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

THE SPEECH 0F 7HE EMPEROR OF

A UST RIA.

The following is the tort 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-
mai 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
Reichsrath 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 0f
peace, and we may hope to continue to enjoy that precious
boon. Public confidence in the strength of Austria bas
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. (Bra"
bravo.) Onerous and difficult were the duties imposed on
my Reichsrath, and with just appreciation and steady de-
termination has it discharged them. It took cognisance °1
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 g
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-
(Miens 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 t°
compound with their creditors will be in force until :1'
bankruptcy laws have been framed. The introduce,ion 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 ems'
pire. The law relative to the partial abolition of feudal
,P
tenure shows that further progress has been made in °I
frec development of property which began more than tea
years ago with the abolition of villanage and soccage. °lll
of the most important Diets will be to make munieiPt:
arrangements in accordance with the fundamental prix'
ciples you have laid down.
Your special attention has been directed to all lastie°
connected with the administration of the revenue. Wheil
I, for reasons which have already been made known to you,
empowered and instructed my Ministry to lay before rtta
the accounts of Ways and Means for the years 1862 an
1863, and the draughts of the financial laws relating WI
unto, you zealously and conscientiously examined thew's!)
the amount of each budget was subsequently fixed with Yanii
consent, With satisfaction I have seen that the efforts °,
my Government to reduce the expenditure and to bt""
about a due proportion between the receipts and the es;
penses, have been successfully seconded by you. In resPec
to the covering of the deficit for the present year, Y°l4,,i
after having taken into consideration the state
affairs, have determined that the greater part of the sitTA
required shall be procured by the exertions of the inlia,"bel,
tants of the empire. In order that this principle niaYilici,
upheld, it is indispensably necessary that the taxes sh°ei
be augmented. I greatly regret that such must be ,-,,
case, but frequent experience induces me to believe till
my people will be willing to make those services which
cs,
are necessary to the maintenance of the power and Pre4
perity of Austria. I hope by a just distribution "t
the taxes soon to diminish the pressure where it is In,rto
heavily felt. To the same end, though they will oPerv'i
indirectly, some other laws have been passed by you. slo
the abolition of " mining soccage" the working of itua-de.
freed from a tax which has always been a check to its --to
be
velopment. As the tax on spirits is to be in proportion
the quantity actually produced, the duties will in ftliare„„a
more accurately imposed. The abolition of the transit 0:i0
export duties has already begun to produce a favcalrau,it
influence on commerce. By the abolition of the ttsafla
duties the province of Dalmatia will be enabled to deri
greater advantage from its maritime position.
debt
The law relative to the control of the nations- /it
secures to the representatives of the empire a proper insige,
into the management of the same, and of all matters co
nected with it. By the Bank Act the financial administra-
tion and the representatives of the bank have obtaill,age
the basis for a convention, by means of which the relati°'
between the State and the bank will be regulated, and the
affairs of the latter consolidated. The zeal which you /IP°
displayed in bringing the matter in question to an end,
bined with the reduction in the expenditure and the taa-A
advantageous results of the past year, cannot fail to pro
favourable results everywhere.
With the pleasing consciousness that things are itnPr°,l;
ing, you will return tr your homes, where new deraan"
will be made on your time. There you will be the alr
holders of the principles on which the constitutional 10e
,1
that have been given are based, laws which I will maillta
as I have hitherto done, (Bravo I Bravo ,ellt,
Bravo I)
villieh
will not relax in your efforts to strengthen the tiejog
for the welfare of all the people of Austria, has for centut
united the different parts of the empire. With your o
ration my firm determination to uphold the unity f the
realm, and to complete the constitutional work that has ,
viy
begun, will be carried out. It will ever be the aim
accords
Government to attain those ends, and that in ace,°,,„o/
with the fundamental laws which I have given.
iQa
I thank you, honoured members of my Reichsrath. .I*?eico
you the assurance of my imperial favour, and shall re)
gt
to see you assembled around me in the course of the a
year for the continuance of your patriotic work. a a
May that Power which has so recently given me anh ins
house a signal proof of its favour—a favour which
acknowledged in a most touching manner by my Pe A° strit3
"
shower down its blessings on us, and grant that -ol)
may flourish and prosper; that she may ever tie Pall°c
and rich in honour
of ib°
In the evening the Emperor received the members
Reichsrath in the state apartments of the palace'
* The German word used on such occasions is -`o°oerr
Act. The Austrian " succedaneum" for our Habeas
1: This allusion to the recovery of the EnlPre-
enthusiastically cheered.