The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-15 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE FRENCH
CHAMBERS.

THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

PARIS, FEB. 15

The French Chambers were opened at 1 o'clock
to-day by the Emperor, who delivered the following
speech :
Messieurs les Senateurs,
Messieurs les Deputes,

At the time of your last assembling I hoped
to see smoothed away by a general Congress all the
difficulties which then menaced the repose of Europe.
The event, to my regret, has proved otherwise, for
the sword often severs questions instead of resolving
them, and the only basis of a durable peace is the
satisfaction given by the accord of the sovereigns in
the general interest of the peoples.
In the presence of the conflicts which surged up
on the shores of the Baltic my Government,
divided between its sympathies for Den-
mark its good wishes for Germany, has ob-
served throughout the strictest neutrality.
Summoned in a Conference to contribute its
advice, it is bound to maintain the principle of
nationalities and the right of populations to be
consulted as to their fate. Our language conformable
to the reserved attitude which we purpose still to
maintain, has throughout been moderate and ami-
cable between the two parties.
In the South of Europe the action of France
was able to evidence itself more resolutely. I have
there been desirous to render possible the solution of a
difficult problem. The Convention of the 15th of
September, disembarassed from impassioned inter-
pretation, consecrates two great principles:—the
consolidation of the new Italian kingdom, and the
independence of the Holy see. The provisional and
precarious situation which excited so many alarms
is about to disappear.
It is not only the members of the Italian nation-
ality seeking to amass themselves by feeble bonds
into a little state, situate at the foot of the Alps ;
it is rather a great country, which, lifting its head
out of local prejudices, and despising ill-considered
exacerbation, boldly transports into the heart of the
Peninsula its capital, placing it there in the midst of
the Appenines as in an impregnable fortification. By
this act of patriotism Italydefinitively establishes itself
while reconciling itself at the same time with Catholi-
cism. It engages itself to respect the independ-
ence of the Holy See, and to protect the frontiers
of the Roman States, thereby-enabling us, also, at the
same time to withdraw our troops. The Pontifical
territory thus effectually guaranteed, finds itself
placed under the safeguard of a treaty which
solemnly binds the two Governments. The Con-
vention is not, therefore, a weapon of war, but a
work of peace and of conciliation.
In Mexico the throne consolidates itself, the
country becomes tranquilised, its immense re-
sources begin to envelope themselves ; all this
being the happy effect of the valour of our soldiers,
of the good sense of the Mexican population, and of
the intelligence and of the energy of the Sovereign.
In Japan our navy, united to those of Eng-
land, of Holland, and of the United States, has
given a new proof of what it can do.
In Africa a sudden insurrection has come to dis-
turb the security of our possessions, and to show
how certain tribes are still ignorant of our strength
and of our benign intentions. It is at this very
moment, when, by a spirit of generous justice, France
secures the rights of the soil to the Arab popula-
tion, while by liberal measures we are striving to ren-
der comprehensible to this misguided people that so
far from our wishing to oppress, we are desirous of
summoning them to partake of the benefits of civili-
sation. It is at this moment, I say, that infuriated
by religious fanaticism, the Arabs bordering
on the Desert have raised the standard of re-
volt. In spite of the difficulties of the country
and the rigour of the season, our army, conducted
with ability and rare discretion has gained the
mastery over the insurrection, and after the com-
bat no sanguinary repression, no useless severity
has saddened our victory. The zeal of the chief,
experimentally placed at the head of Algeria, the
unity of the command re-established, the consta-
tion of the generous designs of France, all
concur, as I hope to prevent the return of similar
disorders. Thus, all our expeditions drawing near
to their completion, our land armaments have
evacuated China, the navy suffices to maintain our
establishments in Cochin China. Our army in
Africa is about to be diminished ; that of Mexico
returns already into France ; the troops on the
road will reassemble amongst us very speedily ; and
closing the temple of war, we shall be able with
pride to inscribe on a new arch of triumph these
words—" To the glory of the French armies for
the victories achieved by them in Europe, in Asia,
in Africa, and in America."

Let us deliver ourselves up, without disquietude,
:o the labours of Peace.

The interval of the Sessions is employed, as usual,
in seeking out the means to inaugurate the moral
and material well-being of the people while every
useful and true idea is sure of being welcomed by
me and adopted by you.
Let us examine, therefore, together the measures
proper to increase the prosperity of the Empire.
Religion and Public Education are the objects of
my constant pre-occupation. All the worships
enjoy an equal liberty—the Catholic clergy exer-
cising within its own ministry a legitimate influence.
By the Law of Instruction it co-operates with
the education of youth—by the Electoral Law it is
empowered to enter into the public councils—by the
Constitution it occupies its place in the Senate.
But the more we surround it with evidences of con-
sideration and of deference, the more we rely upon
its respecting the fundamental laws of the State.
It is part of my duty to maintain intact the
rights of the civil power, which since St. Louis, no
Sovereign of France has ever abandoned. The
development of public instruction merits your soli-
citude. In this country of universal suffrage, every
citizen ought to know how to read and write.

A projet du loi will be presented to you, designed
to further more and more Primary Instruction.
I endeavour every year to diminish the obstacles
which have so long opposed themselves in France to
the free expansion of individual initiative. By the
law upon coalitions, voted last year, those who work
as well as those who employ have learned to settle
their differences without reckoning upon the inter-
vention of the Government, powerless to regulate
the variable connection between supply and demand.
At present fresh projects will have the object of
leaving greater liberty to commercial associations,
and freeing the administration from a responsibi-
lity always illusory. I have it at heart to destroy all
the obstacles which opposed the creation of societies
destined to ameliorate the condition of the working
classes. In promising the establishment of these
societies without abandoning the guarantees for
public security, we shall facilitate a useful experi-
ment. The Council, of State has studied with care