1715. CONSTITUTION (French), Divergent views on.—
The plan of a constitution
was discussed in sections, and so reported
from time to time, as agreed to by the committee.
The first respected the general frame
of the government; and that this should be
formed into three departments, Executive Legislative
and Judiciary, was generally agreed.
But when they proceeded to subordinate developments,
many and various shades of opinion
came into conflict, and schism, strongly marked,
broke the Patriots into fragments of very discordant
principles. The first question: Whether
there should be a King? met with no open opposition;
and it was readily agreed that the government
of France should be monarchical and
hereditary. Shall the King have a negative on
the laws? Shall that negative be absolute or
suspensive only? Shall there be two Chambers
of Legislation, or one only? If two, shall one
of them be hereditary? or for life? or for a
fixed term? and named by the King? or elected
by the people? These questions found strong
differences of opinion, and produced repulsive
combinations among the Patriots. The Aristocracy
was cemented by a common principle
of preserving the ancient régime, or whatever
should be nearest to it. Making this their polar
star, they moved in phalanx, gave preponderance
on every question to the minorities of the
Patriots, and always to those who advocated
the least change. The features of the new constitution
were thus assuming a fearful aspect,
and great alarm was produced among the honest
Patriots by these dissensions in their ranks.—
Autobiography. Washington ed. i, 103.
Ford ed., i, 144.
(1821)
—CONSTITUTION (French), Jefferson's
Bill of Rights for.—See Bill of
Rights.
