National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-08-15
THE QUEENS SPEECH.


THE EGYPTIAN, RUSSIAN, SOUTH AFRICAN,
AND OTHER TROUBLES GlNGERLY
TOUCHED uroS.
LONDON, Aug. 14.-Parliament was
prorogued to-day. The following is the
queen speech proroguing the session;
Ny LORDS AND GENTLEMEN: am glad to
bio ablo e, relieve you from the labors Of q
session which has been protTscted and event
formed you that m expedition was advancing
up tho valley Of the Nile to the rel iefof Khar-
toum. Three months later. with deep sorrow
that tho expedition arrived too late. The
heroic Gordon and his companions had fallen.
An endeayor. which was Intellectual, was made
70 reach hhart 70 Sy conuf iroops rsrN
timately withdrawn from the whole OF eastern
Soudan. except Spakin, and from western
Soudan down to Alashijert. Although the
objects of the expedition were unattained.
have great reason to BIO proud OF the bravery
and endurance displayed by my soldiers and
sailors, and Of the skill wherewith they have
/ received with great pleasure the yal
offers Of military assistance for this campaign
from my colonies, from the native princes Of
India and contingent from NR shs colony Of
the actions on the. coast Of the Red sea. Tho
death Of III Mabdi will probably enable me TO
perform with less difficulties the duties toward
tho ruler and people of Egypt which events
have imposed upon me. l shall not relax my
efforts to place government and good order in
that country upon a firm foundation.
My relations with nta other Other powers are ola
time were of an anxious character, arose be-
tween my government aud Russia concerning
tho limits Of The territory Of my ally, tho
thor adjustment still continue. and will. I
trust lead at an carly period to n satisfactory
settlement.
compelled me, in tho interest of the native
races, to take under my protection Bechuana-
land and certain adjacent territories.
lam taking tho necessary steps to place the
northwest frontier OF my Indian empire In q
condition Of adequate defense in the absence
ofwhich tho prosperity and tranquility of my
Indian subjects are liable from time to time to
be interrupted aud disturbed.
Gentlemen Of the house of commons: thank
you for the liborality whetewith during tho
past year you have provided for the services
OF the country.
pleasure Of giving my assentto measure en-
abing federal action in certain matters to BIO
taken by my colonies in Austral Asia to
much needed amendment to the criminal law,
and to o bill establishing new department
in the government for tho management Of
Scottish affairs. i have also been glad to
concur in the measure increasing the number
of occupying freeholders In ireland. L notice
with sincere qualification that nm effort has
been made by bill, whereto L assented, to
diminish tho evils ofoyercrowded and insani-
tary dwellings. which hinder so seriously the
moral and material well-being Of the laboring
classes. regret the depression which so pre-
vailed in many OF the important trades and
agricultural and notwithstanding industries Of
the country, and which still con tinues. Ihave
directed tho issue of a commission to inquire
into the causes of this depression, and to as
certain where IL can be alleviatod by legisla-
ton.
During the past session your time has been
principally occupied by tho enlargement of the
electorate and the extensive change which you
have in consequence made in the constitution
of the house of commons. | earnestly trust
that these comprehensive measures may i'm
crease the efficiency of parliament, and may
add contentmcnt among my people. IL Is my
purpose before long to seek their counsel by o
dissolution of parliament. / pray the blessing
of God may rest upon their extended liberties,
and that the members who are called upon to
exercise new powers with tho sobriety and dis
cernmenti which have so long u period marked
the history Of this nation.