The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-30


convicted and sentenced to Imprisonment In the
fortress OF Ham, After six years ne escaped. In
the year lS4S he entered Paris as republican revo-
luonist; In 1850 he was chosen by popular vote
President OF the republic OF France; In 1851 he dis
missed General Changarner VINO commanded the
Army OF Paris, and denounced the Legislative AS
sembly which had refused to pass several measures
which he urged, as "facrious and refractory"
During the summer months or the same year the
breach which had been thus created between the
Prince President OF France and the legislative repre-
senatives of the French people was evidenced.
Suddenly on the night Of the "a of December, 1851,
President Bonaparte declared Parts In state OF
SIEGE the Legislative Assembly was dissolved by de-
cree and $50 of the members were placed under.
rest and sent to prison. Citzens were sho, down
IN the streets of Paris by the sodery. The coup
d'etdt was completed Bonaparte then put forth
decree ordering the franchise by universal suffrage
and the election OF French President tor years.
Louis Bonaparte was elected.
In 1s52-November II and 22-the French people
asked to vote the restoration OF the empire by
peb,sCite. The votes were immensely in his favor
and he was declared Emperor by the title of Napo-
leon the Third. From that moment Napoleon the
Third welded supreme power actively In France to
the period OF his surrender OF his sword to the King
OF Prussia after Sedan, accompanying the act with
army and as am now without a command, l sur
render my sword to your Majesty.u
The King OF Prussia acknowledged his royal
brother in his misfortune. He has treated him a
monarch in exile here at Winelmshoh. He has per-
mitted his levees, Afforded access to his marshals
and forwarded royal correspondence from his
wife the Empress. in England, to his hands.
In all this the King OF Prussia appears to have
acknowledged the complete effect of the
FRENCH PLEBIsCiTEs.
OF these there were two looking towards the re-
establishment Of the French empire. The FIRST took
place by virtue OF proclamation addressed on the
ID OF December 1852, by Louis Napoleon President
OF the republic, to the French people. and pro-
posing the basis OF the constitution. The nation
having answered afflrmativey by 100000 votes.
the first constitution proclaimed on the l4th OF
January, 1852.
The second was proposed by the French Senate
to ratfy some changes In the constitution OF the
l4th OF January. These alterations referred to the
re-establishment OF the empire In favor of Prince
Louis Napoleon, President OF the republic and con-
ferred the hereditary right to the crown on the i'm
perial family Of Bonaparte.
third piebaso,te was had in April, 1870.
The ratification OF the act Of restoration Of the
empire was then voted by about eight millions OF
voices. notwithstanding the fact that seventeen radi-
manifesto to the nation previous the vote being
taken, in which they said:--
The I'd OF December laid France ostrate at the
feet OF single man. To-day personal government
The nation repudiates IT.. AT the last elections
the French people openly manifested It's sove-
situate for personal government the govern.
ment OF the country by the country. Does
tns new sSn. constitution, which the Exec utive
national WISH No The new constitution does not
establish the government OF the country by the
country, but merely ,pre.ends to do so. Personal
government is not destroyed; it preserves intact its
most formidable prerogatives For all these evils.
for msny long day, have grown out OF two pie6is-
cites OF KIND ike the one now demanded, which
were submitted to You eighteen years ago. Now,
as then, you were asked TO sign blank blil-the
alienation OF your sovereignty the concession OF
popular rights to a single man and single
rights OF future generations. In the name OF the
sovereignty OF the people ana the national dignity,
only be realized by the Cancellation of all interests
and all classes In the bosom OF free democracy
repudiate this new constitution; protest by mega
tive vote blank bulletin, or even by abstention-
every and any mode OF protest win serve the cause
OF LIBERTY. For our own parts we snail resolutely
Emmanuel Arago, D. Bancel, A. Cremleux. Des-
seux, Dorian. Esquiros. jules Ferry Gagneur, Leon
Gambetta, GARNER Pages Girault, Glais- bizoin,
jules Grevy, J. Magnin, Ordnaire, E. Pelletan and
Jules Simon, Deputies; Oh. Delesciuze, A. Duportal
Louis Jourdan, Andre LavertuJon Pierre Lefranc
A. Pcyrat Louis Ulbach and Eug ne Veron, dele
gates OF the democratic press OF Paris and the de-
partments.
such Is the claim OF Napoleon to a restoration In
France; such The grounds OF oppos ition OF many
OF his enemies
Our readers will answer. Can IL be effected?
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Exiied from France by popular acts at different
periods, his Royal Elghness Prince Henry Charles
Count de Chamoord, and his Royal Highness the
Count de Paris claim the throne Of Bonaparte.
They assert their derivation OF legitimacy and
rights from different sources; the first the heir OF
Charles X, the second the heir OF the late King
Louis Philippe.
Here we have again a conflict between divine
right and democracy,
1t is net probable, however, that 1t viii extend to
any serious degree as the French people are not
likely TO entertain either seriously.
THE FRENCH LEGISLATURE.
In this Assembly in reality the true source
OF power in France, as it is in the Paramens OF the
surrounding countries.
This power must be brought into efficient action
before settlement with Prussia can be brought
about
This can be eflected-Prussia authorizing or per.
hitting the elections-by the summoning OF the
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
Here would be had national representation of
France after general election, the people voting by
universal sunrage and the armies ceasing all opera
tons during the taking Of the poll.
THE CORPS LEGIsLArIF.
This parliamentary assemblage is almost coinci.
dent In its functions with a French National
Assembly.
The representation Is not SO numerous as that OF
the National Assembly but the French Senate-the
right arm OF Napoleon, through salaried appointees
Of mis- own-by which the democratic action OF the
lower house was parayzed, would be, 1t Is likely
wanting In its renewed formation.
LES CoNsEIJs GRNERAUx.
These assembages constitute the departmental
legislative bodies Of France They are local, or as
1t were, State assembages, when direct and con-
troll the rural affairs OF road making, taxation the
police, the administration OF the law anu other mat
tiers.