Ebe %pcctator
September 29, 1866
An absurd story is going the round of the papers about a constitution to be granted to his subjects by the Pacha of Egypt. It is to be on the French plan, with universal suffrage, Council of State. limited right of debate, and all the rest of it. If that is true, let the Egyptian bondholders look to it. for the object of that grotesque device must be to create a new taxing machine. The report is. however, in alt probability a mere Levantine canard. The true constitutional "Chamber" of every Asiatic country is the free Divan, to which notables are summoned as well as officials, and entitled to speak exactly what they think in the presence of the sovereign. To punish any- thing said on such occasions is considered an act of treachery and oppression, and such divans have often modified the course of the ruler. If the freedom of speech could be made perfect, the plan would work well enough.
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