ADDEESS TO THE FEEHTCH PEOPLE. 291

The presidential election was to be held on the 10th
of December. Louis Napoleon was among the candi-
dates, and he lost no time in issuing the following
address to the French people.
"Fellow Citizens, — In order to recall me from
exile, you elected me a representative of the people.
On the eve of your proceeding to the election of chief
magistrate of the republic, my name presents itself to
you as a symbol of order and security.
" These testimonies of a confidence so honorable, are
due, I am aware, much more to the name which I bear
than to myself, who have as yet done nothing for my
country; — but the more the memory of the Emperor
protects me, and inspires your suffrages, the more I
feel my'sejf called upon to make known to you my
sentiments and principles. There must not be any
thing equivocal in the relations between us.
"I am not an ambitious man, who dreams at one time
of the empire and of war ; at another of the adoption
of subversive theories. Educated in free countries,
and in the school of misfortune, I shall always remain
faithful to the duties which your suffrages, and the will
of the Assembly, may impose upon me.
" If I am elected president, I should not shrink from
any danger, from any sacrifice, to defend society,
which has been so audaciously attacked. I should
devote myself wholly, without reserve, to the confirm-
ing of a republic, which has shown itself wise by its
laws, honest in its intentions, great and powerfnl by
its acts.
