THE FRENCH SENATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 496, 1 June 1861, Page 6

THE FRENCH SENATE.

In our last we published a summary of the project of address adopted by the committee of the senate in reply to the emperor's opening speech> The debate on the address commenced on Feb. 28. The passages in the address which approve of the emperor's policy with regard to Rome were made for some days the theme of a discussion eager and ardent on both sides, and not unfrequently broken by energetic and even angry interruptions. The Marquis de Larochejacquelin delivered a lengthened and zealous harangue in support of the temporal power of the Pope, and in denuncia-

' tjton of the course pursued daring the recent ItjaKan struggle by yiptor .Emmanuel, Count Cavour, Lord Rusgell, and, indeed, all who were supposed to have had any influence, directly or indirectly, in securing the independence of Italy. Jfhe speaker claimed that France should: boldly declare her determination to guarantee the security of the. Pope's temporal pow,ex. Senator Pietri, formerly Prefect of Police and late Imperial Commissioner in Italy, in his speech said : — " The temporal power of .the Pope is lost. We

must confine ourselves to the preservation of his spiritual power. We must consider the attitude of the reaction which has again raised its bead, and must determine our line of conduct. Italy has ah army of 300,000 men, which she vrill place on our side in the conflict with which we are threatened." On March 1 the interest of the discussion reached its culminating point. On that day Prince Napoleon delivered a speech of extraordinary boldness on the Papal question — a speech which alarmed the Ultramontane party as much as it rejoiced all friends of Italian liberty. The prince said : — " I am astonished at the violence of the di*cussion. I leave to liberal opinion In Europe, to the patriotism of the Italians, to the 200,000 soldiers who, with the emperor at their head, ntade the campaign of Italy, the task of replying to the insults which you have listened to. (Cheers.) The empire represents modern society, its progressive tendencies, and the liberal principles Of 1789. (Loud cheers.) The peoples are not mistaken if they rely upon Napoleon 111., who will not fail in his mission.*' The prince recalled the words of the cpnperor respecting Gaeta, and said : — " Count Heckeren has confounded the words " pity " and " sympathy," the. latter, being only felt by the emperor for the glorious cause of Italy and for the allies who have shed their bloqd , at our sides at Magenta and Solferino." The Prince defended the English alliance against the Marquis de Larochejacquelin, and said : — " That alliance is not with some particular ministers, but with the great and liberal English people. It is an alliance with which we can defend the great principles of liberty and progress." The Prince justified the policy of Piedmont in Italy, and maintained that the unity of Italy was favourable to France, of whom, he said, she was the natural ally. He uttered some sympathetic words respecting Venice, but said that he should deplore any untimely attack. He foresaw that Italy united would soon demand Rome as her capital, and continued :— " The difficulty is to insure the independence of the Pope, who cannot become subject to another sovereign ; but bj securing to the Pope the right side of the city of Rome, with a Papal garrison and a Papal budget, guaranteed by the. Powers, his independence woujd be fawnred." The Prince was essentially opposed to tne union of the temporal and spiritual powers* which would be a subjection of the conscience. [It will readily be conceived that the bold tone of the above speech produced an immense sensation throughout Europe, and especially in Italy. In a Paris letter of 2nd March we read: — "The, Prince's speech fills "nearly the whole of the Moniteur. It is sold in the streets, and you hear everywhere the hawkers crying out, ' Speech of Monseigneur le Prince Napoleon Bonaparte in answer to the Marquis de Larochejacquelin.' It is posted up on the walls, and groups of people stop to read it." Prince Napoleon was warmly congratulated on his speech by several of the ministers; and it is certain that it was approved of— at least, in the main — by the Emperor himself.] In spite of the strength with -which the arguments of the Ultramontane party were com-* batted in the Senate, an amendment in favour of the temporal power of the Pope was lost, only by two. The only other point of nrach; interest for our readers, besides the Roman question, was the feeling shown in the course of the debate, on the Anglo-French alliance. Thjjre is bo doubt that a good deal of hostility to England was manifested by many- of the senators. The Paris correspondent of the Post has even gone the length of saying thst that was thejprevaU.ing sentiment. As &, sample of the Anglophobia to which expression wa» given, we extract the following passage from the report, of the spcechofM.de Boissy. T-his. senator attacked England on the subject of the arrangements respecting- passports : — " The Marquis de Boissy said be could not understand facilities, granted to the. citizens of a country in which Orsini had manufactured and tried bis bombs. He had no antipathy against England or her banquets, for he frequently dined with an Englishman (laughter.) - -but he vowed that he always endeavoured to keep up the resentments which prevailed in France against England. (Oh.) He thought that a war would take place between the two countries, and it would be a benefit for the dynasty. (Murmurs.) H.e was pained to hear that the Emperor had said that it would require 20 years alliance! w.i(b England to consolidate the dynasty. " Several Voices : Who. said so ? " The Marquis de BoiBsy : A man in power, gentlemen. I shall' not mention his name, but I am humiliated at seeing the crown of France, subjected to the goodwill of England. (Murmurs.) " A Voice : It is a calumny. "The Marquis de Boissy : You say that it is a calumny. * Shall; I tell you where ike calumny lies ?■ It is in England— it is in the Parliament, wjbere they are never, tired of, calumniating -the Emperor.. (Loud remon- ' strances.) " The president addressed some observations to the hon. Mainuis on the wan£ of propriety in his remarks, 2nd called on him to confine himself to the question, from which he was manifestly, departing. " The Marquis de Boissy.: Since lam called, ■ to order, I shall be silent altogether." •" The debate came to an end on 7th March, when the w£ole address. was, Agreed, toby 120 against 3 votes, " " A deputation of the Senate, headed by their President, M. Troplqng, waited; on the Emperor on the Bth March to present the address. His Majesty received 'then* seated, on the throne and surrounded by the great officers of state. The address, as originally drawn up, and, voted by the Senate, was read by M. Troploug,' The Emperor, replied as follows : — "The, new r rig£t.. given. to political bodies, to freely examin.o all the acts, of the Government, has had for ita object to. enlighteathe country on the great quqstiqns wh.ich noy agitate the public mind. The discussion. xonst- hare proved to it

that, in spite of the diflfcuhies which arose abroad oat of the conflict of extreme situations, we abandoned none of the opposing interests which were to be protected. My policy will be alw«ya firm, loyal, and withqut mei^aj, reservation, The address of the Senate approves my conduct in the past, and expresses its confidence in |he future I thank you for it."

These words were received -with load ori.ei of "Vive rEmpereur]" «n£ fte fcmMatt wtfhdrewv

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