The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-17 00:00:00

OPENING

OF THE

FRENCH LEGISLATURE,

THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

The session for 1857 was opened this day in
the Palace of the Tuileries by the Emperor. The
ceremony, which was the same, nearly in all re-
spects, as on the last occasion, took place in the
Hall of the Marshals. The throne was placed on a
platform before the embrasure of the window look-
ing on the garden. On the right of the Emperor
wore his uncle, Prince Jerome Napoleon, and Prince
Louis Lucien, who arrived from London yesterday
for the opening ; and on his left, Prince Napoleon
and Prince Murat. On either side, after the Princes
of the family having rank at the Court, were the
Grand Almoner, the Grand Chamberlain, the
Cardinals, the Ministers, the Marshals of
France, and Admirals. To the light of the
Throne were the members of the Diplomatic
Corps ; in front, the President, Vice-Presidents,
Grand Referendary, and Senators ; to the left,
the Presidents, &c., of the Legislative Corps and
the Deputies. To the rear of the Senate were
seated the deputations of the Court of Cassation,
and of the other law courts, the representatives
of the clergy of the various churches, the Pre-
fects of the Seine and Police, the General com-
manding the National Guard and his Staff, the
General and Officers of the Imperial Guard, those
of the Army of Paris, the First Military Divi-
sion, and a, number of superior officers of the
navy.

The high galley that runs round the hall was
reserved for the Empress and the Princesses of the
imperial Family, and the Grand Master and
Mistress and Ladies of the Households of the Em-
press, and the Princess Mathilde, as also the
ladies specially invited. Her Majesty's place was
in the centre, and opposite the Emperor's Throne.
It is hardly necessary to say that all present were
in full dress ; the usual forms of precedence and
etiquette were observed on entering and on
leaving the hall. The Emperor, whose ar-
rival was announced by a salute of 101
guns, appeared at one o'clock. The whole as-
semblage rose to receive him. He at once took
his place on the throne, and the Grand Master of
the Ceremonies called out—" Gentlemen, be
seated."

The Emperor then stood up, and read in an
audible voice the following speech :

" Messieurs les Senateurs, Messieurs les
Deputes,
" Last year my opening speech terminated by
calling on Providence to vouchsafe to us his Divine
protection. I asked Hiur to guide our efforts in
the path most conformable to the interests of hu-
manity and of civilisation ; and that prayer ap-
pears to have been listened to.
" Peace was signed, and the difficulties of detail
which arose in the execution of the treaty of Paris
have been in the end happily surmounted.
" The difference between the King of Prussia and
the Helvetic Confederation has lost all its warlike
character, and. we have reason to hope for a speedy
and favourable solution.
" The good understanding re-established be-
tween the three protecting powers of Greece renders
unnecessary a prolongation of the sojourn of the
English and French troops in the Pincus.
" If a disaccord, which is to be regretted, arose
on the subject of the affairs of Naples, it must be
imputed to the desire which equally animates the
Government of Queen Victoria and mine to act
everywhere in favour of humanity and civilisation.
" Now that abetter understanding exists between
all the great Powers, we must labour seriously to
regulate and to develope at home the strength and
riches of the nation. We must struggle against the
evils from which no society, in course of progress,
is exempt.
"Civilisation, although it has for object the moral
amelioration and material well-being of the majo-
rity, advances, it must be admitted, like an army.
Its victories are not obtained without sacrifices and
without victims ; these rapid lines of railway,
which facilitate communications, open new outlets
to commerce, displace interests, and throw into the
rear such countries as are still deprived of them ;
these useful machines, which multiply the labour of
man, first replace it, and momentarily leave many
hands unoccupied :—these mines, which dissemi-
nate over the world a quantity of specie hitherto
unknown, this increase in the public fortune, which
increases consumption tenfold, tend to vary the
price and raise the value of all things ;—that in-
exhaustible source of riches, denominated credit,
gives birth to marvels, and nevertheless the' exag-
geration of speculation leads to much individual
ruin. Hence the necessity, without arresting pro-
gress, of coming to the aid of those who cannot fol-
low its accelerated march.
"It is necessary to stimulate some, restrain others,
and supply food to the activity of that panting,
restless, and exacting society which, in France, ex-
pects everything from the Government, and to
which, nevertheless, it must oppose the bounds of
possibility and the calculations of reason.
" To enlighten and to direct—such is our duty.
The country, it must be admitted, is prosperous,
for, in spite of the war and the scarcity of food, the
movement of progress has not been checked. The
product, of the indirect taxes, which is the certain
indication of public wealth, exceeded in 1856 by
more than 50 millions the amount, already so ex-
ceptional, of 1855. Since the re-establishment of
the Empire, these revenues have increased by 210
millions, exclusive of the now taxes. Nevertheless
great suffering exists among a part of the people,
and so long as Providence shall not send us an
abundant harvest, the millions given by private
charity and by the government will only be a feeble
palliative.
"Let us redouble our efforts to remedy evils
which are beyond human foresight.
" Several departments were last year visited by
the scourge of inundation. I have every reason to
hope that science will succeed in obtaining the
mastery over nature ; and I make it a point of ho-
nour that, in France, rivers, like revolution, shall
return within their bed, and never again issue forth.
"A no less serious cause of uneasiness is to be
found in the public mind. Whenever a crisis super-
venes, there is no kind of false rumour or false doc-
trine that is not thrown into circulation
by igno-
rance or malevolence. The manufacturing interests
of the nation were even lately disquieted, as though
the government could possibly wish for anything
but their development and prosperity.
" The duty of all- good citizens is therefore to
everywhere disseminate the enlightened doctrines
of political economy, and principally to strengthen
those vacillating minds which at the first breath, I
will not say of ill fortune, but the slightest check
to prosperity, sow discouragement and increase un-
easiness by their imaginary alarms.
"In presence of the different exigencies of the
situation, I have resolved on reducing the expenses
without suspending the great works now in course
of execution, and without compromising existing
interests, and on diminishing certain taxes without
affecting the finances of the State.
" The budget of 1858 will be presented to yo 4 in
equilibrio ; all the expenses that could be foreseen
are therein set forth.
"The produce of the loans will suffice to defray
the expenses of the war.
" All the services of the State will be fully pro.
vided for, without its being necessary for us to
again have recourse to public credit.
°"
The budgets of the Departments of War and
Marine have been reduced within just limits, in
such a manner as to preserve the cadres, to respect
the promotions so gloriously gained, and to keep
up a military force worthy of the grandeur of the
country.
It is with this idea that the annual con-
tingent has been fixed at 100,000 men, being