The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-10
Speech of the Emperor Ma.im,lian.

"A uePuIdClQu WalCeQ on the En-
peror, on the 10th OF January, to offer
sentiments of coincidence on the death
OF his father-in-law, the late King
of Belgium. The Emperor replied
as follows:
GENTLEMEN: I thank you for the
sympathy you have manifested in the
grief of the Empress and myself for
the trouble that has befallen us. In
such a misfortune there is much to
console us in the remembrance of the
great and noble examples that have
been left us as an heritage by the
late King of. Belgium.
He, like ourselves, in accepting the
throne that people offered, him,
found q nation to constitute and a
Government to found. Thanks to
the disinterested Intervention of
France, he was enabled to make
peace succeed to war, and devoted
himself without intermission to in
stitute valuable interior reforms. He
promised liberty to his people, and
during long period of thirty-fv
years he fulfilled his word It pro-
missed the country security and tran
guilty, and he gave them both to it,
consolidating also its independence.
He did more-he elevated it to dis
tinguished rank among the States of
Europe, and even made it one of the
first in commercial importance and
freedom of thought, leaving it's es-
cutcheon and noble flag without a
stain.
We shall endeavor to profit by this
great example, by which God has
shown us that His Providence never
forsakes just and honorable monarchs
in their noble enterprises. His
daughter, the Empress, has Just re-
turned from n toilsome Journey, into
distant lands. in q dangerous climate,
with no other safeguard than the love
OF the people; everywhere she has
met with a frank and cordial recep-
ton that has shown over again the
sympathy that exists between the
nation and ourselves-when the dis
contented were pleased to say that my
august consort would only meet
with indifference-when calumniators
dared pretend that she would forget
her duty and return to Europe. On
this occasion, I am happy to express
particularly my deep gratitude to
heroic Vera Cruz and beautiful Yuca-
tan, who have received the Empress
with an affection that will ever remain
engraved on my heart.
AS to myself, gentlemen, you have
been witnesses of my labors. Leav-
n tho >:o1> i
to anarchy, 1 have consecrated my
time to the direction of the public
administration, to the development of
the elements of the wealth and pros
perity of the country, and to the
solution of the great questions which
interest it the most.
In this arduous task I have been
obliged to encounter the impatience
of some and the backwardness of
others; for wounds opened by fifty
years of civil war are not healed in
day; but strong in faith, I go straight
to my end with indefatigable perse-
verance. My strength may fail; my
will, never.
My object is not to change the
democratic customs of the nation,
because am convinced that they ele-
vate the mind of the citizen in inspir-
ing him with the consciousness of his
dignity and value I have respected
the liberty of the press when it has
not degenerated into license, at the
same time that [ have made the
authority of the land respected He
must be blind indeed that does not
see that a strong authority is the last
anchor of safety for our country You
have seen my calmness in the midst
of calumnies that have been pointed
against us by foreigners. Forward,
gentlemen; the calumnies will pass,
but our works Will remain. Strong
in the support of my conscience and
the purity Of my intentions, I con-
template the future with tranquility.
Mexico has put her honor in my
hands. Let her know that her honor
is secure.
EFFECT OF THE SPEECH.
The official journal has the follow
ing remarks on the speech:
"It is impossible to describe the
effect produced upon all pre-
sent by the grave and significant
words of the Emperor. When we
remember the great example that the
august father of our sovereign gave
during his life, to the noble and
generous projects that their Majesties
cherish for the happiness of Mexico,
the Imperial discourse cOuldnO fail to