SPEECH OF COUNT DE MORNY.

New Zealander, Volume XV, Issue 1365, 18 May 1859, Page 1 (Supplement)

SPEECH OF COUNT DE MORNY.

The Count cle Morny spoke as follows, on the Bth, to the Corps Legislatif:— “ Gentlemen, —I intended to speak to you of yourselves. I had prepared returns, showing the work accomplished since I had the honour of presiding over you, and demonstrating the estimation in which your suggestions are held by the Government, by enumerating the numerous amendments introduced by you, and the influence reserved to you, by the constitution. And I concluded that, taking into account the state of division which exists in our society, a legislative body which freely studies all questions serves the general interests of the country better than the ancient chambers, whose Parliamentary contests reduced the votes on the laws to be nothing more than a political arm —a strafegic party means. But this cohl analysis appeared to meto be out of season. You are still too much under the influence of the emotion produced by the noble words you heard yesterday to permit me to withdraw your attention from them. Let us meditate on them, gentlemen, and, as we are the representatives of the nation, let us express to the Emperor an unlimited confidence, which ten years of wisdom, of moderation, of devotedness to the interests of France, and his religious care of her honour, must have inspired us with. Have confidence when the Emperor tells us ‘ .Resume tranquilly your labours—peace, I hope, will not be disturbed. I will remain firm in the road of law, justice, and national honour.’ And, when recollecting these celebrated words ‘ the empire w peace,’he adds that ‘peace cannot be disturbed except for the defence of great national interests,’ so many other considerations are added to dispel our uneasiness, “ Religion, philosophy, civilisation, credit, industry, have ail made of peace the first benefit of modern society. The blood of the people is no longer lightly shed ; war is the last resource of rights disregarded and of honour offended. The greater number of difficulties is removed by diplomacy, or solved by pacific arbitrament. Inter* national communications so rapid, and publicity, have created a new European power, with which all Governments are forced to account; that power is public opinion. It may for a moment be undecided or mistaken, but it always ends by siding with justice, with right, and with humanity. “ Let us hope that under present circumstances the generous ideas, the loyal and disinterested intentions of the Emperor, will make their way in the world, and that, adopted by the sympathy of the people, and sustained by the credit of sovereigns, they will succeed in resolving pacifically all difficult questions. “ Whatever be the future let us act as in the past ; ;let us take counsel only of our patriotism, let us rally still more round the throne. Defections or discouragements never save the country, nor anyone. Our resolute co-operation will give the Emperor greater authority to negociate, as it will give him, if need be, greater fore* to conquer.” The Times correspondent says:—“M. de Morny was interrupted more than once in his speech by strong marks of approbation, and its close was received with a round of applause.”