Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-13
FOREfGN POLICY-FRANCE-THE
s- COUNCIL OF STATE.


FoREfGN POLICY ERANCE-THE
~ COUNCIL OF STATE.
We spoke yesterday of the executive power
in France, composed Of the President and his
cabinet, and of the two first legislative powers,
the senate and the popular body. We have
now to describe the third one--the council OF
state.
The council Of state is thus defined by arti-
Gle 5Oth of the Constitution;
nThe council of state is under the direction
of the President Of the Republic, (now empe-
ror of the French.) It's functions are to pre-
pare projects Of law, and to discuss them before
the legislative body. The counsellors Of state
are selected by the President, and may be dis
missed by him. Their number will average
between forty and fifty"
Such were the three bodies created by Louis
Napoleon, to assist him in the government Of
the country First, the senate; second, the legis-
lative body; third, the council of state.
AS we have said, every one Of these bodies
was resuscitated from the institution Of the first
empire, and clothed with pretty much the same
power. AS to their influence upon public
opinion, it was nothing. All their attributes
tended to assist, support and strengthen the
principles of absolute power. Elected under
the immediate direction of the chief Of the
State, consequently ministering to his will, the
senate and council Of State could but reflect
the ideas and policy Of the President. AS to
the Legislative body, which seemed to emanate
from the will of the people, its attributes
were SO much restricted, its dependence on the
President SO great that it is questionable
whether the principle of popular SOVEREIGNTY
would not have been more respectable and re-
spected, had it not been called into action in so
trifing manner and to 80 little purpose. The
citizen of country, where universal suffrage
has its full sway, and is not as in France,
plaything in the hands Of an ambitious and
INSCRIPTIONS man, cannot but mourn over
losing the highest and noblest of his privileges,
and seeing them Knocked and laughed at by
one who calls himself always in derision, a
democratic emperor. &.
Besides the attributes already mentioned, en-
ioyed by the Senate, and which chiefly con-
sisted in opposing any law contrary to religion,
morals, religious freedom, individual liberty,
&C., 1t had also the right Of providing constr
tutions for Algeria and the French colonies,
and the privilege of proposing amendments to
the Constitution. But the amendment had no
value, unless it was accepted by the executive
power, in which case it was submitted to the
universal suffrage. (Act 81. 80 of the Con-
stitution.)
The Senate was to be composed Of cardinals,
marshals, admirals, and such citizens of the
State upon whom the President judged proper
to confer the dignity. Their functions were
nominal and gratuitous. It is discretionary
with the President, says article 22d Of the Con-
stitution, to grant to the..Senators who are en-
titled by services or by their want of means, to
an indemni6cation, a personal gift which can.
not exceed six thousand dollars year. 1t is
unnecessary for us to say that Louis Napoleon
uses that privilege in favor of the members
most devoted to his person. The President
and Vice President of the Senate are selected
among the Senators, and nominated by the
President of the Republic. Should the legis-
lative body be dismissed by the President, it
is the duty of the Senate to provide requisite
means for the welfare of the government.
The board OF the Senate was thus composed:
Prince jerome Bonaparte, Governor Of the
Invalids; first Vice President M. Mesnard,
president of the court of justice; Vice Presi-
dents M. M, Drouyn de Lhuys, now Secretary
Of Foreign Affairs, Troplong L. paraguay
d'Hilliers. There were besides, twenty gene.
rails elevated to the rank Of senator's, among
whom General st. Armand and Prime Of La
Moskowa, both of whom have been carried
away in the terrible war Of the Crimea.
Among the restrictions weighing upon the
Legislative body--for il is unnecessary to speal
Of its privileges-which, considering its con
strained position, are all Of negative charac
Ter, we must quote article forty Of the Con
stitution, which says that call amendment
! adopted by the committees of that body, in re
, ference to projects of laws proposed by th,
council Of State, will be sent back, withou
, discussion, to the same council, by the Presi
dent Of the legislative body. And in case thu
amendment be not adopted, il viii not be sub
mitted again to the deliberation Of that BODY
Consequently, the Legislative body has, d
; facto, no right to propose amendments, since
the freedom of discussion and the adoption o
the amendment which, in such case, consti
} tutes the right, is denied oft ts1sA s'a
The functions Of the members Of the legis
! lative body are N last six years They, in
deed, exist but in name. They have no RICH
: to receive petitions which in all cases must b,
directed TO the Senate. The President ant
Vice. President are selected by Louis Napoleon
Each thirty-fve thousand inhabitants are en-
titled TO representation, which now reacl
: about 200 members. No publication Of th
debates, except that prepared under the super
vision Of the President, is allowed ,si1sg &
Il Il -. NJ n n