Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-04-01
THE FRENCH EMPIRE.

Opening Of the Legis1ature--the Emperors
speech-his opinion Of par, etc.
The Emperor opened the legislative session
| of 1854 on Thursday, the ID inst:
His speech commenced by referring to the
deficient harvest, 1000 900 hectolItres OF wheat
having been imported, and more on the way
Famine has been averted, but war IS beginning.
| France has gone as far as honor permitted to
avoid a collision, but now draw the sword
She has 10 views of ACCOMPLISHMENT. The days
of conquest are passed, never to return.
The results of the frank and unselfish policy
, of France IRE known. England, her former
rival. is now in alliance, and becoming daily
more intimate; Germany, in distrus'tul remem-
brancc of former wars, and from hitherto pay
ing too much Difference to the politics OF st.
Petersburg, has already received independence
of action, and considers freely on what side
lies her true interest; Austria, above all, which
could not see with Indifference the events
which were 10 progress, will enter into an al
lance, and will thus give her testimony to the
injustice OF the war. Here, then, stands the
case. Europe, treasured by the moderation Of
the Emperor Alexander Of 1915, and of the
Emperor Nicholas of the present time, seemed
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colossal power which, by successive encroach-
ments, embraced the north and the centre OF
Europe, and which possesses almos! exclusively
two internal seas, whence it is easy for its ar
mics and fleets to launch forth against ~civiliza-
ton; and its unfoundcd demand on the East
has awakened Europe. The injustice of the
act by which a powerful sovereign demands
concessions from u weaker one, and because he
.,,.at nI<,;, than, inv,1., t,pn oS hi, nrnvIn-
ces, is enough to put arms in the hands ofthose
who revolt from injustice; but France has also
an equal interest with England in preventing
Russian supremacy from extending itself indies
finiteIy over Constanlinople; for to be supreme
in Cons,antinople is to be supreme in the Medi-
terranean. To protect this right has been for
ages the policy Of every national government ia
France, and | will not desert it. We are going,
therefore, to Constaniinople TO defend the
cause Of the Sul,an--protect the rights Of
Christians, defend the freedom of he seas, and
Frances just rights in the Med!terranean--are
going with Germany, to aid Germany--wilh
Austria, to aid in preserving the rank from
which they wish to degrade her, to secure her
frontier against the proponderance Of her too
powerful neigtibor; are going, in short, with all
those who desire the triumph of right, ofjustice
and civilization. In this solemn con u%ncture.
gentlemen, is it that | shall be obliged to appeal
to the country. rely firmly upon you, for
have always found in you the generous senti-
ments which animate the nation. Strong, then,
in this security--in the nobleness of our cause,
in the frmness of our alliances and the protec.
ton Of God, | hope soon to arrive at a peace
which shall no longer depend on the power Of
any one to disturb it with impInity.
The English press is unanimous in praising
this speech.