THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED IN FLORENCE
The King^s Speech.
Gentlemen Senators, — Gentlemen Deputies, — When in that générons city which has guarded the destinies of Italy in her new-born fortunes, I inaugurated these parliamentary sittings, my words were ever full of encouragement and hope, constantly justified by the feats that followed. With a soûl full of the same confidence to-day I see you united round me in this noble Seat of illustrions memories. Here also, intent on the full vindication of our right to self-government, we shall conquer every obstacle.
On closing the last législature, in deference to the Head of the Church, and with the desire of satisfying the religions scruples of the majority, the government welcomed a proposai for negotiations with the Pontifical See ; but they were obliged to break them off when they thought the conditions would be derogatory to the rights of the crown and the nation. The fulness of time and the inévitable force of events will solve the question between the kingdom of Italy and the papacy. On us meantime it is incumbent to observe faithfully the convention of September 15, which France will in the established time carry into complété effect. The virtue of waiting is to-day rendered more easy to Italy than it was in the past, for since I last addressed Parliament its condition has been improving.
In the progress of our work we are comforted
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by the sympathy of ail civilised peoples. By community of interests and by the tie of gratitude we are bound in a close accord with France. We are in good relations with most of the other States of Europe, and with the governments of the two Americas. A vast field was opened to commerce by the advantageous treaties concluded with England, Holland, Denmark, Switzerland ; as- already with France, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey, and Persia. Spain a short time ago recognised the kingdom of Italy. Bavaria and Saxony hâve manifested the same desire which Germany and Prussia hâve already put into effect. The ties between the Latin race and the noble Germanie peoples thus strengthened will enable the Italians to entwine with theirs their interests and aspirations, and help to extinguish obsolète préjudices and rancours. In this manner Italy, taking her place among the great states of Europe, will contribute to the triumph of justice and liberty.
At home our policy has already produced wonderful effects. In the course of a few years — in the administration, in the laws, in codes, in public works, in the army — results hâve been obtained for which in other countries they hâve laboured for générations or hâve gone through déplorable intestine struggles. That so many difficulties are overcome, augurs well for the future.
My ministers will présent drafts of laws to completely systématisé the legislative unification of the kingdom of Italy, to redeem from ignorance the poorer
THE KING’S speech.
classes, to improve the condition of crédit, and to push forward more energetically ’the public works. Other laws you will amend as expérience and opportunity counsel. The great difficulty is to repair the unbalanced State of the finances without taking from the nation its strength of arms by land and sea. I am grieved beyond measure that an unavoidable necessity obliges us to ask from my people new sacrifices. But I am certain their public spirit will not fail you, gentlemen ; I hâve had too many guarantees of it in the privations they hâve already sustained with such wonderful constancy. But I desire you to divide the taxes in the most équitable and least burdensome manner possible, reducing the public expenses to the narrowest limits.
The Italian p>eople ought to divest themselves of ail the remains of the past which stand in the way of the full development of their new life. You will hâve to deliberate upon the séparation of the Church and State, and the suppression of religions corporations. Proceeding in this manner the insidious practices of enemies, or the spite of fortune, will not destroy our work. A great change is going forward among the peoples of Europe. The future is in the hands of God. If in the accomplishment of the destinies of Italy, fresh trials should arise, I feel certain that her valiant sons would press around me once more. Where the moral force of civilisation prevails, the mature judgment of the nation will not fail to profit by it
loS LIFE OF VICTOR EMMANUEL IL
Gentlemen Senators, — Gentlemen Deputies, — In order that the rights and the honour of Italy may remain inviolate, it is necessary to advance frankly on the road of our national policy. Certain of your concurrence, confident in the affection of the people and the valour of the army, I will not shrink from this most noble undertaking which we must transmit complété to future générations.
