Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-02-13
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURSDAY MoRSISG. FEBRUARY I2. 1854
THE NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION.

THE NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION.
We have already laid before readers this precious doc
ument, which be quasi copy of an OLD consu
ton imposed upon the country by the Urano Emperor
The "nenhew of his uncle" in his explanatory procama
tion bases his scheme Of government upon the hc tina
France has ever been 81 cen,raizng couary'-and III
carries out this idea It's utmost in for he makes TIT
whole power of the State converge to single CENTRE 'h
nsrson of It's chief who Is only invested with enor
NOUS powers tho Constitution but placed above
and made ts judge and executor He tells his crouchnE
vussals that hs present Constitution has fixed only wha
was impossible leave uncertain II has not cncioset
within an impossible circle the desnies OF great people
il has left change margin sufficiently wide 10 allow, II
grea, cses other of safety 10 be employed, than
| the disastrous exped:ent Of revolutions"
Wha, does this mean but that hoc Is ia margin sum
cieny wide" to change the whole plan OF government
and introduce titles belonging to the Empire or The
most absolute form of government
brief summary Of the chief provisions Of their ho-oed
Constitution, may not be unins:ruc.ive II Is suncen 70
lhem In order to draw down the dcnuncat!on OF
every friend of well regulated constitutional government
The President says the Now York Evening Post whose
abstract udop takes oath observe the constitution
though tho form Of oath provided for the ohcers who
occupy all the othor departments OF the government lie
has the right appeal to the people whenever he chooses
anu what ne means oY tnat ne eho"h W
example Ii he should find this constitution in his way
he may abrogate It at any moment and at the head of an
army order mock election by way of raying some form
which better peases his fancy lts remarka
BILE that his proclamation should speak of cenraizaton
the great feature that 10 distinguish the new order OF
things, at time when Capitalization has become, 10 the
undersandngof all but another term or des-
potism-a implying that the people are completely d.
vested of oil agency 10 the administration Of public affairs
even of local nature
To this scheme Of government justice contains,
nothing even in show, dscordant with the tyranny II
proposes to establish No shudowy pageant of liberty if
except the mockcy of ecctng pretended representa-
tive assembly, up the people. This consu-
ton uakes pre,ence of allowing freedom Of the pes'
freedom Of speech trial by jury exemption from arrest,
except BY process law The Senate consists men,
bsrs appointed by the President who hold their places for
life.
II the Peslden should find majority of this body ntrec-
table may make appointments and thus change the
majority his pleasure If he desires to purchase the vote
Of any member the Constitution empowers him 10 allow
that member yearly salary of 10000 francs out Of the pub
lie treasury as q compensation for his services The Sc
nate has the power Of annung laws which contrary to
the Constitution but constituted s with this liberal
provision for direct venny is certain become the mere
instrument the Presidents will in this as in other
spects.
The Ministry tho agents Of the President, and
they ore mpeachablc only by the Senate; in other words
impeachabe only his pleasure The Council Of State is
made up of persons Immediately dependent the President
and sure obey his caprces He appoints them with ,a
larry thousand francs yearly and takes away
the Office and the salary whenever any of them may happen
TO dsplease him. It's principal business is 10 draw up the
projects OF law which he desire to lay before the Sc
nate and what is called the Legislative body.
The legislative body small,
| it may be the easily managed. 1t has original
powers receive petitions from the people; 1t
only discuss the projects OF law laid before H. and vote TO
sanction reject them amend hem 1t can neither
add expunge provision In so small body never
TO be composed Of than 260 members, II will not be
difficult the following the example of Louis
Philippe to corrupt sufficient number perpetual
majority.
IT. however the Assembly should prove refractory and be-
gin 10 discuss the laws in dsloyal temper be dis
solved in and election ordered. II In the
new elections any Of the departments should give evidence
OF disposition send representatives not acceptable 10 the
President may declare the department In state OF siege
Meantime the debates Of the Legislative Assembly are TO
be virtually private Whenever question arises in which
is desired by the that the discussion should
be kept from the public knowledge any five members may
require that the Assembly sha resolve itself into secret
committee The debates be laid before the
drawn up BY the Prcsden. of the Assembly creature Of
the Government, Indebted 10 II lof MS appointment ~
all that is to be published
The election of this body all the part which the people
are permitted 10 take in the affairs o! the government
They are simply allowed send Paris set OF men on
whom substantial power s conferred and whose slight
agency in public affairs the government Is furnished with
means Of controlling a, It's pleasure.
In a word as the London News Gays, the French
Constitution complete Dictatorship. 1t is the most
audacious of humbugs degnng take The trouble to
cover with decent veil the nukedness OF desPosm.-
All that it attempts is temper arbitrary power, but 10
associate and i'm, ,cale with all those notable capable
men who consent TO barter independence for office and who
submit TO wear The despots livery in for liberty 10
share with the dictator spos of the Stale No honest
or upright will take office under such mock Con"
stltuon and if sufficient number Of Frcnchmen OF edu-
cation and capacity found do all we say Is that
this will stamp ndebls disgrace upon France without add
ing TO the durability consistency of government which
ia anachron,sm age and disgrace TO the country in
whose history il muet survive injcibe humiliation
So long as the Dictator maintain the control OF the
military power he may keep his central despo1lsm from
crumbng pccee-but cannot believe that tho French
people have los, their sp-have become 40 brusazed
,ered-as submit for long trial. TO such gross and
imposture If they do they only worthy 10 be
| ruled by such rckstcr.
THE WHEELING BRIDGE CASE.
Judges Taney and Daniel ssen,ed from the opinion of the
last u S. Supreme Court declaring the bridge OBJ
strucon to the river. The majority of the Court also held
;ha, Pennsylvania through her public works has been In
ured because the navigation of Ohio has been obsuc
led and that being injured Pennsylvania has right
claim that Court of Chancery shall the obstruction
be removed in vndcaon and protection of her rights Ii
further set forth that the obstruction chiefly operative as
to seven packets plying between Psburg Cincinnati
whose passage under the BRIDGE few feet above the or