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THE WEEKLY MESSENGER
Boston, Friday, July 1, 1814
SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA
Paris, April 19 — The senate was this day presented to the emperor of Austria. The Prince of Benevente having expressed the gratitude due to his majesty for all he had done for France, the emperor replied,
"Senators — I receive with sensibility the expression of your sentiments.
The repose and happiness of France are intimately connected with the happiness and repose of my people. A neighbor of France, its interests cannot be indifferent to me. — The happiest of periods for Austria and France have been those, when their princes were united by the bonds of friendship.
I have combated for twenty years those principles which have laid waste the world. By the marriage of my daughter, I made, as a sovereign and a father, an immense sacrifice, to the desire of putting an end to the misfortunes of Europe. The sacrifice has been in vain, but I shall never regret having done my duty.
Peace, but lately impossible, is going to become easy and stable, under the eyes of a regular and paternal government, re-established in France. Let all parties rally round the king; let one only sentiment animate the nation; and my efforts, united with those of my powerful and generous allies, will be crowned with the first success of which I am ambitious; France will be powerful, tranquil and happy."
(The following article is said in Cobbett’s Political Register to have been published as Napoleon’s answer to the charges made against him by the senate in their decree of April 3rd, which will be found in the Messenger of the 17th instant. It was received in England through the medium of Dutch papers. Cobbett says, "It appears to me to possess all the characteristics of being genuine, though I dare say, it has been much curtailed. Its authenticity has not even been denied by our hireling journals; but although they have give it publicity, they have not ventured to make a single observation on its contents. Considering the class of men to whom it was addressed, and the nature of the accusations, which they preferred against Napoleon, it appears to me that he has, at least, completely exculpated himself from being the sole actor in the measures pursued during his reign; and that, if he had not been flattered, and his ambitious views so much encouraged by men equally vain and ambitious, he might perhaps have still been at the head of France, "and the French people enjoying all the advantages of a republican government." For our own part we must confess, we cannot admit the force of this apology. Of all the excuses, which a tyrant can make for his abuse of power, we should think the flattery of his minions the least just or plausible. It may more properly be placed to the account of his crimes, since it is inspired only by the dread of his cruelty. — Ed. Mess.)
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