The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-23

Napoleon's Address to the French Chambers

/ -
The French Senate and Corps Legislatf assem-
bled on Tuesday last, and were addressed by the
Emperor. His speech relates to italian and Ger
man affairs, and questions of French reform. The
document is quite short making less than ffteer
hundred words. The London Times, in its com
ments, warmly praises Napoleon, and regards the
speech as the most liberal, peaceful and sensible o
the Second Empire.
The following report OF the address was received
| by the Atlantic cable:
TEE EMPERoR's SPEECH
| The necessity Of resumlng the discussion OF i'm
portant laws has obliged me to call you together
earlier than usual. Recent events have further
caused me to experience the wish of availing ny
self of your sagacity and assistance. Since you
separated vague disquetudes have arisen to affect
the public mind of Europe, and restrict the move
| ments Of industry and commercial transaction in
all quarters. notwithstanding the declarations OF
pacific attitude the belief has been spread that
modification in the internal system of Germany
must become means OF conflict.
This uncertainty could not endure longer. 1t
is necessary to accept frankly the changes which
have taken place on the other side of the Rhine,
and to proclaim that 80 long as our interests and
our dignity shall not be threatened, we will not in
terfere in the transformation effected by the wish
Of the population. The disquiet which has been
displayed is difficult Of explanation, at period In
which France has offered to the world the most
imposing spectacle Of conciliation and peace.
The Universal Exhibition, where nearly all the
soyereigns of Europe have attended, and where
the representatives Of the laboring classes of all
countries have met, has drawn close the ties OF
fraternity between nations. 1t has disappeared,
but its traces will leave deep impression upon our
age for after having majestically risen. the Ex-
hibition has not only shone itself momentary
briliancy but it has destroyed host Of prejud1ces
and terrors-the shackles Of labor and intelligence,
and the barriers between the different peoples as
well as the different classes of international hatred.
These are what the Exhibition has cast behind it,
but these incontestible pledges Of concord do not
allow us to dispense with improving the military
institutions of France. 1t is the mperious duty OF
every Government to follow progress independent
ly OF circumstances in all the elements which con-
stitute the strength Of country, and it is for us
necessity to bring to perfection the military organ
izstion, as our weapons are tie army and navy.
The project OF law presented to the Legislative
body divided equally between the citizens the
charges of recruitment. That system has appear
ed 30 absolute, that measures have been adopted
to diminish its bearing. Since then, l have
thought it advisable to submit the important ques-
ton to your further consideration. In fact, this
difficult problem cannot be too carefully investiga-
ted, as it touches great and contradictory inter-
ests.
My Government will propose as a. new arrange.
ment, only a simple modification Of the laws OF
1882, but which achieves the object have always
had in view-the reduction Of the e,ctual strength
OF the army during peace, and it's increase during
war; You will examine this, as also the organiza-
ton of the Garde Mobier, under the impression
of that patriotic dea that the stronger we are the
more certain will be the assurance OF peace-peace,
the efforts of us all to preserve which seemed tor
amoment in danger Of evolutionaryagt citation which
prepared in broad daylight, threatened the Papal
States. The Convention of September. not having
been carried out, have been compelled to send
again our troops to Rome to protect the Power OF
the Holy See from Republican invaders. Our con-
duct could not partake of anything hostile to the
independence of Italy; and that nation, for mo-
ment surprised has not been long in understand
ing the dangers these revolutionary manifestations
caused to monarchical principles and European
order. Calm is now almost entirely re-establshed
in the States Of the Pope, and we may calculate
the proximate time when our troops may be re-
| called.
For US, tho Convention Of 1915 exists so long as
| it is not replaced. The relations Of Italy to the
| Holy See interests the whole of Europe. We have
proposed to the Powers to settle these relations at
Conference and thus prevent new complications
| Attention has been turned to the Eastern ques.
ton, from which the conciiatory spirit of the Pow
| that existed between them as regards bringing
about the pacifcation of Crete I am happy to
announce that they have agreed ON two principal
points, the maintenance OF the integrity OF the
Ottoman Empire and the ameioratlon or the con-
dition of the Christians.
Since the last session. universal suffrage has
been called upon to elect one-thrd OF the mem.
bers OF the "Couseils Generaux" THESE elections,
carried out with calmness and independence, have
everywhere demonstrated the good feeling OF the
population. The journey have made with the
Empress to the East and North of France, has
afforded the opportunity for manifestations OF SYM
pathy which have touched me profoundly. have
been able to ascertain that nothing has been able
Il H. k1,ao M ha va
me, and the attachment they entertain towards
my dynasty. For my part, labor incessantly TO
anticipate their wishes. !!
The completion of connecting roads was requir-
ed by these agricultural classes, Of whom you are
the enlightened representative It would bs al
act of Justice should almost say OF gratitude, to
satisfy this want, and an inquiry upon large
scale s preparing its solution. Il will be easy for
you, in concert with my Government, to assure
1 the success of this great measure. The situation
is undoubtedly not free from embarrassments. IT.
dustrial and commercial activity has slackened;
uneaslness is general in Europe, and is in great
| part due to apprehensons which the good under
standing prevailing between the iowers will cause
| to disappear. The harvest 10 not good; dearness
is inevitable, and free trade can slone secure sup
plies aud lower prices. But if these causes pre-
vent the revenues completely balancing the esli-
mates OF the budget, the provisions Of the laws OF
| finance should not be modified, and we may fore
see the period when redueti9n 0f taxation may
| be taken into c0fSlderatl0n. Ine session VIII Do
! devoted to- the examination Of laws, of which /
| took the initiative part in the month Of January
| last. The time that has elapsed has not altered
NV convictions respecting the utility Of these re-
forms. Doubtless the introduction Of new liher-
ties exposed the public mind to excitement and
dangerous impulses, but to render them powerless
| count at the same time upon the common sense OF
tho country in the progress of public morality, in
a. ------'. = "--~rad in tha an
| irmnesS Ill suppression wnen rt1-.---, -
ergy and authority OF the ruling power.
| Let us then follow up the work which we have
undertaken together. For fifteen years we have
shared the same idea to uphold above controver-
sizes and hostile passions our fundamental laws
which the popular voice has sanctioned, but at the
same time to develop liberal institutions without
weakening the principle of authority. Let us not
cease to spread around the comforts Of life by the
prompt completion of our means OF oflnstruction, to
render access to justice less expensive by simpli-
| flying legal proceedings and to sdopt every mea-
that will render prosperous the so:ial condi-
tion Of the great masses. Ii, with me, you become
convinced that this path is that OF real progress
and civilization, let US advance i'll that agreement
OF views and sentiments which is precious guar
antry OF public welfare. You will, trust, vote
laws which will be submitted oyou that will con-
tribute to the greatness, wealth and happiness o1
the country. For my own part, you may rest as
sured I will uphold firmly the power confer
red on me, for no obstacle nor unjust opposition
will shake either my courage or my faith iu the
| future.