“Such is my firm conviction.  If you share it, declare it by your votes.  If, on the contrary, you prefer a government without strength, Monarchical or Republican, borrowed I know not from what past, or from what chimerical future, answer in the negative.

  “Thus for the first time since 1804, you will vote with a full knowledge
  of the circumstances, knowing exactly for whom and for what.

  “If I do not obtain the majority of your suffrages I shall call together
  a New Assembly and shall place in its hands the commission which I have
  received from you.

“But if you believe that the cause of which my name is the symbol,—­that is to say, France regenerated by the Revolution of ’89, and organized by the Emperor, is to be still your own, proclaim it by sanctioning the powers which I ask from you.

  “Then France and Europe will be preserved from anarchy, obstacles will
  be removed, rivalries will have disappeared, for all will respect, in
  the decision of the People, the decree of Providence.

  “Given at the Palace of the Elysee, 2d December, 1851.

  “LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.”

  PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO THE ARMY.

“Soldiers!  Be proud of your mission, you will save the country, for I count upon you not to violate the laws, but to enforce respect for the first law of the country, the national Sovereignty, of which I am the Legitimate Representative.

“For a long time past, like myself, you have suffered from obstacles which have opposed themselves both to the good that I wished to do and to the demonstrations of your sympathies in my favor.  These obstacles have been broken down.

  “The Assembly has tried to attack the authority which hold from the
  whole Nation.  It has ceased to exist.

  “I make a loyal appeal to the People and to the Army, and I say to them: 
  Either give me the means of insuring your prosperity, or choose another
  in my place.

“In 1830, as in 1848, you were treated as vanquished men.  After having branded your heroic disinterestedness, they disdained to consult your sympathies and your wishes, and yet you are the flower of the Nation.  To-day, at this solemn moment, I am resolved that the voice of the Army shall be heard.

  “Vote, therefore, freely as citizens; but, as soldiers do not forget
  that passive obedience to the orders of the Chief of the State is the
  rigorous duty of the Army, from the general to the private soldier.

  “It is for me, responsible for my actions both to the People and to
  posterity, to take those measures which may seem to me indispensable for
  the public welfare.

  “As for you, remain immovable within the rules of discipline and of
  honor.  By your imposing attitude help the country to manifest its will
  with calmness and reflection.