, are the permanent causes of trouble and discord, I
submit to your suffrage the following fundamental bases of a
Constitution which will be developed by the Assemblies later on:--

"1. A responsible Chief appointed for ten years.

"2. Ministers dependent upon the Executive Power alone.

"3. A Council of State composed of the most distinguished men, who shall
prepare laws and shall support them in debate before the Legislative
Body.

"4. A Legislative Body which shall discuss and vote the laws, and which
shall be elected by universal suffrage, without _scrutin de liste_,
which falsifies the elections.

"5. A Second Assembly composed of the most illustrious men of the
country, a power of equipoise the guardian of the fundamental compact,
and of the public liberties.

"This system, created by the first Consul at the beginning of the
century, has already given repose and prosperity to France; it would
still insure them to her.

"Such is my firm conviction. If you share it, declare it by your votes.
If, on the contrary, you prefer a government without strength,
Monarchical or Republican, borrowed I know not from what past, or from
what chimerical future, answer in the negative.

"Thus for the first time since 1804, you will vote with a full knowledge
of the circumstances, knowing exactly for whom and for what.

"If I do not obtain the majority of your suffrages I shall call together
a New Assembly and shall place in its hands the commission which I have
received from you.

"But if you believe that the cause of which my name is the symbol,--that
is to say, France regenerated by the Revolution of '89, and organized by
the Emperor, is to be still your own, proclaim it by sanctioning the
powers which I ask from you.

"Then France and Europe will be preserved from anarchy, obstacles will
be removed, rivalries will have disappeared, for all will respect, in
the decision of the People, the decree of Providence.

"Given at the Palace of the Elysee, 2d December, 1851.

"LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE."

PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO THE ARMY.

"Soldiers! Be proud of your mission, you will save the country, for I
count upon you not to violate the laws, but to enforce respect for the
first law of the country, the national Sovereignty, of which I am the
Legitimate Representative.

"For a long time past, like myself, you h