The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-14 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE FRENCH CHAMBERS

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR.
PARIS, Feb. 14.

Th© French Chambers were opened to-day by
the Emperor in person, who delivered the follow-
ing speech :
" Messieurs les Senators,
" Messieurs les Deputies,

" Since your last session serious events have
arisen in Europe. Although they may have
astonished the world by their rapidity, as by the
importance of their re alts, it appears that according
to the anticipations of the Emperor th ere was a fatality
in their fulfilment. Napoleon said at St. Helena :
' One of my great ideas has been the agglomeration
and concentration of the same nations, geographi-
cally considered, who have been scattered piecemeal
by revolutions and policy. This agglomeration will
take place sooner or later by the force of circum-
stances. The impulse is given, and Ido not think
that after my fall and the disappearance of my
system, there will be any other equilibrium possible
than the agglomeration and confederation of great
nations.' The transformations that have taken place
in Italy and Germany pave the way for the realisa-
tion of this vast programme of the union of the
European states in one sole confederation.

" The spectacle of the efforts made by the neigh-
bouring nations to assemble their members scat-
tered abroad for so many centuries cannot cause
disquiet to a country like ours, all the parts of
which are irrevocably bound up with each other,
and form a homogeneous and indestructible body.
We have been impartial witnesses of the struggle
which has been waged on the other side of the
Rhine. In presence of this conflict the country
strongly manifested its wish to keep aloof from it.
Not only did I defer to this wish, but I used every
effort to hasten the conclusion of peace. I did not
arm a single additional soldier, I did not move for-
ward a single regiment, and yet the voice of France
had influence enough to arrest the conqueror at the
gates of Vienna. Our mediation effected an ar-
rangement between the belligerents, which, leaving
to Prussia the fruit of her [successes, maintained
the integrity of the Austrian territory with the ex-
ception of a single province, and by the cession of
Venetia completed Italian independence. Our
action has been exercised therefore with views of
justice and conciliation. France has not drawn the
sword because her honour was not at stake, and
because she had promised to observe a strict neu-
trality. In another part of the globe we have been
obliged to employ force to redress legitimate grie-
vances, and we have endeavoured to raise an an-
cient empire. The happy results at first obtained
were compromised by an inauspicious concurrence
of circumstances.

" The guiding idea of the Mexican expedition
,was an elevated one. To regenerate a people, and
implant among them ideas of order and progress,
to open vast outlets to our commerce, and leave the
recollection of services rendered to civilisation to
mark our path, such was my desire, and yours.
But as soon as the extent of our sacrifices appeared
to me to exceed the interests which had called us
across the ocean, I spontaneously determined upon
the recall of our army corps. The Government of
the United States comprehended that want of con-
ciliation would have prolonged the occupation and
embittered relations which, for the welfare of both
countries, should remain friendly. In the East troubles
have arisen, but the great Powers are acting in
concert to bring about a state of things which may
satisfy the legitimate wishes of the Christian popu-
lations, reserve the rights of the Sultan, and prevent
dangerous complications. At Rome we have faith-
fully executed the convention of the 15th Septem-
ber. The Government of the Holy Father has
entered into a fresh phase. Left to itself, it main-
tains itself by its proper strength, by the vene-
ration which is felt by all towards the Head
of the Catholic Church, and the surveillance
loyally exercised upon his frontiers by the Ita-
lian Government. But if some demagogic con-
spiracy should audaciously seek to threaten the
temporal power of the Holy See, Europe, I do not
doubt, would not permit the accomplishment of an
event which would cause such great perturbation in
the Catholic world.

" I have only to congratulate myself upon my
relations with foreign Powers. Our connection
with England becomes daily more intimate by the
similitude of our policy and the multiplicity of our
commercial relations. Prussia seeks to avoid every-
thing which might arouse our national susceptibi-
lities, and agrees with us upon the chief European
questions. Russia, inspired by conciliatory inten-
tions, is not disposed to separate her policy in the
East from that of France. The same is the case with
the Empire of Austria, the greatness of which'is
indispensable to the general equilibrium. A recent
commercial treaty has created new ties between the
two countries. Lastly, Spain and Italy are upon
terms of sincere agreement.

" Thus, therefore, nothing in present circum-
stances need arouse our uneasiness, and I entertain
the firm conviction that peace will not be disturbed.

" Assured of the present, trusting in the future,
I have thought the time had arrived to develope our
institutions. You have expressed your wishes to
me every year that this should be effected, but Ic-
ing justly convinced that progress can only be ac-
complished by complete harmony
between the
powers of the State you had placed in my hands,
and I thank you for your confidence—the privilege
of deciding upon the moment when I might think
the realisation of your desires possible. Now, after
15 years of calm and prosperity, due to our com-
mon efforts and to your profound devotion to the
institutions of the Empire, it has appeared to
me that the time had come to adopt
the liberal measures which lay in the minds
of the Senate and the aspirations of the
Corps Legislatif. I respond to your expecta-
tions, and without departing from the Constitu-
tion. I propose to you laws which offer new gua-
rantees for political liberty.
" The nation, which does justics to my efforts,
and which again recently, in Lorraine, gave such
touching proofs of its attachment to my dynasty,
will make a wise use of these new rights. Justly
jealous of its repose and of its prosperity, it will
continue to disdain the dangerous Utopias and
excitements of parties. For you, gentlemen, the
immense majority of whom have constantly sustained
my courage in the always difficult task of governing
a people, you will continue to be, with me, the faith-
ful guardians of the true interests and the veritable
greatness of the country.
"These interests impose upon us obligations we
shall know how to fulfil. France is respected
abroad. The army has displayed its valour, but
the conditions of war being changed require the
increase of our defensive forces, and we must orga-
nise ourselves in such a manner as to be invulner-
able. The bill upon this subject—which has been
studied with the greatest care—lightens the burdens
of the conscription in time of peace, offers consider-
able resources in time of war, and redistributing
burdens between all in a fair proportion, thus
satisfies the principle of equality. It possesses
all the importance of an institution of this country,
aud I feel convinced will be accepted with patriotism.
The influence of a nation depends upon the number
of men it is able to put under arms. Do not for-
get that neighbouring States impose upon themselves
far heavier sacrifices for the effective constitution of
their armies, and have their eyes fixed upon us to
judge by your resolutions whether the influence of ,
France shall increase or diminish throughout the
world. Let us constantly keep our national flag at
the same height. It is the most certain means of
preserving peace, and that peace must be rendered
fertile by alleviating misery and increasing general
prosperity.
Heavy trials have:assailed us in the course of the
past year. Inundations and epidemics have deso-
lated some of our departments. Benevolence has
assuaged individual suffering, and credits will be
asked of you to repair the disasters caused to
public property. Notwithstanding these partial

calamities, the progress of general prosperity has
not relaxed. During the last ficancial period the
indirect revenue has increased by 50 millions, and
foreign commerce by upwards of 1 milliard of
francs. The general improvement of our finances
will soon allow us to give satisfaction upon a
large scale to agricultural and economic
interests, brought into light by the inquiry
opened in all parts of the country. Our attention
must then be turned to the reduction of certain
burdens which weigh too heavily upon landed pro-
perty, and which prevent the speedy completion of
the channels of interior navigation of our ports, our
railways, and especially of cross-roads, the indis-
pensable agents.for effective distribution of the pro-
duce of the soil.

" Bills upon primary education and upon co.
operative societies were submit ted to you last session
and I do not doubt you will approve the arrange-
ments they set forth. 'They will improve the moral
and material condition of the mural population, and
of the working classes in our great cities. Each
year thus opens a new horizon to our meditations
and our efforts.

" Our task at this moment is to form the public
manners to the practice of more liberal institutions.
Hitherto in France liberty has only been ephemeral.
It has not been able to take root in the soil, be-
cause abuse has immediately followed use, and the
nation rather preferred to limit the exercise of its
rights than to endure disorder in ideas rps in things.
It is worthy of you and me to make a broader ap-
plication of these great principles which con-
stitute _ the glory of France. Their develop-
ment will not, as formerly, endanger the
necessary prestige of authority. Power is
now firmly based, and ardent passions, the
sole obstacle to the expansion of our liberties, will
become extinguished in the immensity of universal
suffrage: I have full.confidenee in the good sense
and patriotism of the people, and strong in the
right which I hold from them, strong in my con-
science, which is solely desirous of go_od.
you to march with me with a firm step on the
path of civilisation.".

BANK OF FILANCE.

PARIS, Fcb. 14.

The return of the Bank of France for the week
ending to-day shows the following changes com-
pared with that of last week :