope will
be fulfilled, (mes rGur seront combles) my mis-
sion will be accomplished.
LOUIS NAPOLEON BoNAPARTE.
Palace of the Tuileries, JAN ii, 1852.