This body
will therefore be a mere council of revision. It is proposed that they
shall be of a certain age and property, and be for life. They may
make them also their court of impeachment. They will suppress the
parliaments, and establish a system of judicature somewhat like that of
England, with trial by jury in criminal cases, perhaps also in civil.
Each province will have a subordinate provincial government, and the
great cities, a municipal one on a free basis. These are the ideas
and views of the most distinguished members. But they may suffer great
modifications from the Assembly, and the longer the delay, the greater
will be the modifications. Considerable interval having taken place
since any popular execution, the aristocratic party is raising its head.
They are strengthened by a considerable defection from the patriots,
in consequence of the general suppression of the abuses of the 4th of
August, in which many were interested. Another faction too, of the most
desperate views, has acquired strength in the Assembly, as well as out
of it. These wish to dethrone the reigning branch, and transfer the
crown to the Duke d'Orleans. The members of this faction are mostly
persons of wicked and desperate fortunes, who have nothing at heart
but to pillage from the wreck of their country.
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