The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-10
fhs FfGeiahlatiOn OF L0nis Eap0fe0n, pfosiI
dent or the French Republic.
TO the French People, Promulgating The Con-

TO the French People, Promulgating The Con
sthu!ioa Of The % Of December, 1851.
FREScHMEN LIN my proclamation of the %
OF December, when loyalty explained to you
what, according to my ideas, were the vital con
dltons of government in France, had not the
pretension, 80 common in these days, of subst
tuting personal theory for the experience OF
centuries On the contrary, soughtin tho past
for examples that might best be followed, ard
consulted the benefits that resulted from them
| have thought it reasonable to prefer the
precepts of genius to the specious doctrines OF
men OF abstract ideas. ! have taken as models
the political institutions which already, at the
commencement OF this century, under analogous
circumstances, have strengthened lettering So
ciety, and raised France to a lofty degree of
prosperity and grandeur.
have taken as models those institutions
which, instead Of being destroyed BY the first
breath OF popular agitation, We're only over
turned by the might Of all Europe coalesced
against them
In one word, said to myself, since France
has made progress during the last fifty years,
in virtue alone Of the administrative, military,
Judicial, religious, and financial organization Of
the consulate aud the empire, why should not
we adopt the political institutions OF that epoch
| Created by the same thought, they must bear
the same character OF nationality aud practical
utility.
| In fact, AS recalled to mind in my proclama-
ton, il is essential to demonstrate that our
present state Of society is nought else than
France regenerate by the revolution OF 80, and
organized by the emperor Nothing remains Of
the old regime, but grea. souvenirs and great
benefits; all that WAS organized under it was
destroyed by the revolution, and all that has
ba lnfin nd hui
still exists, has been The work of Napoleon
| We no longer possess provinces, or States,
or parIiaments, or intendants, or farmers general
or fcudal rights, OF privileged classes holding
exclusive possession Of civil and military EN-
ployments, or different religious jurisdictions.
To all such things, so Incompatible with its
spirit, the revolution applied thorough reform ;
but it founded nothing definite The first con-
sui alone, re-established unity, hierarchy. and
the true principles of government. They are
still in vigor.
Thus, the administration Of France was en-.
trusted to projects, sub projects, and mayors,
who substituted unity in the place of directing
commissions. The magistracy was rendered
firm, and justice more easy, by the clear definition
of attributes from those of The justice of the
peace, up TO. those Of the court Of cessation.
All this remains.
=. In the same manner, our Admirable financial
system, the Bank Of France, the establishment
OF the budget, the court of accounts, the or
.anization of the police, and our military sta
tutes, date from the aforementioned epoph.
For the last fifty years it is the Code Ndpo-
leon that has adjusted the reciprocal interests
OF citizens; it is still the concordat that regu
lates the relations of the State with the church.
Lastly, the greater portion OF the measures
which concern the progress of industry, o.
commerce, of literature, of science, and of the
arts, from the statutes of the Theatre Francois
to those of the Institute of France.-from the
institution of "prudhommsS" to The creation of
the Legion Of Honor, have been fixed by the
DEGREES of that time.
It may then be affirmed that the frame Of our
social edifice is the work of the emperor
which stood frm-resisting his fall and the
shocks of three revolutions.
Wherefore, since they have the same origin,
should not his political institutions have the
same chance of duration
MY own conviction has been formed for
long time, and therefore it was that submitted
to your Judgment the principal bases of con
stitution borrowed from that of the year VIII
Approved of by you, they are to become the
| foundation Of our political constitution.
Let us now examine its spirit.
years monarchcal-the central power has al.
ways existed. Royalty destroyed tie great
vassals. The revolutions themselves caused to
disappear the obstacles which opposed the rapid
and uniform exercise of authority. In this
country of Capitalization, public opinion has
invariable attributed everything, good and evil
10 the chief the government; so that, TO write
| at the head Of charter that the chief is irres.
ponsible, is TO lie (Daentir) to public feeling. Ii
is 10 endeavor to establish fiction which has
three times disappeared at the sound Of revolu-
| ton
! The preseu: constitution, on the contrary, pro.
claims that the chief whom you have elected is
responsible to you-that hshas the right Of ap.
peal to your sovereign judgment, in order that
in grave (solsnsiLeS) circumstances you may nj
ways be able TO continue your confidence in
him, or to Withdraw il.
Being responsible, his actions must be free
and without hinderance. Hence arises the oh.
| legation of bis having ministers who may be the
bonored and powerful auxiliaries of his ideas
but who no longer form a rcponsible council,
composed ofjointy responsible members( mem
/ JreS soiidaireS), daily obstacle TO the special
influence Of the chief of the State, council the
expression OF policy emanating FROM the
chambers, and for that very reason exposed 10
frequent changes which render impossible a.
continuous policy esprit ne suite, or the appli.
cation Of irregular system.
Nevertheless, in proportion TO the loftiness
Of position 10 which, man Is placed and in pro.
portion TO his independence, aud to the conf
dence that The people place in him, is his need
/ OF enlightened and conscientious council. Hence
the creation OLA council of State, for the future
! the real (reriidbls) council Of the government,
the first wheelwork Of our organzation--a re-
union Of practical men celebrating projects Of
law in special committees then discussing them
with closed doors and without oratorical Osten-
talion, in general assembly, next presenting
them to the accepta'ion Of the legislative body.
! Thus the government (pouDojr) will be free
in to movements, and enlightened 10 its pro.
gress.
Now, what will be the control exercised over
! the assemblies
A chamber, which bears the title Of the leg
slntive body" votes the laws and the taxes. IL
/ . A n a. a. Ii