Protest of fourteen members of the permanent commission of the national assembly against the decree of dissolution of April 24, 1873., May 6, 1873

Protest of fourteen members of the permanent commission of the national assembly against the decree of dissolution of April 24, 1873.

To the nation:

The undersigned, representatives of the nation, members of the permanent commission, constrained by motives of the highest patriotism to maintain a painful silence during the critical and exceptional days through which they have just passed, deem it an imperative duty of honor and dignity to declare before the nation:

• First. That until the time arrives when the dispersed and persecuted members of the commission may assemble and take suitable action, the undersigned protest publicly and solemnly against the decree of the 24th of April last, dissolving the permanent commission named by the national assembly in the act of the 11th of March preceding.
• Second. That they repel all the erroneous suppositions which have served as a pretext for such an unjust, violent, and unconstitutional proceeding.
• Third. That, laying their hands upon their breasts and pledging their word of honor, they affirm that in all their acts they have confined themselves strictly within the limits of the charge imposed upon them by the assembly.
• Fourth. That they have not for a single moment failed to show the executive power all the consideration and respect which the public powers owe to one another.

And lastly. That, individually and collectively, they reserve the right to exact full responsibility from the ministers of the executive power before the representation of the nation lawfully assembled, as well as the right to impeach before the bar of the justice of the nation the authors of the wrongful and scandalous outrage perpetrated on the night of the 23d of April.