ADDRESS OF EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE#
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HIS MAJESTY EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE I, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE PRINCES AND DIGNITARIES, THE BISHOPS AND HEADS OF THE CLERGY, ETC., ON TIE OCCASION OF THE SIGNING OF THE ETHIOPIAN EMPIRE’S CONSTITUTION, ON THE 9th HAMLIE OF THE YEAR OF GRACE 1923 (July 16, 1931).
We, who have been invested by the will of God with the mission of protecting Ethiopia, have judged that it was not sufficient to glorify the Almighty, who has conferred this great honor upon Us, merely by words nor to express our feelings by acts insignificant, ephemeral and subject to oblivion.
Although the efforts We have made to establish a lasting Constitution advantageous to all — a Constitution which can be passed on to the generations to come — are but the incomplete expression of Our gratitude to the Almighty, We have chosen to have you assemble here at the present hour to reveal to you the work We have created but the accomplishment of which We must leave to Almighty God.
Everyone Icnows that laws bring to men the greatest benefits, and that everyone T s honor and well-being depend upon the wisdom of the laws, whereas depravity, shame, iniquity and denial of justice result from the non-existence or insufficiency of laws.
The Lord, who is above every creature, although he possesses the omnipotence to direct everything only according to His will, has none the less willed to establish the law and to submit all creation to it.
He among men who is worthy of praise is he who, animated by just sentiments, perseveres in the path of justice and endeavors within the limit of his powers to improve the conditions of men — if not of all of them at least of the greater number among them.
Although divers reasons have prevented the accomplishment of Our plan, Our constant efforts for several years have tended to establish, among other things, a Constitution. The idea which has so pre- occupied Us, in view of the welfare of Ethiopia and of Our beloved people, and which has been the object of our untiring perseverance, is formulated as follows:
To grant a constitution to all the Ethiopian people.
To enforce and preserve it.
The main provisions of this Constitution which we grant to the Ethiopian people are the following:
Ethiopia shall remain united like the members of one family, without divisions. It shall be ruled in common by a Constitution and governed by an Emperor. The strength of this accord shall be based upon the community of interests in such a way that the individual, without there resulting for him any loss or injury, may understand the strength of union and the advantages which he may derive from it for the safeguard of his private interests, and at the same time giving up any plan for personal ambition contrary to the public welfare.
The law shall be enforced upon all, without exception, -whether it rewards or punishes.
It is not amiss to point out that in the past the Ethiopian people, completely isolated from the rest of the world was in a backward state which justified for its Sovereigns the obligation to govern it as a good father governs his children. But the considerable advances in all spheres of activity realised by Our subjects, allow their Emperor to state that the grant- ing of a Constitution is not premature, and that the moment has come for them to collaborate in the over- whelming task which the Sovereigns alone have hitherto accomplished. It is necessary that the modern Ethiopian accustom himself to collaborate in the workings of the whole machinery of the State. It is in this spirit that We have resolved, in order that all those who are worthy of it may participate therein, to set up two Houses whose members will be appointed according to provinces at the pleasure of His Majesty the Emperor. Decisions will be made by majority in these two Houses, and will have the force of law only when approved by His Majesty the Emperor.
The responsible Ministers will have the duty of executing throughout Ethiopian territory all decisions resulting from the deliberations of the Houses, duly approved by His Majesty the Emperor, in conformity with the interests of the State and of the people •
With a view to eliminating all uncertainty with regard to the succession to the Throne, and in order to avoid causing greatest injury to Ethiopia, the right to the Imperial Throne is reserved by this Constitution to the present Dynasty.
The ultilitarian objects of law being the development of the progress of the people according to the loftiest and surest principles, these laws should be inspired by scientific methods having as their purpose the harmonious improvement of all things.
The present Constitution has not been wrought haphazardly; it is not contrary to the customs of the country. It is inspired by and comes near the prin- ciples of other civilized peoples. It has been studied with the help of the Princes and Dignitaries, and with the collaboration of Our Most enlightened subjects.
Man’s power is limited to beginning his enter- prises, it remains with God alone to lead them to good results. We hope to obtain the Lord’s help to enforce this Constitution and to allow Us to accomplish the task we have assumed.
Last, We wish to thank the Diplomatic and Consular Corps for having kindly given by their presence more splendor to the solemnity of this happy day on which we have set Our hand to this Constitution of Oar Realm.