New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-02-22
Especial to the Crescent
OUR PARIS CORRESPONDING

PARIS, Feb u, 1866
OPENING OF THE FRENCH CHAMBERs-NAPoLEoN's
SPEECH.
You will no doubt by this time have read
the speech OF the Emperor on opening the
French chambers on the 22d inst. I need not
touch the speech itself, but will tell you of the
impression it has made the public in the capital
The Empress wore priceless silk dress, with a
lace shawl. His Imperial Hghness, the Prince
Imperial, for the first time, took his place by the
side of his father. He wore the grand Gordon of
the Legion of Honor; His Highness did not appear
to enjoy himself much. The enthusiasm of the
ajuctants though, for the most part composed of
public functonaries, was not very great, whilst
many deputies openly manifested their disappoint-
ment.
After the ceremony their Imperial Majestes drove
out in a phaton on the whole length of the Boue-
wards. As usual the crowd surrounded the In
perial carriage, but cannot say that there was
much enthusiasm amongst the by.standers. In the
evening they went to the opera, where they met
with more cordial reception. It is said that
more than five hundred orders had been distributed
amongst the employees of the government!
The impression produced by the imperial speech
is decided unfavorable There was a rise at the
fact is the more important as it is the first time
since 1851 that the imperial speech has been fol
lowed by a rise in the public funds. Another Incl
dent which merits attention is that an hour after
the delivery of the imperial speech, I met friend
well known for his great aversion to the present
government, rubbing his hands with delight. On
my asking him the reason, he answered that he
was pleased beyond measure with the speech that
far a6 all ba
the means of making more than half the country
disconnected.
Let us, however, examine the imperial speech
The two most important points are evidently the
passage relating to the Mexican question, and that
in which alluson is made to public liberty.
MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES.
The speech affrms that the Mexican empire,
"tounded by The aoW Of the people," is settling
down quietly, and the French expedition will
shortly come to an end. 81 will come to some ar
rangement with the Emperor of Mexico, to fix a
time for the withdrawal of our troops" says Napo-
leon LII. 1t is true that Baron Vaillard has been
sent on a mission to Mexico, but let it be noted
that this is the third time within twelfth
month that the emperor has told us that
the French troops are on the eve of departure
from Mexico. However, one may judge of the
confidence these words merit in reading the.follow-
ing paragraph in which allusion is made to the
friendship which exists in America for Napoleon
III, and of the friendship of the Emperor of the
French for the American people. If we were TO
believe the imperial speech we should fancy that
the best understanding exists between the two
countries; but none but the peasantry in France,
who seldom, if ever, read a newspaper, will be-
lieye such nonsense. 1t is well known what were
the sentiments of the Emperor for the prosperity
of the American Union at the time of the struggle
between the North and the South. No one will
forget the letter he addressed to Gen. Forey, re-
cognlzing the Confederates as belligerents the
provoking language of the French official journal
during the whole course of the American war
and when victory was still uncertain, will leave no
doubt IN the mind of Brother Jonathan as to the
amicable feelings of the Emperor for the citizens
of the Union. A man who has built up his Empire
on the ruins of a republic, cannot be said 10 be
friendly to commonwealth. However, if a doubt
were still remaining, the answers of NJ Drouyn de
FHuys to Mr. Bigelow, and the dispatches of Mr.