promulgated by Louis Blanc; M. Horace Say, son of
the celebrated political economist, himself distinguished
by his acquirements in that science; M. Mortimer
Ternaux, ex–Deputy, for ten years the indefatigable
promoter of the interests of the department; M. Bourdon,
Colonel of one of the Parisian Legions of the National
Guards, decorated for his services in June, 1848;
M. Moreau, a counsellor in the Court of Cassation, who
owed his dismissal probably to his courageous protest in
behalf of law on the 2nd of December; and Paul
Delaroche, the eminent painter. To these men no
suspicion of Red Republicanism or Communism
attached. General Cavaignac has been liberated from
the fortress of Ham, and was married on new year's day
to Madlle. Odier, to whom he had been betrothed.
On the 6th, the President visited the Opera, with all
the pomp of the Imperial régime. The box occupied by
him was made out of three or four of the ordinary boxes,
which had been displaced for the purpose. It was
disposed in the form of a gorgeous dais, with velvet
hangings and gold ornaments, and projected over a portion
of the amphitheatre. The dais was surmounted by the
huge effigy of an eagle with spread wings, in gold.
Around the amphitheatre, immense tricoloured banners
were attached to the columns, with the inscription
"Honneur et Patrie." Upon the numerous banners
hung in the salle and the foyer more than 120 eaglets
were painted. The audience looked like the audience
of a garrison-town on some special occasion, and on an
enormous scale. There were comparatively few ladies,
and many of these were attired in the fashion of the
Empire. In the boxes were the Ambassadors of
England and Turkey, the Ministers of Russia, Naples,
Denmark, Spain, Prussia, America, &c.; in the
amphitheatre stalls, the Generals and Colonels of the Army;
in the orchestra stalls, the Mayors and Delegates; while
the wives of the Ambassadors and other ladies of
distinction occupied conspicuous places. With such an
entourage it was natural that Louis Napoleon should be
well received. A characteristic feature of the evening
was the performance of two old pieces of Gretry's, a
song of victory and a triumphal march, which were
always played when the Emperor Napoleon went to the
Opera.
The inscription of "Liberté, Egalité, et Fraternité,"
has been ordered to be effaced from public buildings
throughout France. The old names, public buildings,
places, and streets, changed during the revolutionary
period, have been restored: we have once more, for
example, the "Palais Royal," the "Théâtre Français,"
and the "Grand Opéra."
A decree has announced that the gold, silver, and
copper coin shall bear in front the effigy of the President,
with the words "Louis Napoleon Bonaparte." On the
reverse are to be engraved the words "République
Française," and round the edge "Dieu protége la
France."
The New Constitution, stated to be drawn up in
virtue of the powers delegated by the French people to
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte by the vote of 20th and 21st
December, 1851, has been officially published, along
with a proclamation dated the 14th instant. The
following is a summary of the terms of the Constitution.
It opens with the preamble:—
"The President of the Republic, considering that the French
people was called upon to pronounce on the following
resolution:—'The people wills the maintenance of Louis Napoleon
Buonaparte, and gives him the necessary powers to draw up a
Constitution, according to the laws established in his proclamation
of Dec. 2.' Considering that the laws proposed for the
acceptance of the people were—1. A responsible chief named
for ten years. 2. Ministers dependent on the executive power
only. 3. A Council of State formed of the most distinguished
men, preparing the law and supporting the discussion of them
before the Legislative body. 4. A Legislative body discussing
and voting the laws, named by universal suffrage, without
scrutin de liste, which falsifies the election. 5. A second assembly
formed of all the illustrious of the country, a power intended
to act as a counterpoise and guardian of the fundamental
compact and of public liberties. Considering that the people has
responded affirmatively by 7,500,000 votes. Art. 1. The
Constitution re-admits, confirms, and guarantees the great
principles proclaimed in 1789, and which are the bases of the public
right of the French."
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th articles repeat the preceding form
of government, with this new feature, however, that
Louis Napoleon styles himself "Prince," as well as
President. The articles from 5 to 18 inclusive, which
treat of the powers of the President, are as follows:
"The President is to preserve his present title; he is responsible
before the people, to whom he can always appeal. He is
the chief of the State; he commands the land and the sea forces.
He alone has the initiative of the laws, he has a right to declare
the state of siege, save the referring of it to the Senate. He
presents one message every year. No accusation can be brought
against Ministers but by the Senate. They are only responsible
for their respective duties. The functionaries take the oath of
obedience to the Constitution, and fidelity to the President. In
case of the death of the President, the Senate calls upon the
nation for a new election. The President has the right, by a
secret deed, deposited with the Senate, to designate to the
people the citizen whom he recommends to the suffrage. Until
the election of a new President, the President of the Senate
governs jointly with Ministers."
Articles 19 to 33 define the Constitution, duties and
powers of the Senate:
"The number of senators not to exceed one hundred and
fifty. It is fixed at eighty for the first year. The Senators are
named for life by the President. Their functions are performed
gratuitously; however, the President may grant a salary not
exceeding thirty thousand francs. The sitting of the Senate
not to be public. It regulates the constitution of colonies and
all that has not been provided for the Constitution. It may
propose modifications of the Constitution, but any modification
of the bases laid on the proclamation of December 2 will be
referred to universal suffrage."
Articles 34 to 46 establish the Legislative Corps:
"There will be a deputy to the legislative body for every
thirty-five thousand electors, elected by universal suffrage for
ten years, and receiving no emolument. All adopted amendments
to be sent, without discussion, before the Council of State,
and cannot be discussed if not equally adopted by this one.
The sittings will last three months. Reports of the sittings by
newspapers will be confined to the official reports of the
proceedings drawn up by the bureau. The president and the
vice-president are nominated by the President of the Republic
for a year. Ministers cannot be deputies. Petitions may be
addressed to the Senate, but none to the legislative body. The
President of the Republic convokes, adjourns, prorogues, and
dissolves the legislative body. In case of dissolution, a new one
to be convoked within six months."
The Council of State, and the High Court of Justice are
constituted as follows from articles 47 to 55:
"The Council of State, composed of forty or fifty members, is
nominated and presided over by the President, who may revoke
its members. They receive an annual salary of twenty-five
thousand francs. They draw out the project of laws, and discuss
them before the Legislature. There will be a High Court of
Justice, without appeal, before which will be tried all attempts
against the State or its chief."
The general and transitory provisions are these:
"Art. 56. The provisions of the codes, rules, and regulations
now existing, which are not opposed to the present Constitution,
remain in vigour untill they be legally abrogated. Art. 57. A
law shall determine the municipal organisation. The Mayor
shall be named by the Executive power, and shall be taken
from without the Municipal Council. Art. 58. The present
Constitution shall be in vigour to date from the day when the
Great Powers of the State organised by it shall be constituted.
The decrees issued by the President of the Republic, to
commence with the 2nd December to the present period, shall have
all the force of law."
Three decrees of proscription, against persons "whose
presence in France might impede the re-establishment
of tranquillity" appeared in the "Moniteur" of the 10th
inst. The first decree banished to French Guiana, for
taking part in the recent "insurrection," the ex-
Representatives Marc Dufraisse, Greppo, Miot, Mathé, and
Richardet.—The second decree, "as a measure of
general safety," banished "from the territory of the
Republic, from Algeria, and from the French colonies,"
sixty-six ex-Representatives, "whose residence in
France would be calculated to foment civil war." In
this list are many eminent names; Victor Hugo is
among the number.—The third decree, "as a measure
of general safety, banished temporarily from the French
territory and from Algeria," eighteen ex-Representatives,
"who have made themselves remarkable for their violent
hostility to the Government." This list includes the
names of Generals Changarnier, Lamoriciere, Leflo,
Bedeau, and Laidet; and those of Messieurs Duvergier
de Hauranne, Baze, Thiers, De Remusat, Emile de
Girardin, and several other distinguished persons.
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