Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 7.djvu/129



After having laid down this principle, you applied it to each article of my decree. I shall follow the same route. I shall first discuss the general principle; I shall then examine the application which you have made of it to the exercise of the right of war and peace; lastly, I mean to follow you step by step in your criticism of my decree.

You assert that we have two distinct delegates, the one for action, the other for will: I deny it.

The executive power, in whatever relates to action, is certainly very distinct from the legislative; but it is not true that the legislative body is entirely independent of the executive power, even when it is expressing the general will.

In fact, what is the organ of that general will, according to the Constitution? It is, at once, the assembly of the national representatives or the legislative body, and the representative of the executive power; and it takes place in the manner following: The legislative body deliberates, and declares the general will; the representative of the executive power has the twofold right, either of sanctioning the resolution of the legislative body (and such sanction consummates the law), or of exercising the veto which is granted to it for a certain time; and the Constitution has determined that, during this period, the resolution of the legislative body shall not be law. It is, therefore, inaccurate to say that our Constitution has established two delegates entirely distinct, even when the