The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-16 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

The following is the full text of the speech of
the Prince Regent of Prussia on the close of the
Prussian Diet :

" IllustrioUs, noble, and honoured Members of
both Chambers of the Diet,—

"In a few days we shall cordially greet with
sentiments of deep emotion the arrival of our King
and Master, who returns to his country. The
sojourn of his Majesty in a southern clime has
terminated. However beneficial may have been
the effects of that sojourn upon the King's health,
our prayers, our wishes, and our hopes for his com-
plete re-establishment still await their fulfilment.
" Your hearty wishes on the birth of my grand-
son have chimed in with my thankful prayers.
The Royal House, as well as the nation, behold in
that happy event a new pledge of the inseparable
community of their interests.
" The deliberations of this session of the Diet
have closed at 'a moment of agitation. You have,
gentlemen, submitted to a careful examination the
proposals made to you by the Government. In the
law courts the law relative to the modification of
some enactments of the penal code has done away with
a number of grievances,and supplied wants,the modi-
fication of which have been extended to the Commer-
cial Code of the Rhenish provinces,and will realize
many desired reforms. The law regulating the fish-
eries at the mouthof the Order and in the neighbour-
ing waters, as also the law relative to the irrigation of
the Rhenish provinces and Hohenzollern have re-
ceived the sanction of the two Chambers. Other
laws, of provincial interest, will provide for the
wants of those parts for which they have been
voted.

" I regret to say that the important bills relative
to a reform of the marriage law and landed property
have not been voted, owin6 to the time for the close
of the session having arrived. We shall have to
turn again to those two bills, as also to the bill
relative to the rights of property of married people
in Westphalia.
" Gentlemen,—l thank you for the unanimity and
devotion which you have displayed in upholding
the dignity of the Royal House in increasing the
Royal dotations.
" After a careful examination of the financial
'projects laid before you, you have provided the
means not only to satisfy in every respect the wants
of the actual Government, but also a number of
extra wants. It shall be the duty of my Govern-
ment to employ those supplies, under existing po-
litical circumstances, in a manner to anticipate
your approval.
"Commerce and industry, which had begun to
revive from the effects of a heavy crisis, have again
been shaken. The amount of remunerative labour
has diminished, and has been more restricted by
the rejection of the proposal made by my Govern-
ment for the purchase of the railway from the
Rhine to the Nahe. The • Government will exert
all its efforts to diminish the effects of this sad state
of affairs.

" Some disagreements have arisen respecting the
interpretation of some enactments of the Constitu-
tion and of the laws of the country between my
Government and the Upper Chamber, as also be-
tween the two Chambers of the Diet. I entertain
the firm conviction that the old Prussian sentiment
which so eminently pervades the national Parlia-
ment will know how to settle these disagreaments
satisfactorily to the interest of both Crown and
country, and that all hearts will unite stronger
than ever in that spirit of fidelity and devotion to
the King and to the country which has displayed
itself in so unmistakeable and consoling a manner
for my heart in the decisions you have recently
adopted.
" War, which the nnrelaxed and honest efforts-of
my Government strove in vain to prevent, has
broken out in Italy. The gravity of this event has
rendered it necessary to place the army on a war
footing, a measure which has also been extended to
the navy, for the ulterior development of which
you have voted the necessary supplies. The unani-
mous manner in which you have voted the heavy
sums required for the eventual mobilisation of the
whole army is an additional proof of the spirit of
patriotism which prevails in the country. Accept
my warmest thanks.
" The nation has not been behind you in its zeal.
All the reserves and all the militia have joyfully
rejoined their colours. The attitude of the army
and the spirit which animates it fill me with con-
fidence, whatever may be the events which the
future has in store for us. I know that when the
country shall require its services the army will not
remain behind the deeds of arms and military
prowess of our fathers.
" Gentlemen,—Prussia is resolved to maintain the
bases of international law and the balance of power
in Europe. (Preussen ist en tschlossen die Grundlagen
des Europaischen Rechts•Zustandes. des Gleichge-
wicht Europas zu wahren.) It is her right and her
duty to provide for the safety and the defence of
the national interests of Germany. She will not
relinquish the guardianship over those goods.
Prussia expects that all German Confederates will
stand firmly by her side in the solution of this
task, and will place their confidence in her desire
to act for the common country. •
" It is at a critical moment, gentlemen, that I bid
you return to your homes. May the Almighty,
extend his protecting hand over our beloved coun-
try, may He hearken to ou c prayers for our beloved
king and master.
" Join me in the shout, Long live the King !'”
The whole Assembly rose and gave three cheers
for the King.