Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-14

to | o'clock the master Of ceremonies an.
nounced the Empress. A salyo Of l0l guns an.
nounced her arrival, and attended by the
Princess Matilde, and bevy of ladies. Eugene
entered and took her place in front Of the
throne. Immediately thereafter the Emperor,
attended by q brilliant cortege, entered the hall
and took his seat on the throne. Prince
Jerome Napoleon seated himself on the right.
Prince Lucien Louis, and Prince Lucien Murat
on the left. An usher proclaimed, "Gentle-
men, be seated"-after which Napoleon pro-
nounced the following:
| Speech.
Gentlemen, Senator's and Deputies: Since
our last meeting, great events have happened.
The appeal which made to the country to
cover the expenses Of the war was so well re.
sponded to that the result even surpassed our
| hopes. Our arms have been victorious in the
Baltic and in the Black Sea. Two great battles
have shed lustre on our flag. Striking test-
mony has proved the intimacy of our relations
with England. The British Parliament has
voted thanks to our generals and soldiers. A
great empire, Refrigerated by the sAivalrous
spirit of its sovereign, has separated itself from
the power which for forty years has menaced
| the lnQcpenOence OF Europe.
"The Emperor of Austria has concluded a
treaty, defensive OF present, soon, perhaps, Of
| fensive, which unites his cause to that Of
France and England. Thus, gentlemen, the
longer the war continues the more numerous
becomes the number of our allies, and the
closer are drawn the bonds already formed.
What frmer bonds can there, in fact, be, than
those bearing the names of victories belonging
to the two armies and recalling common
| glory ?-than the same anxieties and the same
hopes agitating the two countries?-than the
| same views and the same intentions animating
the two governments in every corner Of the
| globe?
"Thus the alliance with England is not the
result Of passing interest and Of policy Of
circumstances; it is the union of two powerful
nations, associated together for the triumph of
cause in which, for more than century, their
greatness, the interest Of civilization, and, at
the same time, the liberty Of Europe have been
engaged.
| HUnite, then, with me on this solemn occa
sion, to thank here, in the name of France, the
British Parliament, for its cordial and warm
demonstration, and the English army and its
worthy commander, for their valiant co-ope-
| ration.
| "Next year, if peace should not have been
re-established, hope that shall have to rem
der similar thanks to Germany, the union and
prosperity Of which we DESIRE am happy to
/ pay q Just tribute of praise to the army and
| feet, which, by their devotion and discipline,
have worthily responded to my expectations, in
France as iniAlgeria, in the North as in the
| South.
Cup to the present moment the army Of the
East has had to suffer, and has overcome every
thing-disease, FIRE, tempest and privations-
citadel necessarily reprovisioned, defended by
formidable artillery by land and sea--two
hostile armies, superior in numbers. Nothing
could weaken its courage or impede its impet-
uosity. Every man has nobly done his duty,
from the marshal who bid death wait till victory
had crowned him, down to the privates and
sailors, whose last cry in expiring was prayer
for France--an exclamation for the elect of the
| country.
"Let us, then, declare together that the army
and the feet have well deserved of their coun-
| try. War, it is true, entails cruel sacrifices,
| yet everything commands me to push it on
with vigor; and with that object in view,
count upon your assistance.
"The land army consists at present OF
So, 900 soldiers and $4,000 horses; the navy
of $4,000 sailors, on board ship.
at is indispensable to keep up this effective
force. To fill up the vacancies caused by an
4 huoi hpOiotioho ouu \ TcqueSt from
you, as did last year, q levy Of 100000 nrrn,
| aud bill will be introduced 70 ameliorate
without increasing the expenses Of the treas
| ury) the condition of the soldiers who will re-
engage. 1t viii afford immense advantages
by increasing the number Of old soldiers in the
army, and by diminishing the oppression Of
consumption. This bill viii, hope, soon have
your appreciation.
81 shall ask your authority to conclude
new national loan. Doubtless such measure
will increase the national debt, but let it not be
forgotten that, by my conversion Of the Rente
the interest of that debt has been reduced TWEEN.
ty-one millions and half Ny efforts have
been directed to place the expenses on a foot
ing. with the receipts, and the ordinary Budget
will be presented to you balanced. The re-
sources of the loan alone will suffice for the ex-
penses Of the war.
You will see with pleasure that our reve-
nues have not diminished. Commercial activity
is maintained-all the great works of public
utility are continued-and Providence has
deigned to grant us q harvest which will satisfy
| ell our wants.
Government, nevertheless, does not shut
its eyes to the distress occasioned by the high
| price OF provisions, and has taken every meas.
ure in its power to provide against this dis
tress and to relieve II. New sources of labor
have been created in many districts.
The struggle which is going on, circum.
scrlbed by moderation and justice, whilst il
makes the heart beat, nevertheless alarms so
little, that shortly an assembly will be held here
from all parts Of the globe, with the products
of peace. Strangers will be struck by the re-
markable spectacle Of country which, count
ing on Divine Providence, maintains with en-
ergy war at six hundred leagues from its from.
tiers, and, which, at the same time, with equal
zeal, developes its internal riches-a country
which does not prevent agriculture and indus
try from prospecting, the arts from Aourishing-
and where the genius of the nation reveals it.
self in everything which tends TO the glory Of
France"
The Emperors speech was frequently inter-
rupted by accamations, and terminated amid
repeated cries of "Vive pEmpereur.n Imme-
diately thereafter the newly appointed Senators
and Deputies took the oaths. The session was
declared formally opened, and the Emperor and
Empress Quilted the hall under salute Of ar.