The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-15 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

THE DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS.

ANOTHER SPEECH BY M. THIERS.
(nos °us owl cosamosom.)
PARIS, THETEBDAT ESIMING.

In the Corps Legislatif to-day, M. Thiers made
another magnificent speech. The subject was the
system of official candidates, which M. Jules Fevre
treated of yesterday. M. Thiers commenced by
saying that he had no hope of carrying the amend-
ment, but that he rose in pursuance of a promise
and out of respect to the chamber. The first im-
pediment which he found in his way when he
wished to treat of the question was the fear of being
told that his argument denied the moral authority
of the chamber. To that he would answer that
a man must be out of his senses not to admit the
authority of a thing judicially decided by compe-
tent authority ; the chamber was, according to
the constitution, the supreme judge of the validity
of the elections ; and be submitted to their judg-
ment, not merely in a legal sense, but with un-
feigned and profound respect. (Applause.) He
declared to the majority—and at his age he had
no need to flatter anybody—that he respectfully
bowed to their authority. He did not share all
their opinions. He was likely to be called
upon frequently, to his great regret, to
vote against them, but he could truly say, now
that he had been for two months a member cf that
chamber, that he had the fullest belief in the
honesty of their intentions. He would beg leave here
to make a alight criticism, but it must be strictly by
their permission. (Cries of "Speak, speak.")
What he wanted to tell them was that they were a
power which had not as yet been much exposed to
contradiction, and therefore it seemed strange and
surprising to them. When, like him, they had passed
the greatest part of their lives in the face of
contradiction they would bear it better. (Marks
of adhesion on several benches.) Coming to the
matter in hand, he would say at once that the
government had gone too far, both in principle and
practice, in the conduct of the elections. He might
be told that he was an incompetent witness, be-
cause he complained of what had been done
against himself and his friends. That was to some
extent true, but then the argument might be,
retorted upon the majority who had benefitted
by the course that had been pursued. (Sensation.)
He was encouraged to think his opinion on the
subject not altogether wrong by the fact that the
minister who had managed the elections was no
longer a minister. He could not persuade himself
that the government would have been so cruel as
to separate itself from that statesman without
good cause. If he were told that since M. de
Persiguy was no longer Minister of the Interior, it
was out of place to criticise his acts, he would
gladly accept the suggestion if be saw any signs
of a change of system. But unfortunately tide
was not the case ; on the contrary, what had
lately occurred iu the Bas Rhin proved an ob-
stinacy in the course which be condemned which
almost amounted to bravado. But for this ob-
stinacy be should not have spoken on this occa-
sion. He fully admitted the right of the govern-
ment to declare its preference for particular
candidates.

(11011211 TZCZOIL&L)

PARIS, JAN.I4.

The debate on the address was continued in the
Corps Ldgislatif to-day, the discussion of the elec-
tions being resumed.
M. Thiers supported the amendment of the oppo-
sition respecting the elections. He attacked the
principle of official mudidaturea, and expressed
much respect for the rights and origin of the majo-
rity, but regretted the abuses of the administration
and the introduction of the name of the Emperor
into the candidatures. He was only able to under-
stand official candidatures upon the condition of
every kind of liberty being respected. K Thiers
pointed out the abuses of power with which the
opposition charged the government, and ended by
declaring his opinion that universal suffrage will
prove the safeguard of the country. (Loud inter-
ruption.) The speaker explained that his remark
was not intended as a threat, but merely as a
warning.

M. Rouber declared that there was no difference
in the views of MM. Thiers and Jules Fevre, and
showed that the right of the government to inter-
fere in the elections was absolute, and had existed
under all governments. The minister then drew a
picture of the elections under preoeding adminis-
trations, and criticised the conduct of the opposition
party, his remarks calling forth the eurgetic
applause of the majority. lie declared plainly that