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

The New French Constitution.
We insert to-day the new constitution OF
France, or the one which was extant at the sail
ing of the last steamer. Whether it will sur.
vive until the departure of the next, is uncertain
for the people of Paris are very tickle, As
for the great body Of the people of France out OF
Paris, they are abolt as passive in politics as the
Cossacks or Chinese. They vote themselves free
men or slaves, whenever called on by the mob or
the military of Paris, with great facility OF acqu,
escencc, and by overwhelming masorties. The
failure of free institutions in France is so total
that no man of sense can expect their re-estab-
lishment within the next fifty years.
In this country there were many men who dis
trusted the success of the experiment which
began in February, 1913. But there was per
haps not single man here who believed that
the failure would be so complete. There is no
parallel in history to the ease with which the
forms of free government were then estab-
lished, or that with which they have since been
overthrown. The event is so stupendous and
impressive, that il positively brushes all theories
of European liberty, and all the creed of univer-
sal liberty equality, and fraternity. It is fact
which is worth all the essays, articles, speeches,
and orations on the rights of man, that have been
printed and spoken for the last century.
We don't suppose that the revolutionary party
of France, or Of Europe, or their sympathisers
here, will acquiesce. We don't think there will
be stability or peace. On the contrary, the evil
dence is, that resistance is almost rs practicable
as submission. So we think there will be plenty
Of both. But as for liberty, there don't appear
TO be any element Of hope left for it. There
is such an entire lack of moral principle Of good
faith, of information, of common sense, OF
moderation, in the mass of European population,
that the maintenance of free government is sim
ply out of the question. 1.... IA
AS for this thing called the new constitution
of France, constructed by that modern LYcUR-
GUS, Prince LOUIS NAPOLEON, il is beneath crit
cism. 1t proposes to have legislature with one
popular branehs but reserves to the President
the right of appealing to the people against
their own sentatives-although they are
not allowed to pass single law which he does
not propose to them, or even to debate that.
And then, as for the Senate, il is composed of two
classes of persons, nearly all of whom he APP
points, and most of whom he pays as he pleases.
But it is hardly worth while 10 waste words on
such document
The government Of France is despotism
more absolute by far than that which was over.
thrown in blood by the revolution of 1889 The
PRONUNCIATION of this constitution is very pro-
PeFly accompanied by DEGREES of exile against
about one hundred of the most able and distin.
guished statesmen Of France, without the allie.
CATION Of crime. Such is the work of a mar
who has just been elected by reported vote Of
nearly seven millions and.a half Of men, against
an opposition of something over half million
or nearly fifteen to one.
We have, however, no confidence in the &C.
curacy of the official returns of the late popular
vote Of France. The total vote is too large. IN
the most excited Of our Presidential elections
there never has been vote polled, more than
about half as large in proportion to our popula.
ton as this reported French vote. And it is, we
think, too absurd 10 believe, of human nature a.
of French nature, that almost the total adult
male population Of France should msnifest
enough moral activity TO go TO The, polls on
such an occasion, and yet that about fifteen
10 one voluntarily voted themselves a master
and yoke, and very respectable chance Of a
dungeon and exile. This reported majority for
the French usurper is also eontradicted by the
fact that about half the departments Of Franc,
have been declared in state Of feige, or under
martial law; for there could have been no neccssi
ty or excuse for such proceeding, If The vote haC
been so favorable. Still the simple fact thai
all effective opposition has been crushed in ;
community Of nine millions of men, by stand
ing army Of less than half million, j, proc
enough Of tngeneral submission, or approba
ton, Of the PEOPLE in reference to the coup detat
And the doctrine ofthe actual capability Of men
even Of civilized men generally, for self-goyern
ment, is utterly exploded.