, 1870-08-04
THE WAR IN EUROPE.
speech Of King WiIlinus, In Opening
tho North German Parliament
E1is Reply TO tho R6fliu Address,


The North German PAEitnmeu&-
Els Reply to She Borlfu Address.
The following il the full text Of tho speech |
of the Ring, il opening the North German
Parliament. July -:
Hosoret Gentlemen a fhe Parliament of Tie North
Gernan Cor1fsaerothoa+
When, at you1 LAST meeting, bsda you wei
come from this place La the name OF tho allied
governments, it Has with jos and gratitude
that Was able to bear witness to the fact
that. By the help Of God, succesahAd rewarded
my sincere efforts to meet the wishes Of the
people md the requirements Of civilization By
avoiding any disturbances Of tha pe4ce Of
Europe. II, notwithstanding this assurance,
the menace and inminence Of war have
now laid upon the Confederate Govern
eeihet maha for ~ an D e1,rrosd;n.sy ssskisn, yon
Is we'll as oursalyes will be animated with the
CONVICTION that the North German Coufedera-
ton has 1Abored to improve tho national
forces, not to impen], but to Afford grester
protection to universal peace; and that when
Independence, We only obey tie mandates OF
honor and duty. Tho candidacy OF = German
Prince for the Spanish throne, both with tho
bringing forward and the withdrawal Of which
the Confederate Governments we're equally
unconoetned, snd which only interested the
government Of friendly country appeared to
baae upon its SUCCESS the hope Of acquiring
| for sorely- tried people pledge for regular
and pescefnl government, Afforded the Empe-
put forward in . manner long since unknown
IN the anns1s Of diplomatic intercourse, and
| adhered to after tho removal Of tho very pre-
te1t itself, with the disregard for tbs peoples
right to the blessings or peaco OF
which he histosy ny o. as former r.,:1asr ru.e.
examples. II Germany In former centuries
bore II silence such violations Of her rights
| and Of her donors, it was only because in her
then divided state she knew not her own
strength. To-day. whom the links o. intel
lectual and rightful community which began
to be knit together at the tims Of the wars OF
liberation, Join slowly the different German
rkct 8; to.dAy, that Germany argument leayea
rolonger All ot eniug to the onemy. The Ger
man nation contains within itself the will aud
The power to repel the renewed asgressioas Of
France. It ia not arrogance that puts these
words in my mouth. Tha Confederate Gov
ernments and myself arc acting with full con-
eciousuees tllat victory nnd defeat are in tho
lands Of HIM WHO decides the fate Of batt!es.
With clear gaze We have measured tho re-
Of God and of mankind, must fall upon him who
d1ags two great and peace-losing peoples OF
the heart OF Europe into devastating war.
The German and French peoples
both equally enjoying and desiring the
an increasing prosperity-sH are called ia
mora Wholesome rivalry than the eauguinarJ
conflict OF arms Yet those who bold power ia
France haye, by preconcerted misguidance,
found meana TO work upon the legitimate, but
excitsble: national sentiments Of our greal
neighboring people, for the furtherance o1
persoual iniefe.ts and the qualification Of pas
aiona. The more tile confederate gogezpnnonts
are conscious Of having done all our honor AMI
dignity permitted to preserve to Europe tl'
blessings Of peace tho moro indubitabl'
! hall = ~ 43o t,z
been thrust into our hands--so much the NOR
confidently shall We rely upon the united vii
Of the German guyeEnmente, both OF th
North and South, and upon your love Of coun
Try; md 50 much the more confidently vi
shsll fight for cur right against the violence
other object than the durable establishment 0
peace in Europe Go4l will be with us, a. b
: var With our fotetathers-'
, The King read the speech in 4 firm voice, b1
displayed at several Passages puch etnotlon
and was often interrupted by rociferous cheer
divided Germanr-a remark that waa 1nde1
L. stood to a1lude 10 the cooperation Of B4vasss
il The other passages most cheered we're the on
1 referring to the pcace-loying German people
!. and the EniaEuidsnce Of the French nation. :.
i On the same day the Berlin Town Council
!. ors presented to the King IN address, thank
: ing His Majesty for having repelled tho uu
+ heard Of attempt upon the dignity and inde
! pendencc Of he nation, and asserting thai
. Frsnee hAvipg declared war against Prussi.
i every man would do Lis duty. Th
= King, in repiv, EXPRESSED bis gratitud
= for the eeuttmeuts contained IN th
Z Ailress, and said ''God knows, Al
/. not answoial.]e for this war; tho deman
e eent me could not do otherWise than rejec
e Ny reply gained the approval Of al the .o~1
; and provinces. the expression Of Which hay
Z received from al parts Of Germany, and eye
o from Germans residing beyond tts seas: II
n greeting which mas giren mo hero on Ends
d last animated mo with pride nna conHdonc
Heavy s.esises vii b Ss1 asn.adea os ny Ee
ID 10 them by The quickly gained victories whi'
e We aehiessd in the last 2s1. We ahall not 8
e e on so cneaply this time; but I know what
e j. may expect from my army, and from tho
70 nov fastening to join the ranks. The instr
ID nent is sha1p md cutting; the result is in t
G hands Of God. know, also, what may Q
q poet from those who are called on to alisgia
II II The wounds, and pains, and entte1angs VIII
- war entails. In conclusion, beg you to 9
d press my sincere thanks to Tho cidzens for I
ID reception they have given me-"