Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-11-15
FRANCE.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


sembly met to-day at Versailles
President MacMahon sent a message
to the Assembly, which was read
shortly after the re-opening. The
message begins with congratulations
on the liberation of the territory and
the maintenance of order, and con-
tinues as follows:
Europe is assured that we are
firmly resolved to preserve peace /;
therefore without fear she sees us re-
sumo possession of our territory
The Administration has always acted
in the conservative spirit which ami
mates the great majority of the As
sembly, from which 1 never depart.
Agitation of the pnbic redOubied in
interest as the period of your reas-
sembly approached, because it was
requisite to discuss the constitutional
bills, which necessarily involve tie
question of the form of the Govern
ment. had neither to intervene in
these discussions, nor to forestall
your sovereign decision, but merely
to cOntine the former within legal
limits, and provide that the latter
should be respected. Your power,
therefore, Is intact; nothing can i'm
pair its exercise. Perhaps, however,
You may think that in the present
situation, with party feeling so strong,
the establishment of any definite form
of government presents serious diff
culties, and that ii would be more
prudent to maintain the existing in
situations. If so, permit me, If elect
ed to an honor which 1 did not seek,
to tell You frankly my opinion: To
thoroughly insure the public peace,
the Government absolutely lacks two
things. essential conditions of efficien-
CIV; it has neither sufficient vitality
nor authority. It can do nothing du-
rable. Ii the rights Of the Govern
meut are daily questioned, with its
powers liable to be changed at any
moment, it can secure peace today,
but not safety tomorrow. Great IN
dertakings are impossible. Industry
languishes. We are unable to restore
that confidence abroad which Is nee
essary to the restoration of the great
ness of the nation. The Government
lacks authority, for 1t is unable even
TO obtain obedience from its own
agents, or to repress the excuses of
the Journals, which are cOrrupting the
public mind. You Will consider
these dangers, and create Il strong,
durable executive, which con energet-
ically defend society"
MOTION TO EXTEND MAClIAHoS's
TERM.
The Deputies of the right warmly
cheered the message. The right
moved that the executive power be
conferred on Marshall acMahOn for
ten years that he continue to main
tain the present form of government
until the constitutional bills are voted
on; and that a committee of thirty
be appointed to examine the bills.
PLEBIsCIIE CALLED FOR.
Baron Eschasseriaux (Bonapartist)
moved that the people be called upon
to decide on January I, 1874, whether
the Monarchical, the Republican, or
the Imperial form Of government
shall be adopted.
This motion excited considerable
debate. It was moved that 1t be de-
clared urgent, and the motion for ur-
gency was supported by Theirs and
the Deputies on the left, but was de-
feated.
IAhiS, Nov. U.-Lue Assembly To-
day, by unanimous vote, elected NJ.
Buffet as its President, the entire left
rising as the vote was announced. NJ.
Leon Say submitted an Interpolation
on the failure of the government to
order elections to fill vacancies in the
Assembly within the time prescribed
by law. Thursday next was assigned
for debate on the Interpolation. The
left have been given a majority in six
of fifteen bureaus. a new motion for
plebiscite on form of government is