The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-04-08
the advantage of Baron Hausemann's

the advantage of Baron Hausemann's
barracks. [Noise.I
NJ Rouher-Therefore, gentlemen, to
finish the first point, declare the prin-
ciple of the sovereignty of the people
to be the only basis on which to found
Government. (Hear.) 1 say, then,
that the Government intends to respect
the autonomy, the sovereignty of other
States, that it has no ambition for apos-
tolic mission NJ Thiers has told you
that we have misunderstood the doc
trines of the Liberal school, which has
always wished the freedom of Italy,
not its unity. And yet he himself said
in 1s47, "Oh, Italy, listen to my feeble
voice, range yourself entirely under
the flag of Charles AlbertIr And ad-
are apusillanimous Minister II you per-
init to be broken
NJ. Thiers-No, no.
NJ, Rouher then went on to refute NJ /.
Thiers' arguments respecting the Ital-
ian war, and after glancing at the Pa
pal question, vindicated the course
France had pursued in the Danish and
Polish questions He then came to the
Austro-Prussian war last year. NJ.
Thiers (he said) asks what we are 60
ing to do before the Sd of May. We had
constantly told Italy that, If she allied
herself with Prussia, she must not
count on France, and that we should
remain neutral. NJ. Theirs has also
said that the danger is greater than be-
fore. We, however, remained neutral,
with the approval of the Legislative
body. The idea that the Confederation,
with its 70, ,0O0, 600 of Inhabitants, and
500, 900 or 1s00O, 600 of troops, was only a
defensive organization, is an illusion.
If some dispute had arisen between
France and Bavaria, and France
hid insisted on obtaining satisfac-
ton, would not the whole of
the Confederation have been called
on to take part in the conflict3 Bava-
ria would have appealed to the Confed-
erationi Prussia and Austria would
have had the three great Powers united
against you to defend themselves or to
attack, and presenting terrible battle
front. Movement: hear, hear.l Was
it not an aggressive war that NJ. Thiers
wanted TO enter on in $40, and did he
not lind all the populations on the
banks of the Rhine ready to rise, and
all the Powers displaying aggressive
intentions against France Hear,
hear. BY her energy in 1854 France
was able to force the Germanic Confed-
Grafton not to rise; in 1859, after Solfer-
1no, she could again prevent its acting,
although quite prepared. But the fact
is not the less certain that their was in
that organization a danger for the inde-
pendence and liberty of France. at
present we are in the face of Austria
independent and Prussia masking her
ambition certainly, but also masking
its limits lApprobation.l I examine
the counsels given US, and the policy
We have followed. No one recommends
war or annexation; every one vtgi-
liant and attentive policy. / am en-
tirely of that opinion. But how is il to
be eXercised2 Not by exclusive alIi-
ance, for such course always leads to
hostile feeling. France will remain on
good terms with all nations, and will
endeavor, in succession, to remove all
the difficulties that exist. The posi-
tions will change by degrees, and an
amicable arrangement will take place
in every case, by means of diplomatic
concessions lHearI HearIl Such Is
the thought which animates us-found-
ed on the true Interest of the country.
1t is the realization of the object marked
for mankind and for progress And
when our task shall have been accom-
plished, we shall say to our descend
ants, do as We did-allow violent ag-
gression and rash reproaches to pass
away, and posterity will judge us.
loud and continued applause.l
The AUeliT' National speaking of this
scene in the Corps Legislatif, says:
The speech of NJ. Rouher has aroused
in us the past in all its intensity. He
has pushed us sixteen years back. He
has excited passions painfully sup
pressed but ever lburning-an infiam-
mable substance which prudent Min
lister would be careful not to put a
spark to. NJ. Rouher has played with
fire and produced an explosion, the
echoes of which are still heard from
one end of France to the other. In an
swer to the Pays, which by way of re-
proach to the Liberal deputies, said
honest people keep the oath they have
taken, the AOe79iT says: 'Such is the
opinion of the Pays; it is also ours; but
the Pays will not be thanked in all
quarters for bringing to mind this
truth on the occasion of the I'd of De-