The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-30
Louis Napoleon's Speech.

Louis Nap0le0n's Speech.
We make the following extracts from the
late important speech Of Napoleon to the
French Chamber:
In Europe, difficulties approach, as l
trust their termination, and Italy is on the
eve of constituting herself free. Without
referring to the long negotiations which have
been dragging along for so many months, l
shall confne myself to a few principal
points. ...-. ....4 -........--1
The dominant idea of the treaty of Villa
franca, was to obtain the almost complete
independence of Venitia at the price Of the
restoration of the archdukes. That trans
action having failed, despite my most earn
est endevors, 1 have expressed my regret
thereat at Vienna as well as at Turin for
the situation by being prolonged threatened
to lead to no issue. While it was the OBJ
ject of frank explanations between my Gov
eminent and that of Austria, it suggested
to England, to Prussia, to Russia, measures,
the whole of which clearly prove, on the
part of the great powers, their desire to
obtain reconciliation of all the interests.
To second these dispositions it was neces-
sary for France to present that combination
the adoption of which would have the
greatest chance of being accepted by Eu.
rope. Guaranteeing Italy by my army
against foreign Intervention, 1 had the right
to assign the limits of that guaranty. There
fore did not hesitate to declare to the king
of Sardinia that, while leaving him full
liberty of action, I could not follow him in
policy which had the fault of appearing in
the eyes of Europe desire to absorb all
the States of Italy, and which threatened
new complications. / conuseled him to re-
ply favorably to the wishes of the provinces
which should offer themselves to him, but to
maintain the independence of Tuscany, and
to respect in principle the rights of the Ho-
ly See. If this arrangement does not satisfy
everybody, it has the advantage of reserving
principles, of calming apprehensions, and
making Piedmont kingdom of more than
100000 souls.
Looking to this transformation of North.
ern Italy, which gives to powerful State all
the passes of the Alps, it was my duty, for
the security of the frontiers, to claim the
French slopes of the mountains. This reas-
sertion of claim to territory of small
extent has nothing in it of nature to alarm
Europe, and give denial to the policy of
disinterestedness which have proclaimed
more than once, for France does not wish
to proceed to this aggrandizement, however
small it may be, either by military occupa-
ton, or by provoked Instruction, or by
underhand maneuvers, but by frankly ex.
planning the question to the great powers.
They will doubtless understand, in their
equity, as France would certainly under
stand it for each of them, under similar cir
cumstances, that the important territorial
Encouragement which is about to take place,
| gives US right to guarantee indicated by
| nature herself
l can not pass over in silence the emotion
of portion of the Catholic world; it has
| given way suddenly to such inconsiderate
Impressions it has given itself up to such
passionate alarms the past, which ought to
be guarantee for the future, has been so
much overlooked, the services rendered so
much forgotten, that needed very deep
conviction and confidence absolute con-
fidence in public common sense to establish,
in the midst of the agitations endeavored to
be excited, that calm which alone maintains
us in proper path.
Facts, however, speak loudly for them
selves. For the last eleven years 1 have
sustained alone at Rome the power of the
Holy Father, without having ceased single
day to revere in him the sacred character of
the chief of our religion. On another side
the population of the Romagna, abandoned
all at once to themselves, have experienced
natural excitement, and sought during the
war to make common cause with us. Ought
l to forget them in making peace, and TO
hand them over anew for an definite time
to the chances of foreign occupation? My
first efforts have been to reconcile them to
their sovereign, and, not having succeeded,
l have tried at least to uphold in the revolt
ed provinces the principle of the temporal
power of the Pope.