The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-02-20

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cle. and soon abrogaied BY him. II is sex
planned" as some OF the Journals call
ID 81 the framer himself, in proclamation
which is also published, written in q man
ner which has not even the merit Of plausl-
bility.
In this proclamation il will be seen that |
the President claims Ia, have acted in con-
formity to the general tendency Of things in
France for the last eight centuries. France,
he tells us, is ga centralizing country In
France the power Of the State has been per
petually conyerging to a single centre, the
person of it's chief. This Chef therefore,
Is not only invested with large powers under
the constitution, but placed above 1t, and
made lis arbiser He takes, as our readers
will perceive, no oath to observe it, though
The form of an oath is provided for the Off
GERS who occupy all the other departments
OF the Government. He has the right oil
appeal to the people whenever he chooses,
and what he means by that he has already
shown by one example. II be should ever
find this constitution in his way, he may alb.
roga;e it at any moment, and, at the head OF
an army order mock election, by way OF
ratifyng some form Of Government which
better pleases his fancy. It's remarkable
that his proclamation should speak Of cen
tralization, as the great feature that is to
distinguish the new order of things, at a
ltime when Capitalization has become, to the
common understanding of all men, but an
other term for despotism-a term implying
that The people are completely divested OF
\ al agency in the administration Of public
affairs, even OF local nature.
To do this new scheme Of Government
Justice, it contains nothing, even in show,
Idiscordant with the tyranny it proposes TO
establish No shadowy pageant OF liberty
liz we except the mockery OF electinga pre-
tended represe NATIVE assembly, is set up to
amuse the people. This constitution makes
no pretence OF allowing freedom Of the
press, freedom Of speech, trial by jury, or
exemption from arrest except by due process
of law. The Senate consists Of members
appointed by the President, who hold their
places for life. If the President should find
a majority OF this body intrdctable, he may
make new appointments and thus change
the maiorit, at his pleasure. II he desires
TO purchase the vote of any member the
Constitution empowers him to allow that
member yearly salary of 10000 francs
out of the public treasury, os compensa-
ton for his services. The Senate has the
power of annulling laws which are contrary
to the Constitution, but constituted as it is,
with this liberal provision for direct venali-
ty, il is certain 10 become the mere instru-
ment OF the Presidents will in this as in
other respects.
The Ministry are the mere agents Of the
President, and they are impeachable only
by the Senate; in Other words, impeachable
only at his pleasure. The Council of the
Stale is made up of persons Immediately
dependent on the President, and sure tc
obey his caprices. He appoints ,hem viii
a salary Of twenty-five thousand francs year.
| ly, and takes away the office and the salar,
whenever any Of them may happen to dis
please him. lis prinripai business is Il
draw up the projects OF law, which he may
, desire to lay before the S.nate and what i!
called the Legislative Body.
The legislative body is TO be kept convent
emily smull, that il may be the more easl,
managed. 1t has no original powers; i
can receive no petitions from the people; i
r can only discuss the projects Of law laid be-
fore it, and vote to sanction or reject them
6 ii cannot amend them; it can neither add no
expunge any provision. Inso small a,body
never 10 be composed of more than 26l
e members, it will not be difficult for tn
I. Government, following the example o
6 Louis Philippe, TO corrupt sufficient mum
ber to secure perpetual majority.
II, however, the Assembly should prov,
i refractory and begin to discuss the laws il
a disloyal temper, it may be dissolved in
!. moment and a new election ordered. If il
. the new elections any Of the department
e should give evidence of disposition TO sen,
It representatives not acceptable to the Presi
e dent he may declare the department in
" state Of siege.
:" Meantime The debates Of the Legislativ
e Assembly are to be virtually private
re Whenever any question arises in which il
lie desired by the Government that the discus
N sion should be kept from the public know
=" edge, any five members may require tina
n the Assembly shall resolve itself into sc
in cret committee. The debates are never
of be laid before the public eye by the pres
J bare journal Of the proceedings, drawn u
. by the President of the Assembly,, a creatul
ce Of the Government, indebted TO it for b
nj appointment, is all that is TO be published.
n The election Of this body is all the pa
rv which the people are permitted to take
a. the affairs Of the government They a
ID simply allowed TO send to Paris a set of me
4. on whom no substantial power is conierre'
ge and whose slight agency in public affairs Il
3 Government is furnished with means
- controlling at its pleasure.-N Y. Post.
I'd - - --------
I'd Can the children of parents who are NUT