The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-23
BELGIUM.

Speech Of King Leopold to the Parliament
The european Crisis and National Duty.
The following is the complete text Of tho speech
OF King Leopold II. on tho opening OF the Beigian
Parliament at Brussels, on Monday, August 81
At the moment when events abroad excite In our
hearts patriotic feelings l was anxious to see the
national representatives united around me. l III
dulge In the hope That the sc0urge OF war Will not
stain our soil with blood, and that Belgium inof-
fenslve and wel-nclined towards all, win not wit
ness the INFRINGEMENT OF neutrality imposed on
her and guaranteed by each OF the five great Powers
Of Europe. The Emperor OF the French has written
fornity with his international obligarlonsts to re-
spect the neutrality OF Belgium. HIS imperial
Majesty at the same time expresses his desire 10 be
confirmed in the opinion he enertainS that my
Kingdom Will cause Its neutrality 10 be respected by
declare in my answer that his Majesty was not mis-.
taken as 10 our intentions.
The King OF PrusSa'S government has also has
tened to give me written assurance that Belgian
neutrality shall be respected by 1t SO long as the
other begerent parties shall not have violated the
Among the friendly testimonies which I have re-
ceived from foreign Powers. am happy TO cite with
gratitude In which the whole country will share,
the soicitpde OF the Queen OF Great Bntans govern
ment for the interests OF Belgian Nationality, and
the generous supports which those sentiments have
found In the Parliament and public opinion Of Eng
land.
Belgium on her side, in the position in which In
ternatIonal law has placed her. VIII not forget what
she owes to other States her duties towards her,
sell. She Will know now. during the war, to main
tain In her CONSCIENTIOUS neutrality the honest and
sincere character which she has always endea-
vored to give to her relations In times OF peace.
In conformity with the desire OF the beger-
ents themselves she will hold herself ready
to defend herself with all the OF her patriotism
and all the resources that nation derives from the
energies Of its will. My government has already
taken on its own responsibility the measures Mhicn
circumstances demand. and 70 which the two Cham
bers Will not refuse their appreciation. In the midst
OF the anxleties which SO naturally occupy your
minds the government will only submit TO you
during your extraordinary session some bills OF an
urgent character, the adoption OF which cannot be
delayed till 0ther times. Belgium, gentlemen, has
already gone through more than one perlous trial.
None has been OF the gravity OF that through which
she Is now passing. BY her prudence, upright senr-
ments and firm patriotism she will be able to show
that she is worthy Of herself OF the esteem which
the other nations accord to her, and of the pros
perity which her tree institutions have procured
her.
The Belgian nation has profound consciousness
of Its right II knows the value OF the wealth which
during the last lOrty years 1t has successfully
CURED and SO honorably employed. 1t Ii not ready
forget that what 1t has now preserve Is
fare, liberty, honor and even the existence VI the
Belgian hearts he united In the accomplishment
OF such duties people and King will never have but
one soul ana one cry
Vfue la BeLOfQue a1ldependGnte!
God watches over her and protects her rights
All the phrases Of the royal speech were warmly
applauded and che enthusiasm rose to Its height at
the passage relative to England Prolonged cries OF
"Vipe pAn9leterre" then resounded ON all sides. The
KING and Queen were most warmly greeted both on
their arrival and departure.