The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-15 00:00:00

Speech of the Emperor Maximilian.

The following is the speech of the Emperor Maximilian
in reply to the address of the deputation who waited on his
Majesty to express their condolence at the death of King
Leopold:—
" Gentlemen,—I thank you for the sympathy you have
manifested in the grief of the Empress and myself for the
trouble that has befallen us. In such a misfortune there is
much to console us in the remembrance of tho great and
noble examples that have been left us as a heritage by the
late King of the Belgians. He, like ourselves, in accept-
ing the throne that a people offered him, had a nation to
constitute and a Government to found. Thanks to the dis-
interested intervention of France, he was enabled to make
pea6e succeed to war, and devoted himself without inter-
mission to institute valuable interior reforms. He promised
liberty to his people, and during a long period of 35 years
he fulfilled his word. He promised the country security
and tranquillity, and he gave them both to it, consolidating
also its independence. He did more ; he elevated it to a
distinguished rank among the States of Europe and even
made it one of the first in commercial importance and free-
dom of thought, leaving its escutcheon and noble flag with-
out a stain. We shall endeavour to profit by this great
example, by which God has shown us that His providence
never forsakes just and honourable monarchs in their noble
enterprises.
" His daughter, the Empress, has just returned from a
toilsome journey into distant lands, in a dangerous cli-
mate, with no other safeguard than the love of the people;
everywhere the has met with a frank and cordial recep-
tion, that has shown over again the sympathy that exists
between the nation and ourselves, when the discon-
tented were pleased to say that my august consort would
only meet with indifference ; when caluminators dared
pretend that she would forget her duty and return to
Europe. On this occasion lam happy to express particu-
larly my deep gratitude to heroic Vera Cruz and beautiful
Yucatan, who have received the Empress with an affection
that will ever remain engraven on my heart. As to my-
self, gentlemen, you have been witnesses of my labours.
Leaving aside the vain theories which lead to anarchy, I
have consecrated my time to the direction of the public
administration, to the development of the elements of the
wealth and prosperity of the country, and to the solution
of the great questions which interest it the most.
"In this arduous task I have been obliged to encounter
the impatience of some and the backwardness of others ;
for wounds opened by fifty years of civil war are not healed
in a day ; but, strong in faith, I go straight to my end
with an indefatigable perseverance. My strength may
fail ; my will never. My object is not to change the de-
mocratic customs of the nation, because I am convinced
that they elevate the mind of the citizen in inspiring him
with the consciousness of his dignity and value. 1 have
respected the libert3f the press when it has not degene-
rated into licence, at the same time that I have made the
authority of the land respected. He must be blind indeed
that does not see that a strong authority is the last anchor
of safety for our country. You have seen my calmness in
the midst of calumnies that have been pointed against us
by foreigners. Forward, gentlemen ; the calumnies will
pass, but our works will remain. Strong in the support of
my conscience and the purity of my intentions, I contem-
plate the future with tranquillity. Mexico halput her hon-
, our in my hands. Let her know that her honour is secure."

LORD WESTBURY, it is said, intends to leave Italy
at Easter, and to remain in town during the session, in
order to take an activo part in the appellate jurisdiction of
the Rollo of Lords.