The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-26 00:00:00

S.PE.

CH OP TILE PRiArcE REGENT
OF PRUSSIA.

On closing the session of the Prussian Chambers
on the 23d instant, the Prince Regent delivered
the following Speech :
The labours of the present session have arrived
at their termination.

My Government is making very serious efforts to
bring about such solutions of the questions that
occupy the European Cabinets as will respond to
the necessities of the balance of politics.
The principles that direct my Government in its
relations with the Germanic Confederation, and
on the important affairs submitted to the Federal
Diet, have been explained to you in the course of
the present session. My Government will con-
tinue to remain faithful to these principles, and
will not cease to see that respect for the re-
cognised rights of others is the safeguard of
its own rights. Notwithstanding the differ-
ences that exist in relation to important questions,
the sentiments of all the German Governments and
peoples are in unison, with deep satisfaction I state
it, with mine and those of the Prussian people,
namely—To preserve an unshaken fidelity to the
common country, and to be imbued with the con-
viction that the independence of the nation and the
integrity of the territory are points in the presence
of which disappear all internal questions and dif-
ferences.
You have given your constitutional approbation
to several laws in favour of agriculture, manufac-
tures, and commerce. Those laws will confer happy
consequences on the country.
The redemption of burdens on land has on various
points been facilitated; post-road privileges have
been checked in favour of free competition ; mining
industry has been freed from every restriction not
demanded by public interests.
Your ♦otes have ensured the construction of the
Rhine-Nahe Railway, and of the Coblentz-bridge.
Various financial schemes intended to satisfy public
wants have obtained your approbation.
The bill intended to amend the laws that affect
matrimonial property in Westphalia has, in its
essence, been adopted.
The two Chambers have approved the law that
fixes the electoral districts.

The constitutional liberty of the press has ob-
tained a fresh guarantee by the law of the 21st of
April.

The bill relative to the organisation of the circles
not having been able to be voted during the pre-
sent session, will be presented again in the next.
The urgent amendment of the Law of Marriage
has been again adjourned, and the earnest desire I
expressed to you has not been realised. I do not,
however, give up the hope that opinion will ripen,
that the conviction of the necessity and advantages
of this reform will make way, and that the law will
be adopted during the next session.
The bills for equalising the tax on real property,
and for the introduction of a general tax on house
property, have not, to my regret, obtained the ap-
proval of one of the Chambers. My Government
will pursue with unabated resolution the purpose
aimed at by the four bills that were laid before you.
In the next session propositions to this effect will
be again presented.
After a searching examination of the budget for
1860, you have cordially placed at the disposition
of my Government the funds required for the pub-
lic service.
I deeply regret that the law on the subject of
military service, the most important of all those
which were submitted to you, could not be voted in
time. The important bearing of this question, the
difficulty of its important appreciation, caused a
delay in the discussion, which in the presence of the
general situation might not have been without dan-
ger, if you had not accorded to my Government the
means of augmenting the.military force of the coun-
try. I thank you for the unanimity with which
you voted these resources. It is a pledge for me,
that the necessity for reform in the army will at
last be justly appreciated, and that this question,
momentarily adjourned, but the importance of the
solution of which is generally recognised, will at
last be decided at the earliest opportunity.
It is still indispensable to maintain the charges
resulting from the additional taxes ; I am pleased,
however, to know that the:portion of these demands
to which this resource has not been appropriated,
will be completely covered by the surplus of the
receipts of 1859, without having recourse to the
treasure of the State.
The results of the legislative period 0,44 has just
expired leaves much to be desired, }..1, I count upon
the patriotic spirit of the couray,
entire confidence whichxists between the Sove-
reign and the nation
procaconfidence
-
I and the full and
,
Depending upon this reci-
on the increased strength of the
army, and
n. the state of our finance, Prussia can
await
wli;ii security, and with the protection of
God, the events now preparing.
In dismissing you, I implore the Divine goodness
for our King, so cruelly afflicted.
Long live the King !