The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-08-04
At the opening Of the French Legislative
Assembly on the I'd Of July, the Emperor Of
the French delivered the following speech :

Messieurs les Senator's !: Messieurs les Deputies
The diplomatic negotiations commenced during the
course of orr last session already made you foresee
that should be obliged to call You together when
they came to q termination. Unhappily the Confer
ences of Vienna have failed in procuring peace, and
I come again to appeal to the patriotism Of the coun-
try and to your own. Were we wanting in modera-
tion in settling the conditions i do not fear to ex-
anime the question before you.
One year already has passed since the commence.
ment Of the war, and already France and England
had saved Turkey, gained two battles, forced Russia
to ~evacuate the Principalities, and to exhaust her
forces in the defense Of the Crimea. We had, more
over, in our favor the adhesion of Austria, and the
moral appreciation of the rest Of Europe.
In that situation, the Cabinet of Vienna asked us
if we would consent to treat upon bases vaguely for.
mulated. Before our successes a refusal on our part
seemed natural. Was it not to be supposed, forsooth,
that the demands of France and England would in
crease in proportion to the greatness Of the struggle,
and of the sacrifices already made?
Well, France and England did not turn their adj
vantages to account, or even make the most of the
rights given to them by previous treaties, so much
had they at heart to facilitate peace, and to give an
interchangeable proof of their moderation.
We restricted ourselves to ask, in the interests of
Germany, the free navigation Of the Danube, and a
breakwater against the Russian food which %continu-
ally INSTRUCTED the mouths of that great river.
We demanded, in the interests Of Austria and of
Germany, a better constitution for the Danubian
Principalities, that they might serve as q barrier
against these repeated invasions of the North.
We demanded, in the interest of humanity and of
justice, the same guarantees for the Chritians of every
confession under the exclusive protection of the Sui
tan.
In the interests of the Porte, as well as in those of
Europe, we demanded that Russia should limit to a
reasonable degree, sufficient to shield her against any
attack, the number of her ships in the Black Sea, a
number which she could only maintain with an ag-
gressive object.
Well, all these propositions, which I may call
magnanimousf from their disinterestedness and which
were approved in principle by Austria, by Prussia,
and by Russia herself, have evaporated in the Con.
ferences.
Russia, who had consented, in theory, to put an
end to her preponderance in the Black Sea, has re-
fused every limitation of her naval forces, and we
have still to wait for Austria to fulfill her engage
ments, which consisted in rendering our treaty of
negotiations failed.
Austria, it is true, proposed to us to guarantee with
her by treaty the independence of Turkey, and to
consider for the future as a casus in increase of the
number OF Russian ships Of war exceeding that be-
fore the commencement of hostilities.
10 accept such q proposition was impossible, for
it in no manner bound Russia ; and, on the contrary,
we should apparently have sanctioned her prepon.
derance in the Black Sea by treaty.
The war had to follow its course. l.
The admirable devotion of the army and navy will.
l trust, soon lead to a happy result. 1t is for you to
provide me with the means to continue the struggle.
The country has already shown what resources it
has at its command, and the confidence it places in
me. "
Some months since it offered me LOO 900. OOOf
more than l demanded. A portion of that sum will
suffice to maintain its military honor and its rights
as a great nation.
had resolved to 60 and place myself in the midst
of that valiant army, where the presence of the Sow
ereign could not have failed to produce a happy in
%fuence, and, q witness of the heroic efforts Of our
soldiers, l should have been proud to lead them but
serious questions agitated abroad, which have always
remained pending, and the nature of circumstances
demanded at home new and important measures. It
Is, therefore, with regret that l abandoned the idea.
My government will propose to you to vote the an.
nual Recruitment bill; there will be no extraordinary
levy, and the bill will take the usual course necessary
for the regularity of the administration of a recruit
ment bill.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let us pay here solemn.
ly, a just tribute of praise to those who fight for the
country let us mingle our regrets for those whose
loss We have to deplore.
So great an example of unselfshness and constaucy
will not have been given in vain to the world.
Let us not be discouraged by the sacrifices which
are necessary, for, as you are aware, a nation must
either abdicate every political character, or, if it nos.
sesses the instinct and the will to act conformably
to its generous nature, to its historical traditions, to
its providential mission, it must learn how to sun.
port at times the trials which alone can retemper it
and restore it to the rank which is its due.
Faith in the Almighty. perseverance in our efforts
and we shall obtain a peace worthy of the alliance Of
two great nations.