New-York tribune., 1870-04-25


nation by the Emperor:
Erepcbsaen The Constitution of 1852, drawn up in
,rtue of the powers which you gave me- and ratified
by the eight millions of votes which reestaDhshed
the Empire has procured for France Is years OF calm
and prosperity which have not been without glory.
II has insured ORDER and left the way open to all I'M
proyements Thus the more security has been con-
6rmcd. the larger is the part it has taken in the
progress of liberty. But successive changes have
altered the bases plebiScdbe which cannot be modl-
bed without an appeal to the nation
1t becomes indispensable, then, that the new constr
tutional pact shall be approved by the people, as
were formerly the Constitutions of the Republic and
Of the Empire. At those two epochs it was believed,
even as myself believe to-day that anything done
without YOU was ilegitimate The Constitution of
imperial and democratic France may be reduced to
small number of fundamental provisions which can
not be changed without your consent Your decision
will have the advantage of rendering definite the
progress already made, and of placing beyond the
influence of political fluctuations the principles OF
the Government.
Time lost too often in barren and embittered con-
troversies may be more usefuly employed hereafter
in increasing the moral and material wellbeing of
the greatest number. address myself to all of you
who from the 10th Of December, 1913, suTnOunted
all obstacles to place at your head; to you who,
for twenty-five years, have, without cessatlCn
guarded me by your sufTages, sustained me by your
cooperation, rewarded me by your affection Give
me new proof of confidence in bringing to the bal
lot-box an Affirmative vote. You VIII exercise the
menaces of revolutions You viii place order and lib
erty on a solid basis and you will render easier in
the future the transmission of the crown to my
son. You have almost unanimously for eighteen
years clothed me with the most extensive
powers be also equally unanimous to-day in sup
porting the transformation of the imperial regime
great nation has no way Of attaining its develop
ment without resting on institutions which guaran-
tee at the same time stability and progress. To the
call which make on you to ratify the liberal re-
forms realized during the last ten years reply yes
As for myself faithful to my origin, shall continue
penetrated by your thought, and fortified by your
will and, confding in Providence, shall work with
out cessation for the prosperity and grandeur of
France. NAPOLEON
The PROCLAMATION of the Emperor is received with
enthusiastic cOmmendaton ly the organs of the
Court the Ministry, and NJ. ROuher. Other journals
even those which counsel an affirmative vote on the
PlobScitn are cold in their expressions. The Leglu-
msts will partly vote no, and partly abstain from
voting. Public meetings for the discussion of the
Plcbiscitum commenced to-day. Two meetings
which were called yesterday for other political OBJ
jects were dissolved.
TIE DECREE OF TIE PLEBTsCITUM-WHEN AND
HOW 1T Is TO BE YOTED-ARMY AND NAVY
TO TAKE PART IN IT-BfPERIAL AND MINIS
TERIAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND
RADICALS TO VOTE IN THE NEGATIYE-A
GENERAL sTRIKE-MANIFESTO OF THE WORK
INGMEN-A NEW PLANET.
PARIS, Saturday, April %, 1870
The Journal OGiciel contains the Imperial decree
calling upon the people of the nation to accept or
reject the project of the following Plebisctum the
5th Of May next:
The people approve the liberal reforms which have
been effected in the Constitution since 1860 by the LIN
pcrcr with the concurrence of the great legislative
bodies Of the State and ratily the SnataS ConSuum OF
April 20, 1870
Ohe parts Of the decree contain directions for the
manner Of voting. The ballot-boxes viii be opened
st o'clock in the morning and remain open until
in the evening The canvass of the votes Will com
mcnce Immediately after the close of the balotng.
The form of the vote will be "Yes" and /" No." on
paper The legal electors of the army and navy Will
vote at their place Of garrison or residence at the
time of election. The returns OF the vote IN each
Department will be canvassed in public session by
three Conselors-General appointed by the Projects
of the Departments. The general returns from all
the Departments will be finally canvassed In the
Corps Legislatif. The decree is signed by all the
ministers and bears date April 3D. This Is followed
by another Decree containing directions relative to
AlgioIs.
Following this again is the text of the S'adtus Con-
,Ir fixing the Constitution of the Empire as voted
by the Senate at the session Of April 90 and circu
Lar from the Minister Of the Interior to the Projects
Of the various Departments dated April 20, author
uinr the public assemblies for the discussion of the
new Constitution These assemblies will hold ses-
sons from the 29d of April to the Sd of May, and
every cectOr without regard to the precinct or de-
partnent which ne may be in at the time, will have
the hight 10 participate in the deliberation.
The circular while it permits the use of advertise
ments and pacards treating of the Constitution be
cause the law protects the of political pacards,
recommends the Projects TO leave TO the electors
under the conditions of respect for law and public
order the broades latitude for the discussion and
propagation of political opinions.
1t is also reported that the ministerial manifesto
will merely announce the adhesion of the Cabinet to
the Emperors proclamation committee of Legti-
mists at their public meeting yesterday, resolved to
vote against the Plebiscitum The manifestOes of
the International Association and the Federal Cham
ber Labor Societies of Paris issued to-day, recon-
mend TO members and others 10 abstain from voting
altogether the 9TH of May In all the districts OF
/ Paris the former electoral and democratic commit
! tees have been reformed.
The MOEiteUr lthe organ Of the Left Center
out to-day in favor Of voting afirnatvely, and the
FTdnCQ also organ of the Left Center party an
nounces that many members Of that party are
solved to vote no. because their adhesion is requested
TO the Senatgs COnsultum, well to the proposed
reforms The UniUTs (Ultramontane Journal saws it
has yet taken decided position in regard to the
Plebiscitum, because il wishes 10 ascertain first what
will become Of the unsatisfactory points which are
now visible in that measure.
One Of the manfestOes issued by the labor socie-