Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-22

SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR OFaGERMANf.--l
The German Parliament was opened yesterday
by the Emperor William, who in person de-
liyered speech from the throne.
The Emperor said "When see the Ger
man Reichstag for the first time after the glo-
rious, but trying struggle which Germany has
VIGOROUSLY prosecuted for her independence;
am impelled first to give thanks to God for the
historic success with which he has blessed the
faithful unity Of the German allies, the hero
ism and discipline of the armies, and the devo-
ton of the German people. We have what
our forefathers struggled; tor-umty OF Ger
many and security of her frontiers: Our con-
viction of future unity was yelled, but the ever
present enthusiasm of the people rent the veil.
when the Fatherland was threatened, the ma,
ton unanimously rose in her defence, and traced
;ts firm will in indeble characters OH the bat
tle-felds of France to be united people. The
shirt apimating Germany peryades her culture
and morals, and the constitution of her armies
guards against the abuse Of acquired powers.
independent Germany respects the lndepcn-
dence of others. This fiery ordeal OF war
through which we have passed is reliable
guarantee Of European peace. Powerful and
sefreliant, Germany bequeaths to you the reg
ulation of her own affairs as q satisfactory
heritage.
To the especial qualification of Germany, the
Conference at London, i'll i peaceful spirit has
achieved the work Of Cancellation 1t Is now
the task of the Reichstag to heal the. wounds
and to confirm the thanks of Fatherland to those
who have paid for the victory with their blood
and lives Let the Reichstag cooperate with
the Government in the constitutional mission
of perfecting laws for the welfare Of the people.
Constitutional arrangements contemplated by
the Government involve the provisions of the
Southern States, which will receive in new
act to be submitted to the Rcichstag a better
conformation and i more harmonious rem
dering.
The amount to be contributed by each State
toward the current expenses OF the Empire de-
mands legal settlement, and sanction is to be
given to separate laws for Bavaria, which will
be introduced. The war indemnity will be
disposed Of with Government approval in con-
formity with the requirements Of the Empire
The Just claims of the Empire on account OF
the expenses Of the war will be laid before you
as soon as possible.
|. The position OF the recovered territories rem
ders necessary special Legislation, which will be
speedily brought to your attention. Pensions
for the soldiers and support for the widows and
orphans of the war are to be provided for, and
measures to these ends should be made to APP
ply to the whole Empire, for all fought with
equal devotion and deserve equal honor and re-
ward. May the establishment Of the German
Empire be promise Of future greatness May
q war fought so glorious y be followed by al
equally glorious peace and may our people
henceforth prove victorious in the universal
struggle for the fruits of peace ...
DANIEL WEDsTER's Own ACCOUNT OF
NARROW ESCAPES. In connection with recent
calamitics, the following passage from the exor-
dunn of Daniel Websters address in the Su-
premc Court, in opening the case Of the Mer-
chants bank Of Boston vs. the owners Of the
steamboat Lexington, will be Of interest -
I'm january, 1910, the steamboat Licking
ton was destroyed by fire on Long Island Sound
on voyage from New York to Stonington, in
Connecticut The Merchant bank of Boston
owned sum OF money III specie, which had
been shipped on board of the Lexington, and
brought this action, in the form Of u suit in adj
miralty against the owners of the boat to recov-
er the amount so lost On the 18th Of Fchru-
airy, $40, just after my return from Europe,
l. left Boston for Washington, and expected TO
embark for Stonington On board of the Licking
ton for New York On the evening of that
day | arrived at Stonington and WAS met by
the shocking news that the night previous this
boat had been burned, and that out of no
passengers only two had escaped. In June.
1850, was to leave Albany, WHITTIER I had
been on professional business at six 0 clock in
the afternoon Two steamboats, were at the
landing bound for New York-thc Rochester
and the Swallow. | asked friend which boat
1 should take He remarked that both were
good vessels. babe him decide for me He
decided in favor of the Rochester. | went on
board of chat boat Both started at the same
time, the Rochester a little in the rear The
dark night came on. The Swallow took the
west side of all island in the Hudson, ran upon
a rock, and split. We were near enough to
see her lights 60 down into the water and
hear the shrieks ofnen and women sinking to
rise no more On the 18th of November, 1916
[ intended to have left Boston for Washington
so as to intercept the steamer Atlantic at Nor
wich, but the threatening weather induced
me to put off my departure
On the 9th left and reached Norwich
at o'clock in the afternoon, but found the
boat not there. She left on the 18th, and was
seen riding at anchor off Fisher Island, with
some of her machinery deranged, las was sup
pOSed, Dut no enc imagined she was IN danger.
A steamboat had gone to look after her, and
would be back at clock on the 9th to take
US on board and proceed on our voyage. The
hour came and with it the boat, her colors fly
ing at halfmast. The whole city rushed to the
scene. Their feelings may be imagined when
they saw 20 or 30 corpses laid on the wharf
the dead from the wreck of the Atlantic
Moving amid the scenes of human life so
near to disasters and accidents-if accidents
they can be called-t may be well supposed
that I approach a subject like this with an
earnestness beyond that arising from profes
sional duty.
SELECTED.