Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-28
WRITER
orR PARIS coRREsroNpENCE.

PASS Tuesday, Feb. o, 1861.
T. he EFtor Of Me Wzig:
Yesterday, at one O'Clock, the Emperor in person
op.ued the Legislative session Of lsol Contrary tomy
expectations I was through courtesy OF a member
of the Cabinet; enabled TO the ceremony in all
It's imposing detail AT hapast twelve o'clock, the
g-est Hall Of the New Louvre presented most brilliant
spectacle With the exception OF tue imperial rortsgs
an the personag5s Who take part in the eeremons
or Who had been favored With cards OF invitation were
assembled Ou the steps Of the throne erected beneath
rich velvet canopy the upper end Of the Hall, were
stationed the Cardinals of France in their bright red
robes and skull caps the Ministers of the Emperor the
member, Of the Priyy Council the MlrshAs and Adm
rAs Of the Empire a depuuton Of the Grand Crosses Of
the Legion of Honor aud the Council Of State. On tie
door at the right OF the throne placed the mem
bers OF the Senate and the ie te Legislative BODY
In The rear OF these deputat0us OF the Grand Ohi'
GERS Of the Legion OF Honor the Court OF Cessation, the
Court Of Ac Ouuts the Academy Of France the lmp,ral
Tribunal Clergy OF different forms OF worship, tue Pre-
feet OF Paris the Pretec- Of POce the Municipal COun-
ell Of Paris the Mayors Of the twenty ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
the Minor Tribunals the Chamber OF Commerce and the
Stalls of the Army of Paris aud the National Glard-
an these flncuOuares Iere iu uutOrm. or wore their
robes Of Office aud the yiew Of the body OF the Hall
x4s bi nt in the extreme. Outside the bar were as
senblsd the invited persons, In fun evening dress
plrJl Of the rigbt-aaud gallery Was occupied by the
Corps Diplomatique opposite whom we're placed the
wives Of Ministers wives o. me bers Of the Puyy Couu-
ell Of Mar-hals OF Admiras AZ, the remaining space
bng crowded with other ladies' whose elegant costumes
formed appropriate setting to the Shttefus tnrohS
below.
A few moments before one O'Clock, the Empress,
cOmplued by the Young Prince Imperial the Prncesses
Of the Imperial family aud the ladies OF the household,
entered the hall and took seats in tribune on the right
OF the throne. AZ the stme time salyO OF twenty-oue
guns announced he departure OF the Emperor from the
Palace Of the Tujler es. precisely O'clock the
Emperor accompanied by the Princes Of his family and
the officers of hs household entered The ha st the lower
end and walked up the carpetei aisle the centre to
the throne The Emperor then read his speech in hr,
clear voice, distinctly audible IN all parts OF the vast
apartment The telegraph will probably bring full
report OF this document before my letter reaches It's deS
tuatoa but it may not be iu4p ropraie TO give brief
summary Of its main points.
The Imperial speech is this year, longer than usual
The first part devoted the ordained by the
decree Of November 24 1850 and recently confirmed by
the Senate In future the Chambers 10 vote an an
nua address in reply 10 the speech from the throne
The OF the address be debated with perfect
eedom and in it the Chambers will express their views
current affairs.
The Senate is a conservative body, and takes the in-
ta,ve ONLY under grave circumstances. Its duty 10
examine the cons.itutouai'y Of the laws aud the mum
Der Of IT, members cannot be exceeded. Tee Corps
Legsatif j. elected directly by the people aud no ad-
miuis.rave fuucionary belong 10 it. This Cham
Der 10 discuss with entire liberty, the measures pro-
posed Dy the Governments if any law IS defeated, the
Government will give due weight 70 the decision OF the
Chamber without the Emperor being thereby Obliged 70
change his Cabinet under the Parliamentary system.
Ia view OF the greatly increased cost OF hvng, the
Government has endcavOrei 20 render articles OF hrst
necessity cheap possible. The duties on "a" mate
ra have been therefore much diminished, and treaty
o. Commerce has been concluded with Great Britain
Treaties with other nations in pursuit OF the same me
Ot policy IN negotiation. Ia the accomplishment OF
these reforms sacrifice Of ninety millions OF annual
has been made but the financial statement 10 De
submit TO the Chambers will, nevertheless estAohSh
The existence Of periee; equilibrium, without the ne
eessity Of new tax or addition 70 the public debt
10 order 70 avoid increased complications in foreign
Affairs the Government has adopted toe principle OF non
Intervention leaving every country mistress OF ~ own
gsiuies. = ance Nil not sWerye from this policy, IN
% sdence the desires Of either the revolutionary or
thi rea tOnist extreme. she viii maintain her rights
defend her honor II attacked and lend ber assistance
when implOred in favor Of just cause.
The Provinces OF Nice and Savoy are now irevocably
united 70 France.
In the far Eas.. the French and English Rags have
waved upon the walls OF Pekn and the Cross OF Chris
uanity again surmOunts the religious ed6ces in the eap
al Of China which had heen closed for more than cen
tury.
In the name Of humanity aud in virtue Of an Euro
pean Convention Freueh army has been sent 70 Syria
70 protect the Christians against blind ianatiesn
The garrison Of Rome was reinforced when the seeu-
MY Of the Pope appeared in danger
French feet stationed, turng period OF iour
moaths before Gaeta 10 the belief thai t would be the
last refuge Of the King Of Naples lt has been WIN
drawn, because H presence gave rise % erroneous lh
Pretatons and obliged the EmperOrs Government 10 de-
part from il principle Of neutrality.
These are the salient features Of the sp CO, vnieo
concludes with the evident fact that nation Of forty
millions has nothing fear from IL enemies and an e1
hoStAtiOn 70 lock a the future with corhaeEee.