Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-28
King williams Speech.

session OF inc LaUutdS Seoteiuny VIII q
speech. The King entered the hall followed
by the royal Princes. The Queen and the
Processes occupied dais to The right OF
the throne. The members of the two houses
of the Landtag were stationed opposite the
throne. AS soon as the King arrived the
president Of the upper house proposed
cheers for him, and they were given with
enthusiasm. The King assembled the throne,
and without removing his helmet read bis
speech. which WAS as follows This ls
time of sorrow. l welcome you for the first
time from this place. Only for few months
did the sceptre rest in the hand OF my de-
parted father, nevertheless his reign was
long enough for the fatheiland 10 recognize
what A ruler it has lost. His personal dig
nitv end nobility of mind, the glorious part
he played in the great destnies of The father
land and the heroic and Christian resignation
With which he fought his mortal maIady has
made his memory imperishable in the
hearts of the people. l received numberless
proofs Of faithful remembrance and loving
sympathy at a time go sorrowful for me. l
expressed to all who approached me with
words of comfort my kiDgy thanks. When
through my fathers death my ancestors
crown descended to me | felt it necessary at
the beginning of my reign to assemble you
about me without delay to take before you
the oath to the constitution, which L swear
to keep firm and invioable, and swear TO
rule lawfully and truly as God may help me-
William /, during a glorious reign, Tiled
with deeds Of war and peace, created the
Prussia of to-day, aid made our peoples
yearning for national unity reality. My
father, actuated by the same piety, and
whose example inspires me, continued the
same policy. Williams works in public
proclamatons constituted hie political leg
acy. am resolved to follow him 10 this
path of governing Prussia, and also as re-
CARDS the imperial policy. Like William L,
l will faithfully and conscentiousy observe
the laws and respect the rights OF the people
At the same time | will maintain and exer-
ciae the constitutional rights of the crown,
and will tran smit them unimpared to my
successor. am far from aiming 20 enlarge
The prerogatives of the crown, thereby dis,
turbine confidence in the stability of the.
legal conditions under which we are gov
erned The legal status of my rights, go
long as it remains undisputed is sufficient
to afford TO the life of the State the measure
of monarchical Influence which Prussia re.
quires in pursuance of her historical devel'
opment. From the manner in which Prus
sia was constituted from her present posi-
ton in the empire, and in view of the sent!-
ments and habits of our people, | believe
that our constitution distributes the coop
Grafton Of forces in the life Of the State in
wise and beneficent manner. Because OF
this belief, as we'll as on account Of my
oath, shall guard and protect the consii-
tuition. Following my ancestors example,
| shall consider it my duty to extend to ali
religions my kingly protection in the free
exercise of their forms of worship. am es-
pecially satisfied with the recent ecclesias
tical legislation which has shaped the rela-
tions between the State and the Catholic
Church and its spiritual head in manner
acceptable to both parties. | shall endeavor
to preserve the ecclesiastical peace of the
country.
1.-The principal points in the reform of the
internal administration accomplished at the
last session of the Landtag, and the practi
cal working of the new legislation
prove that the idea of self-govern
ment controlled By honorary function.
aries has taken full possession of
the popular mind. Suitable person
al forces readily advanced and placed
wealth. Intend firmly to uphold this va
uabe result. and to further develop and
strengthen the new institutions and contri-
butte to their permanent and successful
working. shall adhere tc the traditions Of
the Prussian financial administration" The
King expressed sympathy with the sufferers
by the recent foods in Prussia, and said the
government was relieving them and work
ing to prevent a recurrence Of the disaster.
He thanked ell those persons at home and
abroad who assisted in alternating The dis
tress He said he hoped to promote The
prosperity Of The country by common labors
based on mutual confidence, which would
not be jeopardized by radical differences of
views on fundamental questions. He said
he assumed office at q momentous time, but
that he approached his task confidently. in
spired with sense Of duty In conclusion
he quoted the words of Frederick the Great:
the King is the first servant of the State"
The chief passages of the address were loud
" applauded. When he bad finished the
King extended his hand 10 Prince Bismarck,
who, bowling low, kissed it. After bowling
to the assembly the King left the hall amid
enthusiastic cheering.