Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-12
OPENING OF THE FRENCH LEGISLATURE.
sPrYcH OF TIE EMPERoR-His VIEWS ON VARIOUS


SUBJECTS.
The opening Of the French Legislature look piacs
on the 18th nit, and the Emperor delivered compar.
atively lengthy speech upon the occasion. Al'er
dwelling upon local matters, comprising sllusions to
the Internal progress Of the country, nnanciai ana
military and naval affairs he PROCEEDED ~ too%s:
1The establishments of arsenas are occupied
with the alterations which are SO necessary IN inc
structure of ships Our navy upholds on every sea
the honor of our flag In China 1t comoats, Ill con-
cert with the English feet TO obtain redress Tor COM
mon injuries and to avenge the oooo OF our uss1n
aries who have been cruelty massacred. The rela
tons of France with foreign powers have never been
better than at present. Our old allies, faithful to the
sentiments arising out Of our common cause die play
towards US the same confidence as betor"; and the
new ones, by their good offices and loyal co opera
ton upon all great questions, would almost Gauss us
to regret that wehad combated against them.
81 have been enabled TO convince myself, at o.
borne at Stuttgart that my desire 10 preserve the
clossness of former ties and also my wish 10 form
new ones were equally participated in by The chiefs
OF two great empires. II the policy OF France 10 ap'
precated in Europe il deserves, 1t Is because VIZ
have the good sense to meddls only with questions
which directly concern u.s. whether az naton or 40
agreat European power. nave, therrore' aostau
ed from interfering in the question OF the Duchie'
by which Germany is at present aei'aleo LOT ,na'
purely German question will continue to be such as
long as the integrity Of Denmark shall not De Unreal
ened. II, on the other hand, have occupied my
self with the affairs of Neuohate il IS because Tue
v
was 30 happy upon that occasion as to contribute 10
the definite conclusion of dispute which might have
become dangerous 10 the repose OF Europe
with respect to the Principal'tles, Acknowledgement
il expressed at our disagreement with several OF our
allies The reason is that the dsinterested policy ot
France has always led her to favor as far as treaties
permit the desires OF those people who turn their
ewes towards her. Nevertheless, the conferences
about to be held at Paris will permit us to exercise
spirit Of Cancellation calculated to lessen the dltcu'
ties inseparable FROM Emergencies OF opinion.
:" at is truth written on every page OF the
history of France and England, that liberty without
restraint entrave) is impossible rs long as there e1'
lets in the country an obstinate faction which denies
the fundamental bases Of the government For then
liberty instead of eulightennS, controlling, aneo
rating becomes in the hands of parties merely lever
TO overturn. Thus es have not accepted the power
of the nation in order 10 acquire an ephemera popu
lsrity, the decetfu price ut concessions extorteu
from weakness but in order 10 deserve the spprooa'
ton OF posrerity by founding something durable 10
France do not fear to say to you thaf Whatever
may be said the present danger does not lie ia the
excessive prerogatives OF power, out rather III Tue
absence Of repressve laws.
Thu, the late elections notwithstanding their sat.
isfactory result, have in certain localities odeted an
citing spectacle; conflicting parties have tax. ad
vantage of them TO agtae the country, aud We have
seen some men boldly avowing themselves enemies OF
our institutions deceive the electors aud after
having obtained their votes by false promises repud'
ate them with disdsn. You will not permit the repe.
tition of such a scandal and you will oolge every
eligible candidate TO take the oath to the constitution
before placing himself before the electors. The pac
hcaton Of mems minds should be the constant aim oil
our endesvors. and you will aid me 10 reduce every
extr-me and iactious opposltioD TO silence.
us it not painful 10 a country which is tranquil
prosperous and respected i'll Europe, to see on one
hand persons revie agovernlnent TO which they owe
the security they enjoy aud the men abusing
the free exercise OF their political rights 10 undermine
institutions accepted with eagerness by the pationf-
Let those who ns,igate troubles and organize plots
know that their day is past.
III cannot conclude without speaking 10 you OF the
criminal attempt which has just taken place. re-
turn thanks 10 Heaven for the visible protection with
which it has covered the Empress and myself, and
mourn that even one life should have been lost Nov
ertheless, there oonspiracies teach more than one
useful esson. The first is that the parties who have
recourse to assassination prove their weakness and
impotence by the desperateDess Of their maans; The
second that an assassination has never proved suc
cess-has never served the cause OF those who have
armed the hand of the assassin. Neither those who
struck down Cesar nor those who killed Henry Nv
prohtsd by the murder. God never permits The tri
umph of the cause OF crime. Thus, ihese attempt:
can neither trouble my confidence in the present, moi
my faith in the future If live the empire will live
with me, and should fall the empire would even b'
confirmed by my death, for the Indignation Of To.
people aud the army would furli'h new supper, Il
the throne Of my con. Let then look forward (,
the future with confidence; let us proceed without
anxious thoughts to iaskthe good of all and tbs
grandeur Of the country. God protect France