The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-24

The Consultations of 1S4S and 1S51-Napo.
Icons Skill n Sintesman-His Surrender
Of Power-Past Precedents Compared with
Present Movements-The Senatus Con.
sultuni.
PARIS, August 7, 1892
Long before this reaches you the meeting Of the
French Senate will be announced to your readers to
take into consideration the notifications Of the con-
stiuton Of 1857 or course everybody is aware that
this constitution was the handlwork OF Napoleon,
Just after his election to the Presidency for sen years
in December, 1851, which Immediately followed the
coup d. etdt BY this election he was invested with
the sole power to fabricate constitution to super
sede that got up by the republicans in 1S4s. The
latter instrument threw the sovereign power into
the hands OF the single legislative body it created,
which controlled everything. The republicans never
doubted they would always be IN majority In this
Assembly, and consequently their constitution gave
1t the monopoly OF all power. When the State fell
into the hands OF Napoleon he initiated the example
set him by the republicans OF ls4s and the consttu
ton he promulgated in February, 1852, provided
that all power should be concentrated In him. He
created Senate to be nominated by himself, whose
functions were Insignificant. He ordained a legis-
latve body be elected every 1--WE years afterwards
changed to six years. by universal suffrage, but less
confident than the republicans in his control IT,
he took care to muZze 1t In such an ingenious way
that 1t could give hun no great trouble. Under this
constitution aforesaid Napoleon has welded abso-
lutte power over Of the most enlightened nations
OF the world and, perhaps, the one the most dlficut
TO govern FOR the period OF seventeen years, which
OF Itself Is fact displaying such political skill as TO
enlie him TO be regarded The great statesman OF
his epoch.
1t was clearly not from any vulgar love OF tyran.
meal power that Napoleon invested himself with
dicfatorlal control. His real object was 10 carry
out certain grand projects for which ne lelt himself
ordained Ii was not merely the rebuilding Of Paris
he aimed at, which would have contented Louis
XIV, whose ambition was limited to his own indul-
gence, witness the gorgeous palace OF versailles,
the construction or docks roads, canals or vast
Improvements in agriculture Doubtless Napoleon
had also In view other great results, that could be
accomplished only oy imperial power; such, Tor IN
stance as renodeling the foreign tarlI OF France,
which the republicans OF l54S did not venture 10
tuuch, lest they should arouse the formidable hos
tllty oil the manufacturers OF France, WHO had
exercised an unjust monopoly almost since the days
OF CoiOert IN the seventeenth century. In 1859
Napoleon uld not hesitate to incur the rage OF the
maiiulacurers by making commercial treaty with
Lhgiuiu Whien on many articles or French produce
tvn alnouhteu 10 nothing less than free trade This
ne cpusu never nave accomplished had O vote OF the
Legislature been necessary. for the manufacturers
win then wealth and influence had always pre.
Neited any legislative body from touchinQ their
class interests There ~ no doubt the Emperor has
come TO the conclusion that he has done all he can
erect and likely all that he ever houed for and for
THIS reason, as well as for the safety of hs dynasty
ne mas determined TO give up the absolute power ne
has 50 long and deXterOusly welded. This preamble
VIII explain the meaning OF the propositions he
sent on Monday last 10 the Senate, modifying his
constitution Of 1852 and dignGed by the sounding
tue of "a seadtts cOnsuttuin. or course these new
laws will pass the Senate, though possibly sons
obstinate conservatives may attempt an amend
ment. which will be voted uQon by the majority n