Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-11-26
THE FRENCH EMPEkoR's SPEECH.

We print in another part Of to-day's Intelligen-
Ger the speech delivered by the Emperor of the
French on the 5th instant, on the occasion Of the
opening of the annual assembly of the Legislative
bodies Of the Empire.
Whatever falls, in such public discourses, from
the lips of the extraordinary man who now con-
trolls the destinies of France is sure to command
audience throughout the civilized world, and espe-
cially at the present time, when questions mo-
mentous involving the peace of Europe, are await
ing umpirage, and when, as the Emperor truly
says, the military power of France is making itself
felt at the extremties of the earth-at Pekin and
in Mexico"
And, if remarkable in its subject-matters, the
present manifesto of the Emperor is equally remark
able for its form. Discarding the dry and formal
statements to which the Sovereigns of Europe, rs
well those representing constitutional as more un-
limited monarchics, commonly restrict their legs-
lative addresses, the ruler of the French, in his
present discourse, descends from the throne to
mount the tribune of the orator. In words of min
gled persuasion and warning, he argues the cases
now pending before the Governments Of Europe,
as if he were perfectly aware that their final arbi
trament must depend on the public opinion of the
Nations, without concurring in which even the
most powerful of monarchs are doomed ultimately
to bear the sword in vain. Making his appeal,
therefore, in avowed conformity to the g ideas Of
the age and the wishes of the greatest number"
and addressing himself to "the conscience and
the reason of statesmen in all countries" Of Eu-
Al lo1J AZ foI L.
as significant in its terms it is a graphic por
trature of the present political situation resulting
from the apprehensons and the real antagonisms
Of the Powers which enter into the political equi-
librum Of the Continent
Have not the prejudices and which divide us
already lasted long enough Is the Jealous rivalry Of the
great Powers ucessany TO obstruc the progress of
zation Shall be constantly casting defiance at each
other by exaggerated srmamen Are most precious
resources 10 be indefinitely exhausted n vain osentaton
Of our strength Shall eternaly preserve position
which il neither peace with it's security nor war with its
chances Of success y
It would be impossible, we think more apty
and tersely to describe the situation superinduoed
in Europe by the mutual suspicious, and jeal
ousies, and rivalries which prevail among the
great Powers--leadiug each to 6od, in ga vain
ostentation Of strength" the best assurance Of its
immunity from aggression, and thus creating
Tuinous and precarious state of affairs, which the
Emperor sums up as being neither "peace with its
security nor war with its chances of success"
1t will be seen that the Emperor summons
Council Of European Sovereigns to pronounce their
award upon the Polish question, and upon all other
questions affecting the relations of the Governments
of EuroTe in consequence of political changes that
have ensued since the formation of the treaties of
1915 AS we understand the Emperor, he pro-
poses to re-adjust the "b.lance of power" in Eu.
rope according to ideas which shall respect " ma
tional aspirations on larger scale than would be
necessary to meet the case Of Poland, and which,
by harmonizing the jarring elements of political
discord shall concate the hopes and wishes Of the
people with the rights Of sovereigns. II remains
to be seen whether these sovereigns will meet the
Emperor Of the French in the conference he in
vites and whethes his sanguine forecast of its bone
fetal agency in sppeasing the disquietudes Of Eu-
rope shall be realized.
Meetings for the encours cement Of volunteering are
b,ldinc other Me-