The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-23 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE ITALIAN

PARLIAMENT.

SPEECH FROli THE THRONE.

FLORENCE, March 22.

The Italian Parliament was opened to-day by the
King in person, who 'delivered the following Speech
from the Throne :

" Signori Senatori, Signori Deputati,—For the
happiness of Italy, who has confided to me her desti-
ni, I have deemed it expedient that the representa-
tion of the country should be renovated at the foun-
tain head of the national suffrage. I am confident
that it will there have imbibed a consciousness of
the serious wants of the country, as well as the
strength nece-sstary to provide for them. There has
been a time for daring resolutions and bold enter-
prises. I pursued the course which was then neces-
sary, full of confidence in the holiness of the cause
which God bad called upon me to defend. The na-
tion replied with readiness to my appeal, and by our
union and perseverance we acquired our indepen- I
donee and preserved our liberty. Now that her
existence is assured, Italy demands that the forces I
of her intelligence and her will shall not be exhausted
in intemperance and rivalry, but shall on the contrary
be concentrated with the object of giving her a stable
and wise organisation, in order that she may be able
to develope in repose and tranquillity the elements of
vitality and prosperity which she has received from
Providence. The nation demands that the Chamber
and the Government shall apply themselves with
wisdom and resolution to this work of reparation.
" Nations love and appreciate institutions by rea-
son of the benefits they derive from them. It is ne-
eeasatryo tt he e show
noblestth that
aspirationsou r institutions
after national
a gtiiovneasatisfac-
tion
dignity
e and
the a
and activity, and that
rgam.titheyasraeaotn ofth hetsaemsetattim
guarantee for.the good o
the welfare of the people, in order that the latter may
not not lose confidence in liberty, which is the honour
and the strength of our political reconstruction.
" In order to obtain this result my Government
will submit to your deliberation a bill for a com-
plete administrative reorganisation, which will
strengthen at the same time both liberty and autho-
rity, and facilitate as well as to simplify the rela -
Lions between the governing and the governed.
While the provinces and the communes, in accord-
ance with the proposed law, are to enjoy greater
liberty in the sphere of their jurisdiction, more ex-
tensive powers must be united in the hands of the
chief of the province, so as to diminish the confu-
sion inherent in decentralisation by the application
of a remedy calculated to strengthen the bonds of
unity. There will be presented to you at same time
bills of which the object will be to render the col-
lection of the taxes more simple and uniform, to re-
form some portions of our system of taxation, and
to obtain by a more sensible method of accounts a
safe control and rapid check over the application of
the public money. The necessities and engagements
of the State do not allow us for the moment to
diminish, as I would wish, the burdens which weigh
upon my people.
" In the meantime the legitimate conversion of
my ecclesiastical patrimony into money, strict eco-

V EIS 5 PAP E R
,:-_---,,--...
- ~- _
nomy in the expenditure, a vigilant application of 2",
'sk
the new laws, and the severest .orality lu the con-
duct of all the branches of the p blic adniiiiistratioram'r
will make the payment of the tate.s_appear less bar 7.-4
densome. The prompt discussion andhiffectite aO.
plication of the proposed reforms can alone restore
our credit and remove the necessity for fresh im-
posts. The financial question is at the present day
not only a question of supreme interest for Italy, but
also one of honour and national dignity. Parlia-
ment will, I have no doubt, direct all its activity to
the solution of this question. On sllemn occasions
we have pledged ourselves to Europe chat we would
become a Power for the advancement of civilisation,
or ler,and peace so soon as we were placed in posses-
sion of our national existence. Now is the time for
Us to redeem that 'dodge, and ti fulfil the hopes
that have been placed in us.

• " Gentlemen of the Senate and Chamber of De-
puties,—The honour, the safety, and the ftiture'of
the nation are now in your hands, if it wasa glory
for us to have accomplished by so many sacrifices
the work of our independence, and to have endowed
the nation with the activity and vigour of life, it
will be no less a glory for U 3 to organise it at home
—to make it sure of itself, respected and strong."
The King concluded his speech amid loud and
prolonged cheering.

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• •
THIS DAY. —Morniug, 3h. 50m.—Afternoon, 4h. 10m.
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