THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 536, 7 February 1870, Page 2

THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH.

The opening ceremony took place in the Salle des Ktats, in the palace of the Louvre. The Kmperor, who looked well, though he walked slowly, was accompanied by the Prince Imperial, and was loudly cheered as he entered the crowded hall. He read his speech clearly and distinctly. It began by stating that it is not easy to establish in France " the regular and peaceful exercise of liberty." Some months back society was menaced by subversive passions, and liberty was compromised by excesses committed by the public journals and at public meeting*; but "already the gond sense of the public reacts against culpable exaggerations." " Impotent attacks," said the Emperor, " have oily had the effect of showing the solidity of the edifice founded by universal suffrage. Nevertheless, the uncertain 'y and disquietude which exist in the minds of the people cannot endure, and the situation requires more than ever frankness and decision. We must speak without any circumlocution, and declare loudly what is the will of the country. France desires liberty, but liberty united with order. For order I will answer. Aid me. gentlemen, to save liberty; and to attain this object let us keep at an equal distance from reaction and revolutionary theories." The words" L'ordre,fen reponds" were spoken with marked emphasis, and responded to with maiked applause, some members of both Houses waving their hats in token of adhesion. His Majesty continued . " Between those who pretend to preserve everything without change, and those who aspire to overthrow everything, there is glorious ground to be taken up." Then proceeding to specify the measures which shall mark " the new era of conciliation and progress," the Emperor assure 1 his hearers that they would " all bear a sincerely liberal character." First, he referred to the municipal reforms, by which the Government will in future be prohibited from appointing as mayor any one who has not been elected to the town council by universal suffrage, and to other changes, the general tendency of which is to enlarge the sphere of local self-government. Then he enumerated certain projects for social improvement — amongst them, the extension of education, greater facilities of access to savings banks, and the regulation of infant labour. The Emperor expressed satisfaction at the outlook both at home and abroad. "Commerce is not at a standstill," and financed are flourishing; so that some reforms can be introduced. " But it is not enough to propose reforms, to introduce savings in the finances, and to administer affairs in an effective manner. It is also necessary that by a clear and firm attitude the public bodies, in accordance with the Government, should allow that the more we widen the paths of liberty, the more we are determined to preserve he interests of society and the principles of the constitution intact and superior to all acts of violence. It is the duty and within the power of a Government which is the legitimate expression of the national will, to c use ihut will to be respected, for it has both right and might upon its side." His Majesty then referred to the progress of civilisation in other countries, noticing in proof of that progrf ss emancipation in America and Russia, justice rendered by England to Ireland, the approaching CEcumenical Conncil, the Pacific Railroad, the Suez Canal, and the tunnel under the Alps. Coming back once more to France, the Emperor said that the moie direct participa'ion of tin country in its own affairs would give the empire fresh strength. At the conclusion of the speech, according to custom, the names of those deputies elected since the Chamber last sat were called over, that they might come and take the oath. When that of Henri Kochefort was cilled, and the u^ual pause was in»de to give him time to answer, if he had been present, there was a profound silence, then a laugh, and a slight hiss, followed immediately by a hearty burst of " Vive I' Empereur !" '* Persons who were so placed as to have a god view of the Kmperor's countenance at that moment, assure me " (says '/he Times correspondent) " that it was lit up by a well-;>]eased smile." The mo-t t-ignificant fact was the absence of all the deputies of the Lefr, and of a portion also of the Tiers Parti, by way of protest agttinst the long prorogation of the Chambers. The general impression made by the speech upon the diplomatic corps is said to ha<'e been favourable ; yet the Bourse fell slightly. It has been discussed in this country with an interest greater than attaches to a Queen's speech, and the general judgment seems to pronounce it not equal to the tmerg'ney t m the other hnnd, it ■« too much to expect that the Kmperor should suddenly turn hack on his course, and accomplish a revolution by a word ; and on the other h«nd, excellent as are the reforms projected, they do not go far enough — they leave the great central questions of the day untouched. T'-e altered conditions are frankly acknowledged, but there is still the reality of personal government. The Paris papers freely express the popular dissatisfaction. The Siecle characterises the speech as " ft melancholy affar, a mixture of vague liberal <leelur ilions mid absolutist menaces which will rc»BMirp neither private interests nor public opinion." Tli.e' Temps aays that "it recalls, by error or fat itity the l»st speeches from the throne of Charles K. and Louis Philippe."