The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-30 00:00:00

TUESDAY EVENING,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

OPENING OF THE FRENCH
CHAMBERS.
The ceremony of opening the French Chambers took
place yesterday. At one o'clock the PRINCE PRESI-
DENT set forth from the Elysee in a carriage surrounded
by a guard of honour composed of the Carabineers.
Many cried " Vive Napoleon" as he passed along, but
there was nothing like zealous or extravagant enthu-
siasm. At the Tuileries a double line of soldiers was
drawn up within the court, and the grand staircase was
lined with Gendarmerie Mobile. All the time the can-
non fired as in the time of the monarchy.
The scene in the Salle des Mareechaux was very
imposing, seats covered with crimson velvet were
arranged for the members of the different corps,
and at the top, in the centre, a sort of dais was
formed, composed of crimson velvet, with a gold
eagle; the gallery, hung also with crimson velvet,
was allotted exclusively to the ladies. A little
before one o'clock the Corps Legislatif were introduced
and took their seats on the left of the raised fauteuil of
the PRINCE PRESIDENT; very few of the members were
in costume. The Corps Diplomatique, the Senate, and
the Council of State were severally introduced and took
their seats—the Ambassadors on the right of the room,
and the Senate on the right front of the Presidential
chair. As soon as all were seated, the PRINCE PRESI•
DENT entered in the full dress of a general officer, at-
tended by his Ministers and by a staff of general officers,
colonels of regiments, councillors of state, &c. His re-
ception was of the warmest kind. Having bowed with
great affability on all sides, ho proceeded to read, stand-
ing and uncovered all the time, the following Installa-
tion Speech:—
" Messieurs the Senators, and Messieurs the Deputies,
" The Dictatorship which the people confided to late ceases
to-day. Things are about to resume their regular course.
It is with a sentiment of real satisfaction that I come to pro-
claim here the establishment of the Constitution; for my
constant pre-occupation has been not only to re-establish
order, but to render it durable by endowing France with in-
stitutions adapted to her wants.
" Only a few months ago, as you will recollect, the more I
endeavoured to confine myself within the circle of my attri-
bution, the greater were the efforts made to restrict it, in
order to deprive me of movement and action. I confess I
often felt so discouraged, that I had the idea of abandoning a
power which was so disputed. What withheld me was that
I saw that only one thing could succeed nee, and that was
anarchy. Everywhere, in fact, the ardent passion for de-
struction was rising without:capacity to found anything. No-
where was there an institution or a man to whom to attach
oneself; nowhere an undisputed right; no organisation of
any kind, or a system capable of being realised.
" Thus when, thanks to the aid of some courageous men,
thanks especially to the energetic attitude of the army, all
perils were removed in a few hours, my first concern was to
demand institutions at the hands of the people. For too
long a time society had resembled a pyramid turned upside
down, and I have replaced it on its basis. Universal suf-
frage, the only source of right in such conjunctures, was im-
mediately restored. Authority regained the ascendant; in
fine, France, adopting the principal dispositions of the Con-
stitution that I submitted to her, opportunity was afforded
me to create political bodies, whose influence and considera-
tion will be the greater according as their attributes shall
be wisely regulated.
Amongst political institutions, in fact, those alone have
durability which fix in an equitable manner the proper limits
to which each power ought to be confined. There is no
other way of arriving at a useful and beneficial application of
liberty. Examples enough are near at hand.
" Why in 1814 was the inauguration of the Parliamentary
system seen with satisfaction, despite of our reverses? It
was because the Emperor—let us not fear to make the avowal
—had been led, on accoaat of the war, into too absolute an
exercise of power.
" Why, on the contrary, in 1851, did France rejoice in the
fall of the same Parliamentary regime I' It was because the
Chambers had abused the influence that had been allowed
them ; for wishing to dominate, they compromised the ge-
neral equilibrium.
" In tine, why did not France show herself moved at the
restrictions imposed on the liberty of the press and on per-
sonal liberty? It is because the one had degenerated into
licentiousness, and that the other, instead of being the legal
exercise of the right of each, had, by odious excesses, me-
naced the rights of all.
" This extreme danger, especially for democracies, the
having to see unceasingly ill-defined institutions sacrifice
liberty and power by turns, had been perfectly comprehended
by our fathers half a century ago, when escaping from revo •
lutionary troubles, and after a vain trial of all kinds of re-
whicki they proclaimed the Constitution of the year VIII.,
girnes has served as the model for that of 1852. Without
doubt, the liberties, to the abuse of which we had become
accustomed, are not all sanctioned, but still real
liberties are consecrated. Thus the day following
revolutions the first of securities does not consist in the im-
moderate use of the tribune and the press, it is to be found
in the right to choose a suitable Government. Now the
French nation, perhaps, for the first time, has given to the
world the imposing spectacle, a great people voting in full
liberty the form of its government.
" Thus the Chief of the State who you have before you is
truly the expression of the popular will; and what do I see
before me? Two Chambers, the one elected by virtue of
the most liberal law existing in the world; the other named,
it is true, by myself, but also independent, because immove-
able.
" Around me you behold men of recognised patriotism and
merit ready to support me with their.counsels, and to en-
lighten me as to the wants of the country.
"This Constitution, which to-day is to be put in practice,
is not the work of a vain theciry or of despotism—it is the
work of experience and reason. You will aid me to consoli-
date it, to extend, and to ameliorate.
I will Cause to be made known to the Senate and Corps
Legislatif the state of the situation of .the Republic. They
will see by it that confidence has been everywhere restored,
that work has recovered, and that, for the first time after a
great political change, the public fortune has increased in-
stead of being diminished.
" During the past four months, it has been possible for
my Government to encourage many useful undertakings, to
recompense many services, to succour much want, to exalt
even the position of the greatest number of principal func-
tionaries; and all that without adding to the estimates of
the budget, which we are happy to present you in a balanced
gala.
"Such facts, taken with the attitude of Europe, which
has received with satisfaction the changes that have been
made, gives us just hope of security for the future; for if
peace is secured within, it is equally so without. Foreign
powers respect our independence, and it is for all our inte-
rests to keep with them the most amicable relations. 'lO
long as the honour of France shall not be engaged,
it
cause
1
be the duty of the Government to avoid carefully all use
cr
of perturbation in Europe, and to turn all our attention to
internal ameliorations, which can alone procurecom of the t for
the laborious classes, and ensure prosperity
the
country.
',"
"And now, gentlemen, at the moment NY
you are assu
ciatint, yourselves with my labours, I will explain to Yo
frankly what my conduct shall be. seen to
"It has been frequently repeated, when I !nit of the
s
re-establish the institutions and the reco
IlectionEmpire
Empire, that I desire to re-establish the
on, that
If such had been my constant Pre-98Ieudp at ton,
since.
transformation would have been accomplished
to
Neither means nor opportunity have been wanting
ffrages
tun might give me
" Thus, in 18,18, when six millions of su.
in spite of the Constituent, I was not -oranntanitheadt tree
th;
simple refusal to acquiesce in the Constitution
necessarily produce serious disturbances.
a throne, but I was not seduced by an elec ation which would
change the form of the
It was equally easy for me to
‘.
would
not 0
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government Oct the 13th June, 1519. cebs A

"In fins, on the 2d December, if personal considerations
bad prevailed over the grave interests of the country,, I
might at first have demanded a pompous title of the people
which they would not have refused me. I contented myself
with that which 1 had.
"Consequently, when I borrow examples from the Con-
sulate and Empire, it is becattse I find them there parti-
cularly stamped with nationality and grandeur. Being de-
termined to-day, as before, to do everything for Franco and
nothing for myself, I should accept no modification of the
present state of things, unless I was obliged to do so by
evident necessity. Whence can it arise? Solely from the
conduct of parties. If they resign themselves nothing
shall be changed ; but if, by their underhand intrigues,
they endeavoured to sap the basis of my Government ; if,
in their blindness, they contested the legitimacy of the po-
pular election ; if, finally, they endangered, by their inces-
sant attacks, the future prospects of the Ministry, then, and
only then, it may be reasonable to demand from the people,
in the name of the repose of France, a new title, which will
irrevocably fix upon my head the power with which they in-
vested me.

" But let us not preoccupy ourselves with difficulties,
which no doubt have nothing probable. Let us maintain
the Republic; it menaces nobody, and may reassure every-
body. Under its banner I wish to inaugurate anew an era of
oblivion and conciliation, and I call distinctly upon all those
who wish to co-operate with me in forwarding the public
good.
"Providence, which has hitherto so visibly blessed my ex-
ertions, will not leave its work unfinished. It will animate
us with its inspirations, and give us the wisdom and
power necessary to consolidate the order of things which
will insure the happiness of our country and the repose of
Europe."
Immense applause greeted the various salient points
of this address; and at the end cheering and cries of
" Vive NAPOLEON ! " were enthusiastic.

The Minister of State then proceeded to administer
to the PRINCE PRESIDENT tho oath of fidelity, and
obedience to the Constitution. The ceremony was
very simple, each person, on his name being called,
rose and stretching forth his hand, said " Je le jure.
The first to take the oath was the Prince JimomE, and
then followed the calling over the names of the sena-
tors. Some sensation was evidently felt at the moment

the names of General CAVAIGNAC and M. CARROT were
prononnced by there being no reply, both Hon. Mem-
bers having absented themselves. Immediately after
the swearing was over the Minister of State an-
nounced the session to have opened, and all separated.
The ceremony did not occupy more than 40 minutes.
Several additional decrees are promulgated in the
columns of the Moniteur. Messrs. LEON FAXCHER and
others aro authorised to open a loan ou mortgage bank,
in conformity with the late law. Salaries of prefects are
raised. Native sugar pays 45t., and fore gn 57f. only,
the 100 kilogrammes. Foreign refined sugar is prohibi-
ted. Bank of France is authorised to lend on obligations
of the city of Paris. An amnesty is granted to sailors
who have deserted.

The papers contain no observations of importance in
their comments on, or rather analyses of, the decrees
which appeared on Sunday.
The PRINCE PRESIDENT has pardoned forty persons
condemned to transportation, and who were on their
way to Algeria. The order for their release was sent to
Cette by telegraph.
Since the elevation of the Archbishop of BORDEAUX
to the dignity of Cardinal France has six Cardinals, viz.,
the Archbishops of BOURGES, CAMDRAI, REIMS, LYONS,
BESANCON, and BORDEAUX.
The Bourse was firm with a slight advance on the prices
of Saturday. The Five per Cents. opened at 1001. 60c., and
closed at 100 f. 65c. for the end of the month ; the Three per
Cents. closed at 71f. 40c.; the Four-and-a-Half per Cents.
101 f. 25e. ; Orleans Railroad shares 1,165 f. ; Rouen, 712 f. 50c. ;
llavre, 290 f. ; Great Northern, 655 f. ; Avignon, 1172 f. 50c. ;
Vierzon, 5601. ; Bale, 23 If. 25c. ; Bordeaux, 5751. • Paris
and Strasburg, 555 f. ; Tours and Nantes, 3-151. ; Paris to
Lyons, 606 f. 25c.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MARCH 29.

Boulogne and Amiens, 13%—Central of France (Orleans
and Vierzon), 221/—Charleroi and Erquelines' 13 lA—East
Indian, —Luxembourg. 414—Namur and Liege, 6%—
Northern of France, 2134—Orleans and Bordeaux, 14—Paris
and Rouen, 28—Paris and Strasbourg, 2214—Rouen and
Havre, 111/2—Sambre and Meuse, 41A—Tours and Nantes,
10%—West Flanders, 214.

SPAIN.

Advices from Madrid, are of the 24th inst.

The Madrid Gazette of that day, contains a royal
decree, by which it is enacted that the sums paid by
France to the Spanish Government for obligations con-
tracted by her in the war of independence shall be forth-
with distributed to the creditors. This money was paid
by France so far back as 1822, but circumstances have
hitherto prevented the Spanish Cabinet from distri-
buting it.
The visit of the QUEEN to Andalusia has teen defi-
nitively fixed.