, 1870-08-04
TIE Legislative Address to the
French Emper9xs

The French Senate, under the influence
Of the news OF the invtsion OF the Territory Of
France by the Prussians, went "spontAue-
ouslyr to s. Cloud to wait on the Emperor.
NJ houher, ahe President, delivered tho fol-
lowing speech: .
usiaE: Tbe Senate thAnka your Majesty
for permitting it TO lay ut tho foot ot tho
throne the expression Of the pat1totlc senh-
ments WITH which it has received the commu-
nications made to i in yesterdays sitting. a
prestige and security Of France had bean mys-
tes;ouA1y favored by the King Of Prussis- t
Is tn chat. On our protest, Prince Leopold
withdrew hts acceptance Span, Which reeos-
nizes and Returns those friendly feelings
which we entertain for her, gave up csndi-
dature wh,ch was offensive to us
sit il tue that tie immediate Danger WAS got
lid Of; Int did not our legitimate ground Of
complaint aubstst in its entirety? Wns it not
evident that foreign Power, for the increase
Of ia own influence and dominion, and to The
dettime1t Of our honor md interests, had de-
ternliued to trouble once u1ore tho equilibrium
Of Europe? Had We not . right to demand
guarantees from that Power aSslnst the possi-
BE recurrence OF similar attempt? These
guarantees were refused, and the dignity Of
France WIS alighted. Your Majesty draws the
swortl; the country il with you, quive1iug with
indignation aud laughtiness.
"T1 . e1trayAgauees Of an ambition cut7>-
| e1ci!ed by one days good fortune Were sure,
{ tocuer ar later, to burnt out YouT Mateatv,
ros yielding to hasty inpatienee, animated
real strength, has known how to wait; but
during tha last four gears you hare carried the
| a1mamepts Of our eoldiers 10 the very highest
perfection and haze raised to It's utmost
strength the organization our military forcea,
ready, and 81 her enthuriasn proves
not to" tolerate an1 rash enterprise
Let our august Sovereign, the Empress
power tho great bodies Of the s.a:o vii sur
round her With their respectful attention AMI
absolute deyotedpess. The nation ia awase o
the elevated sentiments Of her mind and tn
6rmpess Of her soul, and has full faith ia he
prudence and energy. Let the Emperor re
sune, with iust pEide and noble confidence
the &C mmand # his inc1e lsed Iegiona OF Ma
| EentA aid SolfeTino, and let him lead to til
Battlefield the ellie Of this great nation.
'*lf the hour Of peril has arrived, that Q
victory ID also near. Soon tho country in il
gratitude will decree itu children the honots q
tIiumphi 8oon, when Germany il freed fro-
the domination which oppresses her, and pc,c
II restored to Europe b the glory OF our aruat
your Majesty, who. Two months slnce, fece:ye
for yourself and your dynasty \ uew forc
from the nasiousl will, will again devo.e you1
forms, the realizasion Of which-FkAnc
knows and the genius Of tbs Emperor guaran
tees The fsct-aill experience no other de1a
than the time which you will employ in gaiuins
the victory.
The Emperor replied as follows:
"MEssIECRs LEE SES4ILUEs: was de
lighted to Learn With what lively enthusiast
your assembly received the declaration wbic
J the Minister Of Foreign Affairs wss charged (
, | mako to it. In ali the circumstances concerr
t ing the interests and honor OF France. ar
> sure to find in the Senate m energetic sui
= port We are entering upon serious struf
> Gle. The country requires the co-operation
. all its children, and l am glad that the fir
D patriotic uy should hare been raise4l by rot
: Chanhes, for it will be re-echoed by the sho
: nation."
: These words we're received with loud crie
!, ''yiye lEmpeEeur.." "yiye l1mpeEatricel
: "Yive ie Prince 1mperial!" and after eou
s moments conversation the Senators took the
= | fEnfa