The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-24 00:00:00

THE SPEECH OF 711 E EMPEROR OF

AUSTRIA.

The following is the text of the speech from the
throne which was delivered by the Emperor of
Austria on the 18th in proroguing the Reichsrath,
a summary of which has already appeared in our
columns. The ceremony took place in the ritter-
saal of the palace. The Empress, several of the
archdukes, and all the high dignitaries of the Court
were present. The Emperor said :
Honoured Members of my Reichsrath,—ln language ex-
pressive of my imperial confidence did I salute you, princes
of my house, most reverend, noble, and honoured members
of my Reichsrath, when at the commencement of a task
which, with God's help, will firmly establish the well-being
of Austria, I assembled you around me.

With the best wishes of my faithful peoples you began
the work which I, by means of institutions in keeping with
the diploma of the 20th Oct., 1860, and the fundamental
laws of the 26th Feb., 1861, placed in your hands.
At the moment in which I close the first sitting of the
Reicharath I declare with satisfaction that I have not been
deceived in my expectations. The confidence I felt in the
success of the work, which has been performed with united
strength, has been confirmed. (Bravo.)*
We have, without disturbance, enjoyed the blessings of
peace, and we may hope to continue to enjoy that precious
boon. Public confidence in the strength of Austria has
greatly increased. Her steady advance in the path of peace-
ful development has secured for her the respect of the na-
tions and revived the sympathies of friendly States. (Bravo
bravo.) Onerous and difficult were the duties imposed on
my Reicharath, and with just appreciation and steady de-
termination has it discharged them. It took cognisance of
all those matters which are within its sphere of action, and
in concert with my Government did all in its power to
bring them to a satisfactory conclusion. Already have &
series of important laws been framed in a constitutional

manner.
The Reichsrath enjoyed perfect freedom of discussion;
each of its members was at liberty to make known his in-
dividual opinions. The expression of public opinion, as
given by the periodical press, has been placed under the
protection of the law, and more effectual security for the
personal liberty of the subject has been provided. By ad-
ditions to the criminal and military codes of laws, and by
regulations relative to the jurisdiction of the different
court and administrative authorities, f a necessity which
has arisen from the change of system has been provided for.
The law for enabling persons in pecuniary difficulties to
compound with their creditors will be in force until new
bankruptcy laws have been framed. The introduction of
a new commercial code, which, in itself highly commend-
able, is already in force in the neighbouring German Fe-
deral States, will not fail to further the interests of the on'
pire. The law relative to the partial abolition of feudal
tenure shows that further progress has been made in that
free development of property which began more than ten
years ago with the abolition of villanage and soccage. One
of the most important Diets will be to make municipal
arrangements in accordance with the fundamental prin-
ciples you have laid down.
Your special attention bas been directed to all matters
connected with the administration of the revenue. When
I, for reasons which have already been made known to you,
empowered and instructed my Ministry to lay before Yalli
the accounts of Ways and Means for the years 1862 and
1863, and the draughts of the financial laws relating there'
unto, you zealously and conscientiously examined them's°
the amount of each budget was subsequently fixed with your
consent. With satisfaction I have seen that the efforts of
my Government to reduce the expenditure and to bra
about a due proportion between the receipts and the
penses, have been successfully seconded by you. In re',opec"
to the covering of the deficit for the present year, Vas,
after having taken into consideration the state 0'
affairs, have determined that the greater part of the fatm.
required shall be procured by the exertions of the inhabi-
tants of the empire. In order that this principle may be,,
upheld, it is indispensably necessary that the taxes shout*
be augmented. I greatly regret that such must be 1118
case, but frequent experience induces me to believe the 4..
which
:
my people will be willing to make those services
are necessary to the maintenance of the power and Pros'
perity of Austria. I hope by a just distribution
the taxes soon to diminish the pressure where it is recfiv
heavily felt. To the same end, though they will °pelt
indirectly, some other laws have been passed by you. vf,
the abolition of " mining soccage" the working of mines is
freed from a tax which has always been a check to its ",„e
velopment. As the tax on spirits is to be in proportion r
the quantity actually produced, the duties will in future Pe
more accurately imposed. The abolition of the transit and
._
export duties has already begun to produce a favourable.
influence on commerce. By the abolition of the traneis
duties the province of Dalmatia will be enabled to delay°
greater advantage from its maritime position.
The law relative to the control of the national deb:
secures to the representatives of the empire a proper insight
into the management of the same, and of all matters con'
nested with it. By the Bank Act the financial administre"
tion and the representatives of the bank have obtained
the basis for a convention, by means of which the relatioo
between the State and the bank will be regulated, and the
affairs of the latter consolidated. The zeal which you bac"a
displayed in bringing the matter in question to an end, Cour
bined with the reduction in the expenditure and the 131°°
advantageous results of the past year, cannot fail to produce
favourable results everywhere.
With the pleasing consciousness that things are imir.l3l;
ing, you will return tr your homes, where new degluu,
will be made on your time. There you will be the
holders of the principles on which the constitutional lay;
that have been given are based, laws which I will rottirttiati
as I have hitherto done, (Bravo Bravo I Bravo 1) Ir%
will not relax in your efforts to strengthen Pao tie Whic
for the welfare of all the people of Austria, b as for center',
united the different parts of the empire. With your co.oPie,
je
ration my firm determination to uphold the unity of tet,
realm, and to complete the constitutional work that has be
n 4
begun, will be carried out. It will ever be the aim ef_„—ce
Government to attain those ends, and that in accord
with the fundamental laws which I have given. P,r9vi°,o
I thank you, honoured members of my Reichsrath. 1!"i co
you the assurance of my imperial favour, and shall rei°o
to see you assembled around me in the course of the ue
year for the continuance of your patriotic work.
May that Power which has so recently given me ando
house a signal proof of its favour—a favour which leos
acknowledged in a most touching manner by my peOP
trio
shower down its blessings on us, and grant that Ati:itilt
may flourish and prosper; that she may ever be Pevre.
and rich in honour I f tb°
In the evening the Emperor received the membere°
Reichsrath in the state apartments of the palace. ch
* The German word used on such occasions is " lorptle
f The Austrian " succedaneum." for our Habeas
Act.
:1; This allusion to the recovery of the Empress
enthusiastically cheered.