The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-12 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

OPENING OF THE SESSION OF THE
CHAMBERS.

On Tuesday, November 10, his Majesty the King of
the Belgians opened the Chambers with the following
speech
" Gentlemen,—My relations with the different Powers
continue to be satisfactory. The circumstances which
have occurred to threaten infringement of the harmony
existing among the great States of Europe make me feel
more sensibly the value of that good intelligence.
" The position of Belgium is determined by treaties,
and perpetual neutrality has been solemnly assured to
the territory. My Government has neglected no op-
portunity for making known the importance it attaches
to that guarantee. We experience on every hand, with
satisfaction I declare it, nothing but sentiments of cor-
diality and respect for the principle inscribed in our pub-
lic law,
" Neutrality is the true basis of our policy. Of this
we cannot too strongly feel the conviction : to maintain
it sincerely, faithfully, and firmly, ought to be our
constant object.
" The negotiations to which the origin of the treaty
with the kingdom of the Netherlands gives rise are
prosecuted with all the activity which comports with
the examination of numerous and delicate questions.
The spirit of concord and conciliation, of which the two
States have recently had the opportunity of giving a
fresh testimony, will continue, I hope, to exercise a
favourable influence on the arrangements which remain
to be concluded.

" The benefits of an abundant harvest begin to be
felt by the labouring, class ; they will advantageously
aid the interests of our industry, some branches of
which require facilities which I shall always have at
heart to procure.

" A new bill on agricultural produce will be submit•
ted to your consideration.
" Treaties of navigation and commerce, which will be
presented for your sanction, have recently been con-
doled with the United States of America, with Greece,
and with the Ottoman Porte.

" Arrangements for navigation have also been agreed
upon with the Holy See, Spain, and the Regency of
Tunis ; they will be communicated to you.
" ALasures will be proposed to you for making good
resources which were only temporary, and for establish-
ing a perfect equilibrium between the expenses and the
revenues of the State. _ _

YourconcurrenCe will also be asked to the intro-
duction into some of our financial laws of modifications,
the necessity for which has been recognised by ex-

perience.
" The labours of roads and bridges arc actively car-
ried on. Thy national undertaking of railroads is the
object of every attention on the part of the Govern-
ment. New sections will soon be ready for communica-
tion, and the time is not far distant when Belgic lines,
joining the lines of Germany and France, will multiply
and facilitate our relations with those two great
countries.

" During the last ten years Belgium has made won-
derful efforts towards the improvement of her means of
communication. The navigable routes have had, how-
vver, but a small share in this great movement ; in this
respect much remains to be done, and the Government
will Neglect nothing in successively realizing the ame-
lioration it has in view.

" If the country has signalized herself by the deve-
lopeinent of her material interests, you have also had
evidence of her progress in intellectual labours. The
fine arts in particular have shed a lustre. I call your
attention to the necessity of completing the organization
of puiilic instruction. A patriotic spirit of union and
conciliation will, I doubt not, preside at the examination
and solution of the questions connected with this subject.
" Justice and the army, those two powerful guarantees
of order and security, also command all our interest.

"To introduce into the civil and criminal law im-
provements the utility of which experience indicates—to
complete our judicial system, and to supply some deficien-
cies in our new political institutions—such is the object
to which the attention of my Government is directed.
The judiciary discipline, however perfect it may be, re-
quires, in order to be protected against all attaint, pro-
visions the obligatory force of which cannot be contested.
A law on conflicting jurisdictions is equally useful for
regulating the relations of the judicial order with the
admini3trative. It is time to establish positive rules on
the retirement of Magistrates rendered by age or infir-
mity incapable of discharging their duties. It is de-
sirable also that we should be speedily occupied with
the consideration of the condition of the Magistracy, for
it is of importance that, on removal, there should be ad-
mitted into the body only men of knowledge and cha-
racter.

The army always shows itself deserving of my so-
lici:ude, by its discipline, its instruction, and its de-
%otcdness to the country. While preserving for it an
erzanization which may satify present wan's, and serve
as a basis for future eventualities, I have submitted
its administration to reductions compatible with ac-
quired rights, with the necessities of the service, and the
safety of the State.
" One of the first guarantees of our independence
exzts in a good military organization. To you I re-
commend this great Belgian interest. There is none
more important for the country.
•• Gentlemen, all my thoughts have for their object
the consolidation of our nationality ; my acts tend to
tn.,kc it better appreciated abroad, and better loved at
home. You have taken a great part in this two-fold
task. You will continue to labour with me for the hap-
piness of the country and the fulfilment of the duties
which she imposes. May a lively national feeling never
cease to preside at our common efforts ; it is the surest
guide for passing successfully through difficulties, and
Tor rendering periods of tranquillity and security be- )
Eignant and prosperous."