Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-07-28
Speech of the French Emperor.

Speech of the French Emperor.
At the opening of the French Legislativ
Assembly on the I'd of July, the Emperor Q
the French delivered the following speech:
Nessieurs les Senator's ct les Deputies.-Th
diplomatic negotiations commenced during tn
course of our last session already made 70,
foresee that should be obliged to call you to
gether when they terminated Unhappily tn
conferences of Vienna have been powerless t.
procure peace, and come again to appeal t,
your patriotism and to the patriotism of tn,
country.
Were we wanting in moderation to settle thu
conditions? do not fear to examine the ques
ton before you. Nearly one year had passed
since the commencement of the war, and al
ready France and England had saved Turkey
gained two battles, forced Russia to evacuate
the Principalities, and to exhaust her forces in
the defence of the Crimea. We had, moreover
in our favor, the adhesion of Austria and the
moral appreciation of the rest of Europe.
In this situation the cabinet of Vienna asked
us if we would consent to treat upon basis
vaguely formulated before our success. A re-
fusal on our part seemed natural Was it no,
to be supposed, in fact, that the demands oil
France and England would increase in proper.
ton to the greatness of the struggle and of the
sacrifices already made? Well, France and
England did not turn their advantages to ac-
count, or even make the most of the rights
given to them by previous treaties so much had
they at heart to facilitate peace and give an
interchangeable proof of their moderation.
We restricted ourselves to ask, in the inter-
ests Of Germany, the free navigation of the
Danube, and a breakwater against the Russian
flood which continually INSTRUCTED the mouths
Of that great river. We demanded in the in
terest of Turkey and Austria a better constitu-
ton for the Danubian Principalities, that they
might serve as q barrier against the repeated
invasions of the North. We demanded, in the
interests of humanity and Of justice, the same
guarantees for the Christians of every confess
sion under exclusive protection of the Sultan.
In the interest of the Porte, as we'll as in those
of Europe, we demanded that Russia should
limit to a reasonable degree, sufficiently to
shield her against any attack, the number of
her ships in the Black Sea, number which
she could only maintain with an aggressive
object.
Well, all these propositions, which may
call magnanimous, from their disinterestedness,
and which were approved in principle by Aus
tria, by Prussia, and by Russia herself, evapo-
rated in the Conferences. Russia, who had
consented, in theory, to put an end to her pre-
ponderance in the Black Sea, has refused every
limitation of her naval forces, and we have still
to wait for Austria to fulfill her engagements,
which consisted in rendering our treaty Of
alliance offensive and defensive if the negotia-
tons failed.
Austria, it is true, proposed to us to guar
antee with her by treaty the independence of
Turkey, and to consider for the future as q
casus belh an increase of the number of Rus
sian ships of war exceeding that before the
commencement of hostilities. To accept such
proposition was impossible, for it in no man
ner bound Russia; and, on the contrary, we
should have appeared to sanction her prepon-
derance in the Black Sea by treaty. The war
had to follow its course.
The admirable devotion of the army and
navy will, trust, soon lead to happy result.
It is for you to provide me with the means to
shown what resources it has at its command,
and the confidence it places in me. Some
months since it offered me LOO, O0O, 900 francs
more than demanded.
A portion of that sum will suffice to main
tain its military honor aud its rights as great
nation. l had resolved to 60 and place myself
in the midst of that valiant army, where the
presence of the sovereign could not have failed
to produce happy influence, and, a witness of
the heric efforts Of our soldiers, should have
been pround to lead them; but serious ques-
tons agitated abroad, which have always re-
remained pending, and circumstances at home
demanded new and important measures. 1t
was, therefore, with regret that abandoned
the idea.
My Government will propose to you to vote
the annual Recruitment bill. There will be no
levy, and the bill will take the
usual course necessary for the regularity of the
of recruitment bill year in
advance.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let US pay here,
just tribute of praise to those who
fight for the country; let us mngle olr regrets
for those whose loss we have to depFore. So
great an example of abnegation and Sonstancy
will not have been given in vain to the world.
Let not the necessary sacrifices discourage us,
for, as you are aware, . nation must either
abdicate every political character, Or if it pos
sessess the instinct and the will to act confor-
mably to its generous nature, to its providen-
tial mission, it must learn how to support at
times the trials which alone can resemper it,
and restore it to the rank which has been given
to it. G 5E s-s-H - 9st
Faith in the Almighty, perseverance in our
eHorts, ana we shall arrive at peace worthy
of the alliance Of two great nations.
ENGLISH IGNORANCE OF AMERIcA.-Very few
Englishmen know much in regard to the United
States, and our people oftentimes have much
merriment over the blunders of their English
friends A Boston merchant was asked at .
dinner party in England, . short time since, if
there were many people in Boston who knew
the English language? Another Of our friends
was inquired Of in London if the Indians in
Boston worshipped at the same churches as the
white residents? One of the most recent in
stances Of this ignorance Of the state of affairs
in the United States is letter from Gan officer
serving in Canada" published in the London
Times, who proposes to raise . body Of soldiers
In Canada for the Crimea, by the Queens Of
fering pardon to ell the deserters from Her
Majestys service in the United States. This
officer thinks that at least two thousand men
might be obtained by such means, and recon-
nends that officers should be appointed Ill