FRANCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 214, 26 May 1866, Page 3

FRANCE.

After several days' discussion on amendments proposed by the Opposition, the Corps Legislatif have adopted the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne by 261 against 17 votes. His Majesty on being presented with the Address said :- "The great majority of the Corps Legislatif have confirmed once more, by voting this Address, the policy which has given you 15 years of (ranquility and properity. I thank you. Without allowing yourselves to be carried away by vain theories presented in a seductive garb, as alone capable of aiding the emancipation of thought and the progress of humanity ,you said to yourselves, ' also desire to attain those ends, while regulating ouv march by the appeasement of passions and the wants of society.' Is not our motive the common welfare, and what attraction would your mission have for you, or my power for me. if separated from the love of justice ? Would you go through such Jong and arduous labora if you were not inspired by true patriotism? Could I have borne the weight of government for the last 18 years, with its incessant preoccupations and heavy responsibility, before God and before the nation, it I had not felt within me that strength which is afforded by the sense of duty and by tho consciousness of having a useful mission to carry out? France, equally with ourselves > desires progress, stability, and liberty, but* a liberty which shall develop intelligence, generous instincts, and the noble exertions of labor — not a liberty bordering upon license, which would excite evil passions, destroy all belief, rekindle hatred, and gave rise to disorder. We require a liberty which shall enlighten, control, and discuss tho uctions of the government, but not become an arm to undermine and overthrow it. Fifteeri years ago, wlion nominal chief of the State, without effectivo power, and without support in the Chamber, but strong in my conscience and the suffrages which nad elected me, I ventured to declare that France would not perish in my hands. , I have kept my word. For 15 years France has developed and increased, and her high destiny will be accomplished. After us our sons will continue our work. My guarantee for this is the assistance of the bodies of the State, the devotion of the army, the patriotism of all good citizens, and lastly that divine protection which has never failed our country." His Majesty's speech was received with r ppQ.a.tpd oriPfl pf " Vivo I'JiJmpprour |"