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The Charleston Daily News
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
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On 23 March, Emperor Napoleon responded to the Corps Legislatif's address, affirming 15 years of tranquility and prosperity under his policy, advocating for regulated liberty that fosters progress without disorder, and expressing confidence in France's destiny amid support from state bodies, army, citizens, and divine protection.
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SELF-CONGRATULATIONS.
On the 23d March the deputation from the Corps Legislatif presented the address from that body in response to the speech from the throne. The Emperor on receiving the address spoke as follows:
The great majority of the Corps Legislatif has confirmed once more, by voting this address, the policy which has given you fifteen years of tranquillity and prosperity. 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, We also desire to attain those ends, while regulating our march by the appeasement of passions and the wants of society. Is not our motive the common welfare, or my power for me, if separated from the love of the people? And what attraction would your mission have of justice? Would you go through such long and arduous labors if you were not inspired by true patriotism? Could I have borne the weight of government for the last eighteen years, with its incessant preoccupations and heavy responsibility, before God and before the nation, if I had not felt within me that strength which comes 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 as liberty bordering upon license, which would excite evil passions, destroy all belief, rekindle hatred, and give rise to disorder. We require a liberty which shall enlighten, control, and discuss the actions of the Government but not become an arm to undermine and overthrow it.
Fifteen years ago, when nominal chief of the State, without effective power, and without support in the Chamber, but strong in my own conscience and the suffrages which had elected me, I ventured to declare that France would not perish in my hands. I have kept my word, and her high destiny will be accomplished. After us is the assistance of the great 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.
The speech was received with repeated cries of 'Vive l'Empereur!'
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
France
Event Date
23d March
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Event Details
The deputation from the Corps Legislatif presented an address in response to the speech from the throne. The Emperor received it and spoke, thanking them for confirming the policy of fifteen years of tranquillity and prosperity, rejecting vain theories, emphasizing regulated progress and liberty that appeases passions and meets societal needs, affirming his mission and France's destiny supported by state bodies, army, citizens, and divine protection. The speech was received with cries of 'Vive l'Empereur!'