Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-07-29
A NAGNIFICESr SUNSET.
DEBATE IN THE CORPS LECIsLtTIr -BEN.EgA AnL
SPEECH or ~ THEIRS

DEBATE IN THE CORPS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. nLF
SPEECH or 81. THEIRS.
During the debate relative to the army on the
31th ult, in tine Corps Legislstif, NJ Tbiers
spoke as follows:
beg pardon Of the Chamber for intervening
in a discussion in which the Minister # War has
given ample information. | DO not come there
fore, to enlighteu the subject. but to fulfil the
duty IF good citizen. | cannot be impeached
by sny one, for have always defended liberties
thai deemed necessary; and recently did not
fesr 10 vote with minority Of 30 against a ma
i5rity Of 200 l know how TO persist in my own
opinions; but | say to my honorable friends Of
the opposition that they deceive themselves in
this matter. Certainly the good faith Of no one is
questioned, but adjure you not TO 20 astray on
this grave matter You have done me the honor
Of recalling that | was sppltuiei sJue years
ago, bui was applauded without being heard.
daughter We must submit to the conse-
quences of the faults We have committed. l hear
it constantly asked, ''Why not explain the policy
Of Europe 20 But that policy is evident We
wish for peace because war to-day would be uni
yersal entailing frghtful cAlamities. Guilty in
the eyes OF civilization, Of humanity, Of history.
and Of France would be those who would have
the mprudence to occasion it But why is peace
maintained Ii is because you are strong. (TTes
bien tres 5ieH) | have always attentiyeiy OBJ
served the state of Europe, especially since the
unfortunate events Of 1866 Well. when the
Luxembourg question was raised France was
not in position make herself respected
did not always approve the measures taken by
Marshal Neil, but it must be Acknowledged that
be rendered great services TO his country, and
that peace is due TO mis- armaments Ii you de-
sire peace, remain strong (Tres bien) It is
asked, why not give the example Of disarma-
meut? Here it is necessary 10 reflect. Reflec-
ton is the base Of the question. hear it said
increasingly - We are on a war footing That
Is wrong, we are not on a war footing, and T a
Minister OF War should speak Of disarmament
would say to him thai he is imprudent and igno-
rant But We are told, disarm and you will be
initiated Well when every oae il L 'roue-T
shoulI say nearly every ore-desires pc zee, why
have We no invitations to disarml Why has
that word pronounced three years ago found no
echo? Do you believe it is on account Of i'll
will or idle malice, Not at all
II is believed that Prussia is on an extraordi-
nary war footing II is no more true of her than
of ourselves But no account is taken of the
past Formerly Prussia had 1900, 900 of men
al her disposal. How many has she to-day, with
the treaties of alliance, defensive and offensive,
binding on the Southern Ststesl She has over
10000, 600 Do not deny the changes caused by
the events of 1866. In place of a Federal Ger
many, organized for peace, all-powerful for de-
fence, powerless for attack, you have for
midable military power. At its head is su-
perior man. who is peaceable to-day, and not dis
posed to disturb the world, but he has 40 900 900
mea at his control. 10 face Of this force must
have a new military organization There is
patriotism on all the benches Of this chamber ;
but patriotism is not sufficient. To be deceived
In this matter would be worse than to want