The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-18 00:00:00

that she cannot leave Franco out of her reckoning, and she
is right ; for France, in case of need, would prove to her
that she must not boignored. (Groat applause.) The policy
of peace must, therefore, carry the day. A disarmament
would be tempting; but if, in the present state of
Europe, France were not powerful, the world would be
turned upside down. Franco, then, must remain power-
ful. I have never had, nor have now, but one object
in view—the interest of my country and that of my
own reputation, and I am now fast approaching the
close of my career. (Sensation.) I have respected the
dynasty which I have served; but I have always loved
and still love my country (Tres bien, tres bien.) Yes; I
will examine with sincerity, as a good French citizen,
the project for the reorganisation of the army, and if the
force which is asked proportionate with the disquietude it
causes the country 1 shall give my assent to it. France,
then, must be strong; she must become the hope of
nations. You have no longer European interests to deal
with, and you have not at present a single ally. You do
not surely count upon Austria ; she is not yet recnisti-
tilted, and can think only far herself; in fact, she has not
had sufficient time to restore her confidence and gratitude
towards France. (Laughter.) Can you see an ally in
Italy ? She is already searching for new adventures.
You desired to make her happy and contented, but you
have not succeeded. Italy is placed between two difficul-
ties, which appear to be insurmountable. The first is, to
succeed in establishing feelings of cordial sympathy be-
tween Naples, Florence, Turin, and Palermo—in that
country Where it was intended to illustrate the policy which
reposes on the consent of the people ; the other is, to pro-
duce a budget showing ono milliard 100 millions of expen-
diture and 700 millions only of receipts. Every time that
these difficulties become more apparent, Italy seeks for new
adventures. It was under those circumstances she attacked
Naples, then the States of the Church, and, lastly Venetia.
It is not difficult, then, to foresee who she will attack next.
Tho Roman question is at present suspended, but not
solved. So that Italy is not an ally for you who are anxious
for the peace of the world. And as to Spain—but you
know it already—never have the Pyrenees been higher.
(Laughter.) And England—you are aware of it, too—she
is disgusted with European events, and that disgust be-
comes with her a system. She was allied to us for a moment
by the confraternity of arms ; she joined us, too, in our
action respecting Poland, but only reaped bitter disappoint-
month. She was ready to join us in our negociations rela-
tive to Denmark, and wo were not of her opinion in the
matter. Her systematic disgust commenced that day, and
she said to herself, My domain is the sea.' Yet she expe-
rienced a feeling of exultation at what recently took place in
Germany which was scarcely generous. She has not, there-
fore, the slightest reason to interest herself in passing events.
But when she sees the East in danger she is reanimated ;
and when she hears the policy of great agglomerations
spoken of, she understands what it means, and the men-
tion of the Scheldt compels her to forget the Black Sea.
(Sensation.) She may become our ally, but she is not so
yet• As for Russia, she is not disgusted, but she holds
aloof. Thus, Austria almost exhausted, Italy in quest of
adventures, England systematically apart from European
affairs, but quite capable of turning her attention to them
some day, and Russia consulting only her own interest,
those afford hardly the materials for an alliance. Yet it is
not impossible for the Government to draw the interests of
Europe around us; and, when you convince Europe
that minor interests have nothing to fear from you,
be sure that the dangers of the Eastern question will induce
England to unite with you once more ; and that alliance I
never thought so necessary as I do at the present day.
When England and France aro once more united a power-
ful cortege of small States will gather round them ; the
ambitious powers of Europe may indulge in a few whole-
some reflections, and France and Europe will have a few
days of peace and quiet, of which the latter stands in great
need. Such modest but sound common sense policy may
not obtain the same applause for you as when you vowed
you were going to free Poland and Italy. But it is the
only safe one to pursue. The other I call a policy of
empty popularity. Sound popularity you commenced to
deserve in announcing fresh liberties. I congratulate you
on the idea. At a moment when fresh burdens are about to
be thrown upon the country it is only fair to give it that
share in the management of its own affairs to which it is
entitled. (Applause.) You will find in so doing the ad-
vantage of resuscitating French patriotism—not that the
patriotic flame is extinct, but it requires to be revived by
the invigorating breath of liberty. (Fresh applause.) A
word to conclude. I would never recommend even an op-
position to try and achieve popularity, although it is the
natural lot of most oppositions ; but a Government should
ever disregard it. Governments are judged by one uner-
ring, inflexible standard--by events ; and the verdict of
that judge no amount of applause can possibly replace. As
fcr me, if I recommend that policy, it is because I think it
a good one. Ido not inquire whether the question of the
Papacy or whether the question of nationalities are popu-
lar questions or not. I examine them with a view to see
how they affect the interests of the country—those interests
I cling to. If an individual, alone, without a party, with-
out support in the press, can follow such a course, a Go-
vernment which concentrates in its hands all the instru-
ments of power, can adopt it for more securely and conve-
niently for itself. In concluding, gentlemen, I supplienso
you, for your sakes andfor that of the country, unreservedly
to give yourselves up to that policy which I may call the
policy of common sense ; for I will add but one word—a
single word—there is not one single blunder left the Go-
vernment to commit. (II n'y a plus une seals fasts a cont-
mettre.) (Great sensation.) The house immediately ad-
journed."