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NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION
On the 24th of June, a Committee was
appointed to report a New Constitution for France (No. 11 since
1789). This
committee soon after reported, and the plan was accepted.
The leading features of this instrument are not very dissimilar
to many of those which have preceded it. It contains a "Bill
of Rights" not unlike that in the Constitution of
Massachusetts. All the titles of Nobility, old and new, are
abolished: But the Monarch, like the British King, is to have the
right to create as many Peers as he may think proper: But the
French Peers are to have a fixed revenue, which is transmissible
with the title. The Legislative Power is to consist of a Monarch,
Peers and Representatives, having checks upon each other; with
the usual control of the executive authority over the sessions.
The Representatives, like the present, are to be appointed by
Electoral Colleges, and these last to be chosen by the people,
legally qualified, in their town meetings. There are some
restrictions on the exercise of the Monarch's power, which, if
new, and Louis would consent to them, would be salutary.
The basis of the Constitution is limited Monarchy: But there are
no provisions in it for the appointment, selection, or summons of
the Monarch; nor any particular title appropriated to him. This
omission makes it highly probable that the Legislative Body were
well aware, that no power existed in France to prevent Louis
XVIII from assuming and holding his throne; and from the omission
they calculated he might be better enabled and disposed to accept
it; and virtually renounce the doctrine of divine right which
Kings assume, and which is extremely galling to the Constitution-mongers
of the present age.
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