Connecticut western news., 1888-07-04
MORE ROYAL POMP,
King William IT. Opens the Prussian
 Landtag.

The opening of the Landtag was accompan jed by an imposing ceremonial similar to that observed when the Reichstag met. The White Hall of tho old castle was again the scene of | the ceremonies. The King entered the hall, followed by the royal Princes. The Queen and l the Princesses occupied dais to the right of | the throne. The members of the two houses | of the Landtag were stationed opposite the throne, the members of the upper house on l the right and those of the lower house on the | left side AS soon as the King arrived the President of the upper house proposed cheers | for him, and they were given with enthusiasm. The King did not remove his helmet while reading his speech which was. in part, as fol- | lows:
 ''This is 8 time of sorrow. welcome you | for the first time from this place. Only for a few months did the sceptre rest in the hand of my departed father. Nevertheless his reign | was long enough for the fatherland to recog. | nize what ruler it has lost. His personal dig nifty and nobility of mind, the glorious parts | he played in the great destinies of the father | land, and the heroic and Christian resigna- tion with which he fought his mortal malady hayo made his memory imperishable in the hearts of the people, l received numberless proofs of faithful remembrance and loving sympathy at 8 time so sorrowful for me. expressed to all who approached me with words of comfort my kingly thanks. When, through my fathers death, my ancestors crown de- | scended to me, felt it necessary at the begin ming of my reign to assemble you about me
 
 the constitution, which swear to keep firm and inviolable, and swear to rule lawfully and truly, as God may help me.
 '.William l., during glorious reign filled with deeds of war and peace, created the | Prussia of to-day and. made our !peopl s | yearning for national unity reality. My faith | CT, actuated by the same piety, and whose ex- | ample inspires me, continued tho same policy. | Williams works in public proclamations con- | stituted his political legacy. I am resolved to m in and also as regards the imperial policy. Like William l., will faithfully and conscientious | ly observe the laws and respect the rights of the people. At the same time will maintain | and exercise the constitutional rights of the | crown, and will transmit them unimpaired to | my successor. 1 am far from aiming to en- large the pererogatives of the crown, thereby | disturbing confidence in the stability of the | legal conditions under which we are governed. The legal status of my rights, so long as it re- | mains undisputed, is sufficient to afford to the | life of the State the measure of monarchial in- tluence which Prussia requires in pursuance of her historical development From the man. | ner in which Prussia was constructed, from her present position in the empire, and in view | of the sentiments and habits of our people,
 believe that our Constitution distributes the cooperation of forces in the life of the State | in wise and beneficcnt manner. Because of | this bellef as we'll as on account of my oath, l shall guard and protect the Constitution.
 Following my ancestors examples shall consider it my duty to extend to all religions my. kiDgly protection in the free exercise ot their forms of worship. I am especially satis
 fled with the recent ecclesiastical legislation, which has shaped the relations between the State and the Catholic Church and it's spiritual head in manner acceptable to both parties.
 I shall endeavor to preserve the ecclesiastical peace of the countzy. The principal points in
 the reform of the internal administration ac- | complished at tho last session of the Landtae
 and the practical working ot the new legis-
 lation prove that the idea of self-govsrnmeni
 controlled by honorary functienaries has taken
 full possession of the popular mind. Suitable
 personal forces readily advanced and placed
 themselves at the service of the Common
 wealth. intend firmly to uphold this valuable
 result, and to further develop and strengthen
 the new institutions and contribute to theil
 permanent and successful working. I shal
 adhere to the traditions of the Prussan fnan-
 cial administration"
 The chief passages of the address were loud
 ly applauded When he had finished the King
 extended his hand to Prince Bismarck, who
 lowing low, kissed it. After lowing to the as
 sembly the King left the hall amid enthusiastic | cheering.