The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-01
FRANCE,
Opening of the French Legislature The
EmperOr's Speech.

:
EmperOr's Speech.
The following Is the text of the speech from
The throne delivered Jan uary 1S by the Emperor
apoleon at the opening Of the French Cham
3bers:--
Messrs. les Senator'S. Messrs. les Deputes:-
fTbe speech which | ADDRESS TO you every year
at the opening OF the session Is the sincere ex-
preston of the thoughts which guide my con.
duet. No explain frankly to the nation before
the great bodies of the State the progress of the
Government is the duty Of the responsible chief
Aot tree country. The task which we have
undertaken together is arduous. IL is not, in
deco, without difficulty that, on a soil shaken
by so many revolutions, a government is
founded sufficiently impressed with the
wants of the age to adopt all the
benefits of liberty and sufficiently strong TO
bear even its eXcesses. Toe two laws which
Lyou passed during the last session, and the
10bject of which was the development Of the
principle of free discussion, have produced two
opposite effects, which may be useful to point
out. On the one. hand, the press and public
meetings have created in certain quarter
. factious agitation. and have caused the reap
pearanCe OF i0eHs and passions which were
believed to be extinguished; but on the other
hand, the nation, remaining insensihle to the
most violent excitement, and relying upon my
6rmnees tor the maintenance of order, has not
felt its faith in the future shaken.
Remarkable coincidence! The more adven-
turous and subversive minds sought to disturb
public tranquility, so,muCh the mole profound
b. came the peace OF the country; commercial
transactions reassumed fruitful activity, the
public revenues increased considerably, the
public interests were reassured, and the greater
part OF the recent elections gave new support
TO my government. The Army law and the
subsidies granted by your patriotism have con-
Tibuted 10 strengthen the confidence of
the country, and in the just consciousness of its
pride 1t experienced real satisfaction the
moment it learned that 1t was in position to
confront every eventuality., The land asd sea
fcrces, strongly constituted, are upon peace
footing. The effective strength OF the active
army does not exceed that which existed under
former systems, but our armament rendered
perfect, our arsenals and our magazines flied,
oUr reserves we'll trained, the National Garde
Mobile in course of organization, our fleet re-
constructed, and our strongholds in good con-
dinon, give TO our power development which
was In Indispensable.
The constant object of my efforts is attained,
and the military resources Of France are hence
forward on level with Its destiny in the world.
desire 10 maintain peace. There is no weakness
in our saying so when we are ready to defend
the honor and independence of our country.
Our relations with foreign powers are most
friendly. The revolution which has broken out
beyond the PyIeuees has not altered our good
relations with SPAN, and the Conference to
stiAe threatening conflict in the East Is
great act of which we should appreciate the
Importance. This Conference approaches its
Termination, and all the .plenipotentiarios have
agreed upon the principles calculated to bring
about q reconciliation between Greece and
TUrkey. II, therefore, as firmly hope, nothing
shall arise to disturb general harmony, 1t will
be our fol tune to realize many projected i'm
proyements, and we shall endeavor to solve all
the practical questions raised by the agricultu.
raj Investigations.
Public works have been sufficiently end owed;
parochial roads are being constructed. Educa-
fiop OF all class continues to be successfully
developed, and, thanks to the periodical in
crease of the revenue, we shall soon be able to
devote alt our solicitude to the diminution OF
public burdens. The moment Is drawing nigh
j when for the third time since the establishment
OF The empire, the legislative body will be con-
stituted a'resh by general election, and each
time 1t will have attained the limit
OF its legal duration = thing hitherto
unknown. This regularity is due to the
harmony which has always existed between
u.s. and to the confidence which j feel
in the sincere exercise OF universal suffrage.
The popular masses are staunch in their faith
as in their affections, and II noble passions are
able to rouse them, sOphism and calumny scarce
Iuffie the surface. Sustained by your apprOba'
tion and your concurrence, am thoroughly
resolved to persevere in the course which have
laid down-that is 10 say, to adopt all real
progress, but also TO maintain. without discuss
sion, the essential bases OF the constitution
which the national vote has placed under
shelter from all attacks. "a good tree is kno Wn
by the fruit it bears,n says the Gospel.
Well, if we cast glance at the past, which Is
the Government that has given to France seven
teen years OF ever-increasing quiet and pros
perityg Certainly every government is liable TO
error, and fortune does not smIle upon all
enterprises, but that which constitutes my
strength Is the fact, that the nation does not
ignore, that for twenty years l have not had a
single thought, have not done single deed, OF
which the motive was other than the interest
and greatness of France. Nor is it igno-
rant OF the circumstance that was
the first 10 desire rigorous control
over the conduct OF affairs: that l. with this
object, increased the powers OF The deliberative
assemblies, persuaded that the real support of q
government is 10 be found in the independence
apd patriotism OF the great bodies OF the State.
This session will add fresh services to
those which you have already rem
dered to the country. .Soou the ma
NOn, called together in It's c0mhid, will eauctior
the policy which we have pursued. II will once
more proclaim by its votes that 1t does not de-
sire revolution, but wishes to rest the destiAie.
OF Frarce upoa the intimate alliance OF power
with liberty.
The Voice of tho Press on the speech.
The London Times of the 10th ulE. says:--
France does not desire revolution, the nation
is In harmony with the Emperor in dreadinI
such contingency, and hence IL is the Empe
ror has confidence that at another genera
election another legislative body will be choseI
ready to accept the policy he may recommend
TO their notice. We need scarcely add q wor,
20 show that Napoleon Ill has not found ou
abe secret OF free continuous govecnpent. II
told his hearers yesterday, With no less trutl
than egotism, that France relied upon hi
frmness for the maintenance OF order. TIL
Emperor Is, In Sact, the key stone, without whic
the whole fabric falls to pieces. Upon hi
personal qualities, and upon these alone, dC
bends the conservation of the im peTial system
And he is perfectly resolved that this conditio
Of affairs shall remain untouched. Minister
responsible to the Emperor and to the Empero
alone, and an Emperor responsible alone 80 tn
people, consti.ste an artocracy which IS plalnl
avn succession, still less for the union OF 20,
erDing ability with governing power.
The London Ieegr1ph OF the 18th uit. says;-
MS significant iaes ,hat the Emperor nevS