The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-01-01

/ CuaISeo Win lne execution OF this decree.
LOUIS NAPOLEON BoNAPARTE.
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
| REPUBLIC---APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
| Frenchmen!-The present situation cannot
last any longer. Each day which passes aggra-
Yates the situation of the country. The Assem-
| bly,, which ought to be the frmest support of
order, is become the centre of plots
The patriotism of three hundred of these
members has not been able to arrest these fatal
tendencies. In place of making laws for the
general interest, it forges arms for civil war it
attacks the power which l hold directly from
the people; it encourages all evil passions; it
compromises the repose of France. l have dis
solved it; and render the whole people Judge
between it and me.
The Constitution, you are aware, had been
drawn up for the purpose of weakening in ad-
vance the power which you were going to con-
tde to me. Six millions of suffrages were a
marked protest against it, and yet have faith
fully observed it. Provocations, calumnies and
outrages have found me impossible. But at
Ipresent-that the fundamental compact is not
more respected by those even who appeal to ii
without ceasing, and that the men who have al
ready destroyed two monarchies want to tie up
my hands, in order to overturn the Republic
it becomes my duty to battle all their perfdious
plans, to maintain the Republic, and save the
country by appealing to the solemn. judgment of
the only Sovereign that recognize in France
the People.
L consequently make frank appeal to the
whole nation, and L say you-if you desire to
continue this state of disquietude, which de-
grades us and compromises our future, choose
another in my place; for / will not consent any
longer to hold a power which is ineffective to
do good, which renders me responsible for acts
which L cannot prevent, and which chains me
to the helm when l behold the vessel hurrying
towards abyss.
If, on the contrary, you have confidence in
me, give me the means of accomplishing the
grand mission which hold from you.
That mission consists in closing the era of
revolutions, by satisfying the legitimate wants
of the people, and in protecting it against sub
versive passions. 1t consists, above ALL in Gre
ating institutions which shall survive men, and
which shall at last be foundations on which
something durable can be based
Persuaded that the instability of the Govern
ment and the preponderance of single Assem-
bly, are permanent causes of trouble and disor-
der, l submit to your suffrages the following
fundamental basis of Constitution which As
semblies will develope afterwards
l. A responsible head, named for ten years
2. Ministers dependent on the Executive
Power alone.
3. A council of state, formed of the most
eminent men, preparing the laws and support
ing the discussion of them before the legislative
bodies.
4. A legislative body discussing and voting
laws, named by universal suffrage without
scrutin de liste, which falsifes the election
3. A second Assembly, formed of all the il
lustrations of the country, preponderating
power, guardian of the fundamental compact
and of public liberties.
The system created by the First Consul at
the commencement of the century has already
given to France repose and presperity and it
would again guarantee them to it.
Such is my profound conviction If YOU
share in it, declare it by your suffrages If, on
the contrary, you prefer a Government with
strength, Monarchical or Republican, borrowed
from know not what past, or from some CHI
merical future, reply negatively.
Thus, then, for the first time since 1904. YOU
will vote with knowledge of what you are do
ing, in knowing well for whom and for what.
If do not obtain the majority OF your suf-
frages, will then call for the meeting of a new
Assembly, and | will give up the charge which
| have received from you.
But if you believe that the cause of which
my name is the symbol-that is to saw. France