The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-07
Victor E,manueI,s speech.

The following is the complete text of the
speeci. delivered by King Victor Emmanuel at
the opening of tie Italian Parliament:
SIGNoRI SENAToRI, SIGNoRI DEpurATI;-
Our country Is hencetorth free from all for
elsn domination. 1t is with profound Joy
that 1 declare this to the representatives of
twenty-five millions of Italians. The nation
had faith in me and in it. This great event
by crowning our common efforts gives fresh
impulse 10 the works OF civilization, and rem
ders More stable the political equilibrium of
Europe. by her prompitpde in military organ
Katlon, and by the rapid union of her people,
Italy has acquired the credit which was nee
essary to attain independence; by herself and
with the aid OF ettcacious alliances Italy found
encouragement and support in this laborious
work in the sympathy OF civilized governments
and peoples, and has been further sustained
and strengthened by the courageous perseyer-
anee oil the Venetian provinces in the common
enterprise OF national emancipation. The
treaty OF peace with the emphe of Austria,
which win be laid before you, will be followed
ny negotiations, and will facilitate exchanse OF
prisoners between the two States.
The French government, faithful 10 the OBJ
hgatiens contracted by the September conven-
ton, has withdrawn its troops from Rome
On its side, the Italian government, observant
OF its engagements, has respected and will re-
spect the Pontifical territory. Our good un-
derstandng with the French Emperor, to
whom We are bound by friendship and grati-
tude, the moderation OF the Romans, the wis
dom OF the Pontifcate, and the religious SEN
timent and right feeling OF the Italian people,
will aid Us to distinguish and conciliate the
Catholic interests and national aspirations
which are interviewer and contending with
each other at Rome. Attached to the religion
OF our ancestors, which Is also that Of the
great ma oritY OF Italians, I nevertheless re-
spect the principle Of liberty which breathes
through our Institutions, aud which broadly
and sincerely aprlied, viii remove the causes
OF the old differences between Church and
state This disposition on our part, by reas-
surfing Catholic consciences, will accomplish,
hope, the wishes which we express, that the
Sovereign Pontif may remain independent at
Rome. E
Italy is secure now that-besides the valor
of her sons, which, through all the changes of
fortune, has never belied itself, either by land
| or sea, nor in the ranks of the army OF the
| yoluntcers-she possesses as the ramparts OF
her independence the very buwarks which
served to oppress her. Italy can, therefore,
and now ought to turn her efforts TO ncreas-
| ing her prosperity As Italians have shown ad-
mirabe concord in the affirmation OF their
INDEPENDENCE. so now let all my people devote
themselves with intelligence, ardor and in
Jomitable eonstaucy to the development of
the economic resources Of the peninsula
several bills will be laid before you with this
object. in the midst of the labors of peace,
and favored by a secure future, we shall not
neglect, olowing the lessons OF experience, 10
perfect our military organization, In order
that with the least possible expense Italy may
not be destitute OF the forces necessary to
maintain her In the place which belongs to
her among great nations. The measures re-
Gently taken relative to the administration OF
the Kingdom, aud those which will be propos-
ed to you, above all, respecting the collection
| of the taxes and the accountability of the
| State, will amelorate the management OF
public affairs. My government has provided