Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-28

speech:
.hSsicws les Ssaoteurs, Messic,rs les Dcpu.
tcs! The Legislative Corps Is about 10 com
mCnce Its last session. To have anticipated
tho term fixed by the lCoustit uton would have
been, in my eyes, an act Of ingratitude towards
the Chamber, OF distrust towards the country.
The time Is past when II was considered neces.
sary to seize the occasion Of some happy Incl
dent to secure The BufIrages of limited num-
Der Of electors. Now, every ono sees that
there Is no longer, amongst the masses, the
hckleness Of other days, and mems convictions
seems TO agitate the political atmosbherc,
"Slnce We find ourselves assembled for the
last time, II VIII not be In vain 10 look back
upon what VIC have done together during tho
last Eve years, for Il Is only BY embracing
period of some duration that we can appreciate
the consistent spirit which has marked the d.
rection OF affairs. People are usually pleased
70 seek In thea of sovefeigns concealed mo-
tiyes and mysterious combinations. Ny policy,
however, has been very slmple--to increase tho
prosperity OF France, and It's moral asCendaney,
without abusing as without enfoebling the
power which has been committed 10 my hands.
Abroad, to favor within the limits Of right
and treaties the legitimate aspirations of the
peoples towards a better future; TO deyelopo
our commercial relations with tho countries TO
which we are drawn. by the greatest communl-
Y OF interostsi to remove from diplomatic
ltlgations questions long disputed In order to
lako away all preteXts for misunderstanding
Finally, to prosecute boldly tho rcparation OF
every insult TO our flag, Of every injury to our
fellow countrymen.
"See how, according 20 these circumstances.
have been enabled TO apply these principles.
ln the East the national desire OF the DAN
ubian provinces to form only one people could
not lind us lnsenslble, aud our concurrence has
contributed to cement their union. We have
supported whatever was well founded in tho
complaints Of Servia, Montenegro, and of the
Christians OF Syria, without disregarding the
rights OF the Ottoman Porte. Our arms have
defended the Independence OF Italy without
compromising with royolutlOn-without impair
Ing, beyond the field of battlo, our good rela-
lions with our adversaries of a day-without
abandoning the Holy Father, whom our honor
tain. -.
eve have suppressed the causes of dlsnute
which might have arisen with Spain, either
from the non-settloment Of boundaries, or from
tho old debt Of 1898 and with Switzerland,
from the difference respecting thu Valley Of
Dleppcs. Treaties Of Commerce have been, or
are on the eve Of being, concluded with Eng
land, Belgium, Prussia, Italy and Switzerland.
Finally, expeditions In China, in Cochin China
and in Mexico, prove that, however distant the
countries may be, an attack on the honor of
France cannot be made with impunity.
such events have not occurred without &C.
Casoning some complications. The path of
duty always leads through dangers. Neyerthe-
less, France has become enlarged by two pro-
Yincosi the barriers which separated us from
our neighbors have been lowered a vast terri
tory is opened to our activity In the extreme
East and, what Is much better than conauests,
VIC have acquired titles to the sympathy of the
people without losing the confidence and the
esteem Of Governments.
During the years which have passed II has
been my lot TO meet most of the soyereigns, In |
person, and nom these interviews have arisen
amicable relations, which are so many pledges |
for the peace of Europe. This peace will not
DO disturbed by the events which have taken
place in Greece. 90.
" This rapid survey of the past answers for
the future, and, despite the pressure of unpro- |
pitious events and opposite opinions, you will |
recognize, hope, that have always followed
with firmness the same line of conduct.
SIN that which relates more particularly 70
home affairs, have purposcd, on the one hand
by a complete amnesty, TO efface, 30 far ~ II ,
was In my power, the recollectlons of our civil /
dlscordsi on the other, to increase the import
anee Of the great bodies Of the State, have
called you to q more direct part in tho conduct
Of affairs; / have surrounded your deliberations
with all the guarantees which liberty Of discus |
sion can demandi have renowned prerog- |!
alive which was until then deemed indispensa- |
bic, in order to permit the legislative CORDS to-
control the public expenditures In a more alb |
solute manner, aud TO give more solidty to the |
bAses upon which public credit reposes.
I'm order to retrieve our finances, our army |
and navy have been reduced To more limited |
The floating debt has been re- |
dueed, and by tho success Of the conversion of
the Rentes great step has been made towards
the uni6cation Of debt. Tho indirect revenue
augments unceaslAgly, through the simple fact
OF the Increase Of the general prosperity and
the situation Of the Empire would be flourish
Ing If the American war had not come TO dry
up one Of the most fruitful sources of our in
dustry.
THE forced stagnatlon of labor has engen-
dered In many places a distress deserving all
our solicitude, and credit will be asked OF you
for succorlng those who support with resigna-
ton the effects Of misfortune which II does
not depend upon US 10 arrest. Nevertheless,
have attempted 10 convey beyond the Atlantic
inspired by sincere sympathy; but,
the great Maritime Powers not having believed |
they could yet Join me, have been obliged 10 |
defer to more fitting period tue offer OF modi- |
alton, the object OF which was TO stop the etfu- !
sion Of blood, and TO prevent the exhaustion |
Of a country the future Of which cannot DO a |
matter Of indifference.
81 Willnot enter with you into the details of !
several administrative amelloratlons, such as
the creation OF the reserve of tho army; the re- |
construction of the fleet; institutions favorable |
10 the poorer classesi great public works; en-
TO agriculture, 10 the sciences, and |
TO the arts; the maintenance Of the prosperity |
Of our colonies, in spite Of the suppression Of
negro immlgrationi the strengthening of our
African possessions by our care in gaining
more aud moro the affections Of the Arabian .
people, and In protecting our colonists. The
ministerial survey Of the situation Of tho EN-
pire will unfold to you each of these measures,
"You arc about to distinguish by useful la
bors your closing session. and when you return
10 your respective departments do not allow
yourselves to forget that If we have surmount-
I'd many obstacles, accomplished many useful
things, II is due TO the devoted concurrence of
the great Bodies of the State, and TO the har-
mony which has reigned between US, that,
nevertheless, much remains 10 be done TO por-
feet our institutions, to disseminate true ideas,
and to accustom the countryto rely upon itself.
"Tsll your fellow cltiEons that I shall ever
be ready TO accept all that Is for the interest of
the greatest number. II they have at heart to
facilitate tho work which has been commenced,
10 avoid tho conflicts which cause uneaslness,
10 fortlfy the Constitution, which Ia their work,
lot them Send TO tho new Chamber men who,
ike yourselves, accept the actual regime with.
out reservation, who prefer 10 barren contests
serious DELEGATIONS men who, animated by
The spirit Of the age aud by genuine patriotism,
snllghten In their independence the course of |