Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-02-12

France and America-Address NAPOLEON ~ she
ep*ning the Legislative Body.
The Session of the Senate and Corps Legisatif,
opened the 18th ult, by the Emperor, who delivered
the following speech
MEasIEuRs LIS SEsATEuPs, nj EseIERss LES DEPUTIES
The Legislative Body is about to commence its last
Session. To have anticipated the term liked BY the
Constitution would have been 10 my opinion an act OF
ngratitude toward the Chamber OF msfrust toward the
country.
The tinas have passed when il thought necessary
to take advantage OF happy incident to make sure oil
the votes of restricted number OF electors. At the
present day, when every is aware that tie masses
no longer possess the estessness OF former con-
vctions do not change at the slightest breath which
seems to agitate the political atmosphere.
AS meet for the last time, it is advisable to-
cast retrospective glance upon what we have done to-
gether durins, the last five years for it is only by
taking connected view of period of years that cor
rect Judgment can be fome of the consequent spirit
with which the aff4rs of the country have been
managed
It is usual thing to suspect in the acts of
eigns some secret motive some mysterious combina-
ton my policy has always been simply to increase
the prosperity of France and her moral preponderance
without weakening the power placed in my hands to
maintain abroad within the limits right and of treaties
the legitimate aspirations of nations toward better po
sition to develop commercial relations with those
countries toward which drawn closer by great
er community OF interests to erase from diplomatic
ga chmens the old questions OF litigation SO as to OBJ
vate all pretexs Of misunderstanding to insist finally,
upon full reparation for any insult offered to our flag
for any PFC JUDGE against our countrymen.
It is thus that according to circumstances, have
been enat!td to carry out these principles.
In the East the national wish OF the Danuban Prln-
CAPABILITIES form only people, could not find US un
concerned and our support has contributed TO cement
their union.
We have given our support to what We thought JUS
tfable in the grievances of Syria and OF Montenegro,
and of the Christians of Syria without disavowng the
rights of the Ottoman Porte.
Our arms have defended the independence of Italy
without tampering with neutrality-suspicious. altering
after the day of battle friendly relations with our
adgersaries, even for day-without abandoning the
Holy Father, whom our honor and our past engage
ments bound US to support.
We have suppressed the OF misunderstan ling
which might have arisen with Spain, either from the
non defamation Of the frontier line, from the old
debt of 1928 and with Swilz rland the difference
specting the Valley of the Dappes.
Commercial treaties have been, or are On the eve OF
being concluded with England, Belgium, Prussia Italy
and Switzerland.
Finally, expeditions to China, Cochin China, and
Mexico prove that there not any countries mat
ter how far distant where any attempt ansu the honor
of France remains unpublished. Such facts could not
be accomplished Without compiled ions. Duty always
advances through danger. Nevertheless, France has
been increased by two provinces The barriers which
separated from cur neghbors have been removed;
vast territory has been thrown open to activity in
the tar East and what is better than conquess, we
have acquired claims to the sympathy of the nhab-
tans without losing the confidence and esteem of the
governments.
During the years recently passed have been enabled
to have personal interviews with the most Of the reign
ing Sovereigns and from those interviews friendly rea.
ons have arisen, which SO many guarantees tor the
peace of Europe. This peace caLnot be disturbed By
the events which have just taken place in Greece
This brief sketch OF the past is guarantee to you
for the future and despite the pressure of unteract-
ing events and OF opposing opinions, hope that you
will admit that have always unainchDgly followed the
same line OF conduct. AS more particularly regards
position at home, | have endcavored, on the
hand by complete amnesty, to obiterate, as far as
could, the remembrance OF civil dscords and on
the other band to increase the Importance of tie great
bodies of the State.
L we called you to take direct part IL the
Government. | have given to your deliberations all
the guaran which freedom of discussion could claim
have renquiahed prerogatve, hitherto deemed in
dispensable, so as to allow the Legislative Body to
troll the expenses in absolute manner, and to
give more soidity to the bases upon which public credit
rests.
To reduce expenses the army and navy, estimates
have been considerably diminished. he floating debt
has been lou ed and by the achieved by the
conversion OF the Rentes great step has been taken to-
ward the settlement (tn7fcataon) of that debt. The in
direct revenues show continual ncreas from the SIM
pie fact of the general increase of prosperity, and <he
condition the Empire would be ourishing If the war
America had dried up OF the most fruitful
sources of our industry Tie forced stognaton of To-
Dor has caused many districts amount of desatu-
tom aCh1C deser aU socltude, end grant tcW
be asked from you for the support of those who t0h
igna1on submit to the effects of misfortune achic is
not an pot0er TO put top to. Nevertheless, have
made the attempt t. send beyond the Atlantic advces
inspired by sincere sympathy but the great mari
time Powers not having thou BIT it advisable yet
act in concert with me. haze been obliged TO postpone
TO q moe suitable opportunity the offer of medallion,
the object of yhlch TO stop the euston of blood and
TO prevent the exhaustion of country, the future of
,0hlot cannot be looked upon ,O.th indifference.
| shall not now eoter into details respecting various
administrative the creation of an
army of reserve th remodeng of the feet institutions
for the benefit of the poor, great public works. encour
agement to agriculture to science and to art the main
tenace of the prosperity of colonies despite the sup
preston OF the emigration of the blacks the consoda
ton of our possessions in Africa by gain
ing the affection OF the Arab population and of protect
ing our settlers The report upon the condition of the
Empire will give you all these measures in detail.
Useful work is still in store for the conclusion of your
abor and when you return your respective provin
ces let it not be forgotten that if we have overcome
many difficulties. and accomplished many useful acts it
be attributed to the devoted support of the great
bodies Of the State and to the harmony which has pre-
vailed among nevertheless there remains still much
to be done to perfect our institutions, to disseminate
good ideas and to accust0m the country to count upon
Itself. TIL your fellow citizens that shall be always
ready to adept anything in the interests of the orty
but. that if they have heart to facilitate the work
hat has been d. to avoid conflicts which only
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