The daily union., 1852-02-10
Proclamation OF Louis Napoleon, President OF
French ubII1.

FREEcHbER la my proclamation of the % OF Decem-
ber when loyalty explained 10 you what, according 10
my ideas were the vital conditions OF government in
France had not the preension, SO common in these
days. OF substituting personal theory for the experience
OF centuries On the contrary sought IN the past for
examples that might besr be followed and consulted the
benefits that resulted from them.
have thought il reasonable to prefer the precepts OF
genius 10 the specous doctrines OF OF abstract ideas
have taken as models the political institutions which
already al The OF this century, under an
alogous ereumsances, have strengthened toiterng
cle and raised France 10 lofty degree OF prosperity
and grandeur.
have taken as models those institutions which, in
stead OF being destroyed by the first breath OF popular
agitation only overturned by the might OF all Eu.
rope 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 and 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 and practical utility
In fact, as recalled TO my mind in my proclamation
is essential TO demonstrate that our present state OF soc
ely is naught else than France regeneate by the revou
ton of 49, and organized by the Emperor Nothing re-
mains OF the old regime but great souvenirs and great
benefits All that was organized under it was destroyed
by the revolution and all that has been realized since
the reyouon and that still exists, has been the work OF
N1SGeSnl ao lo0re, POSSES, ., s,,.. 0,,
privileged classes holding exclusive possession OF civil
and military empoymens or different religious iurisdic-
tons.
To all such things SO incompatible with its spirit the
revolution applied a thorough reform; but il founded
nothing defnve The first consul, alone, established
unity hierarchy and the true principles Of government
They are still in vgor
Thus the administration of France was intrusted to
projects, subpeiects, and mayors, who substituted unity
in the place OF directing commissions The magisacy
was rendered nrm 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 cassaton All this
mains
In the same manner our admirable financial SYSTEM the
bank OF France the establishment of the budget, the
court OF accounts the organization Of the police, and
our military statutes, date from the aforementioned
epoch.
For the last fifty years is the code Napoleon that has
adjusted the reciprocal interests of citizens; is still The
concordat that regulates the relations OF the State with
the church
Lastly, the greater portion Of the measures which con-
cern the progress OF industry of commerce, OF literature,
of science and of the arts from the statutes OF the The
atre Francas to those OF The institute Of France-rom
the institution OF "prudhommes TO the creation of the
legion OF honorhave been fixed by the DEGREES of that
time.
II may then be affirmed that the frame Of our social ed
flee is the work OF the Emperor, which has stood firm,
sslng his fall and the shocks OF three revolutions.
Wherefore, since they have the origin, should
not his political institutions have the chance of du-
ration
My own conviction has been formed for a long time,
the principal bases Of constitution borrowed from that
OF the year VIII Approved OF by you, they to be-
come the foundation of our political constitution
Let us now examine its spirit.
In our country, for the last eight hundred years
chca, the central power has always existed Royalty
destroyed the great vassals. The revolutions them
selves caused to disappear the obstacles which opposed
the rapid and uniform exercise OF authority In this
country OF Capitalization. public opinion has invariably
attributed everything, good and evil TO the chief of the
government; so that 10 write at the head of charter
that the chief is irresponsible is to lie (ment) 10 public
feeling II is 10 endeavor 10 establish fiction which
has three times disappeared at the sound of revolution
The present constitutions on the contrary, proclams
that the chief whom you have elected is responsible TO
you-hat he has the right OF appeal 10 your sovereign
you may always be able to continue confidence in
him. or 10 withdraw it,
Being responsible his actions must be free and with
out hindcrance Hence arises the obligation OF his hav
ing ministers who may be the honored and powerful
ares of his ideas, but who no longer form RESPONSE
BILE council composed Of jointly responsible members,
nembre solidaires) daily obstacle 10 the special inu-
of the chief of the State, council the expression
OF policy emanatlng from the Chambers, and Tor that
very exposed TO frequent changes, which render
impossible continuous policy, esprit de sue) or the ap
micaton OF a regular system.
Nevertheless, proportion 10 the loftness of position
in which is placed and in proportion 10 his nde-
Jendence and TO the confidence that the people place in
him. is his need OF enlightened and conscientious
sell Hence the creation OF Council OF Sate for the fu
ture the real (Uertabfe council OF the government the
first wheelwork OF our new organizationa reunion OF
practical celebrating projects OF law in special CON-
mtees, then discussing them with closed doors, and
without oratoca osenatlon, in general assembly, next
presenting them 10 the acceptaton OF the legislative
body
Thus the government (poupoir) will be free in its
movements and enlightened in It's progress
Now, what will be the control exercised over the As
semblies
Chamber, which bears the title Of "the legislative
BODY the laws and the Ii is elected by uni
vesa suffrage without the ballot (sans Scruin de isfe
The people, choosing each candidate singy, the
easily appreciate his merit
The Chamber is composed OF about 260 members-a
first guarantee OF the calmness of It's deliberations for
often has been that in assemblies the mobility and
ardor OF passions increase IN proportion TO the number oil
members.
The account OF the deliberations which is 10 inform
the nation OF its affairs is no longer, formerly aban
doned 10 the party spirit OF each journal An official pub
cation drawn up under the surveillance oil the president
of the chamber will alone be authorized
The legislative body freely discusses the laws adopts
or rejects Them but does not introduce those unforeseen
amendments which often derange the whole economy OF
system and the ensemble OF the primitive projects and,
for still stronger reasons il does possess that para
menlary initiative which the source OF such grave
abuse and which permitted every deputy 10 substitute
himself al every turn, in place OF the government and 10
present projects, however unstudied or shallow.
The Chamber being longer in presence OF the min
sers and projects OF law being advocated by the orators
OF the Council of State the time will not be lost in vain
ipepeIlatons in frivolous accusations, and in passion
ate struggles. whose sole object 10 upset ministries
in order 10 replace them.
Thus then, the deliberations OF the legislative body
will be independent, but the OF sterile agltaiions
will have been suppressed and sauary delays introduced
into any notifications OF the law. The deputies lndndd
aires) OF the nation will maturey accomplish things OF
Importance. -
Another assembly will bear the name OF Senate. II win
be composed of those elements which in every country
create n legitimate infuence--such illustrious
name wealth, talent, and services rendered TO the
country. -