Page:The Constitutions and Other Select Documents Illustrative of the History of France, 1789-1907, Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged.pdf/284

254 375. None of the powers instituted by the constitution has the right to change it in its entirety or in any of its parts, saving the reforms which can be effected by way of revision in accordance with the provisions of the title xiii.

376. The citizens shall recall without ceasing that it is upon the wisdom of the choices in the primary and electoral assemblies that the duration, preservation and prosperity of the Republic principally depend.

377. The French people entrust the safe keeping of the present constitution to the fidelity of the legislative body, the Executive Directory, the administrators and the judges; to the vigilance of the fathers of families; to the husbands and the mothers; to the affection of the young citizens; to the courage of all the French.

 51. Law against Public Enemies.

April 16, 1796 (27 Germinal, Year IV). Duvergier, Lois, IX, 79–80.

The period of the Directory (1795–1799) was marked by numerous harsh measures against the classes denominated public enemies. This law shows some of the classes which were regarded as public enemies and the character of the penalties employed against them. See also No. 56.

Aulard, Révolution française, 580–581.

1. All those are guilty of crime against the internal security of the Republic and against the personal security of the citizens, and shall be punished with death, in conformity with article 612 of the code of offences and penalties, who, by their discourse or by their printed writings, whether distributed or posted, seek to effect the dissolution of the national representation or that of the Executive Directory, or the murder of all or any of the members who compose them, or the re-establishment of the monarchy, or that of the constitution of 1793, or that of the constitution of 1791, or of any government other than that established by the constitution of the Year III, as accepted by the French people, or the invasion of public properties, or the pillage or partition of individual properties, under the name of an agrarian law, or in any other manner. 