You will notice in that speech no mention is made of the events in the
United States, nor of the position assumed by Spain in relation thereto,
nor of the protest entered by the United States against the annexation
of Dominica. To-day I called upon Mr. Calderon Collantes and requested
him to explain to me, and through me to my government, the meaning of
that omission. Mr. Calderon replied that he was happy to have an
opportunity to prevent all misinterpretation of the royal speech as far
as the United States was concerned. The government of Spain had already,
in a solemn manner, manifested its policy in relation to the internal
difficulties in the United States by the royal decree of the 17th of
June; this matter being thus definitely settled, the government had not
deemed it necessary to refer to it again. He would, however,
confidentially imform me that he had prepared a paragraph for the royal
speech on this subject; but that the speech being already very long,
this and other matters of similar importance had been dropped. This
paragraph which he recited to me contained an expression of regret at
the unfortunate occurrences in the United States, and of the firm
determination of her Majesty’s government faithfully to adhere to the
policy indicated in the decree of June 17. He
added that he would be happy to repeat this declaration in the Cortes if
an interpellation should be addressed to him on the subject. As to our
protest against the annexation of Dominica, he had not mentioned it in
order to avoid if possible any discussion of that matter.
I may add that I believe this government to be sincere in their
professions;
[Page 478]
not as though
they loved the United States particularly, but they do not mean to
provoke a difficulty with us, and will, I think, honestly endeavor to
avoid a conflict with us under all circumstances. If the government of
the United States show a corresponding temper, Spain will not think of
recognizing the independence of the southern confederacy. A few days ago
I had a conversation with General O’Donnell, who expressed himself very
strongly and straight-forwardly to that effect. * * * * * my personal relations with this government are
of the most satisfactory character, and the American legation is on
every occasion the object of marked attention and respect.
The Queen’s speech is more liberal than was anticipated. The government
has wisely concluded to concede without discussion several of the
principal demands made by the opposition, and the consequence was, that
in the test votes on parliamentary officers, the combined opposition did
not show as much strength as had been calculated. The majority of the
government in both branches of the legislature is very large, and the
ministry, whose existence seemed to be very precarious but a short time
ago, has apparently obtained a new lease of life. The opposition,
however, although numerically weak, have nearly all the parliamentary
talent of the Cortes on their side, and it would therefore be venturous
to predict the result. The ministerial journals foreshadow the
determination of the government to dissolve the Cortes in case an
attempt be made by the opposition to impede the working of the
governmental machinery by factious manoeuvres.
[Translation.]
Discourse
pronounced by the Queen on the formal opening of the Cortes
of the kingdom, November 8,
1861.
Sirs, Senators, and Deputies: It has always
been gratifying to me to see myself surrounded by the true
representatives of the country, but never more than on this day,
when my mother-heart, borne down with sorrow, needs the consolations
which God only, and those connected with us by ties of attachment
and affection, can impart to us in periods of great affliction.
No change has occurred in our friendly relations with the powers of
Europe since the adjournment of the labors of the Cortes.
The holy father, ever the object of tender and profound veneration to
all Catholics, excites my continual interest and my filial
solicitude. I have induced the governments of the nations which are
under his holy direction to unite in the investigation of measures
to secure to him in his states the peace and security needful to
him, that he may exercise with independence the august functions of
his sacred office; my feelings will stimulate me to continue those
efforts, thus meeting the wishes of my subjects in whose hearts the
religious faith of our fathers burns ardently.
I have the pleasure to announce to you that the differences which had
occurred with Venezuela have been satisfactorily arranged. In this,
as you will perceive, the inviolable principles of the law of
nations have been maintained, giving to my subjects reparation due
for the injuries of which they have been objects, and settling
guarantees necessary to avert their unfortunate recurrence.
Disorder and outrage has reached a climax with the ill-omened people
of
[Page 479]
Mexico. Treaties
broken, rights trampled on, my subjects exposed to serious attempts
and perpetual dangers, it was indispensable to set at this time an
example of wholesome rigor and evidence of magnanimous
generosity.
My government prepared all the elements for such results, when two
great nations, whose tolerance towards that people can never be
attributed to weakness, were the objects of fresh violence. The
offence was common; the action should be collective. My government
desired it Its endeavors to form the combination had previously been
efficient and active, but the result did not correspond with our
wishes. If now again the same should have occurred, the solution
would have been energetic; its action immediate and decisive.
France, England, and Spain have agreed upon obtaining the reparation
due for their grievances, and that necessary guarantees that the
intolerable wrongs which have scandalized the world and given
offence to humanity shall not be repeated in Mexico. By these means
will be realized the idea to the carrying out of which my government
had addressed its constant efforts. In due season it will give you
an account of the convention which has been concluded for this
purpose by the representatives of the three powers.
The presence of their naval and land forces at the most important
points of the coasts of Mexico can do no less than call to
reflection the parties who are destroying that unfortunate country.
If peace should grow out of it, under the shelter of a strongly
constituted government, we would congratulate ourselves upon having
given to it at once the existence belonging to civilization, and
also that of order combined with independence and
liberty. Spain will always desire that the people of the
American continent may be assured of maintaining the enjoyment
of such inappreciable blessings.
The island of Hispaniola, the first discovery by which the great
Columbus immortalized his name, has again become a part of the
monarchy. The Dominican people, threatened by external enemies,
exhausted by intestine disorders, in the midst of its conflicts
invoked the august name of the nation to which it owed civilization
and existence. To look upon its misfortunes unmoved; to turn a deaf
ear to its wishes, inspired by lofty recollections and by a
never-extinguished love for Spain, would have been unworthy of our
noble nature. Convinced that they were unanimous, and acting of
their free will, I have not hesitated to receive them, regarding the
honor still more than the advantage of my people.
The Dominicans have seen their hopes realized. The elements of wealth
shut up in their fertile soil begin to develop themselves in the
bosom of a profound peace, and the zeal and justice of my government
and of the authorities will sweep away the traces of past
discord.
The army and squadron of Cuba, conveying to Santo Domingo the
glorious standard of Castile, infused security to the inhabitants,
their enemies with fear and respect. They were generous to the
latter, because it has never been their mission to oppress the
weak.
The execution of the stipulations of the treaty of Vad-Ras, which put
an end to a glorious war, met with great difficulties. But to remove
them the Sultan of Morocco sent to my court as ambassador his
brother, the Prince Muley-el-abbes, and in a few days they were
removed.
The convention which will be presented to you in no manner innovates
on the treaty of peace. All the rights acquired thereby continue in
their pristine vigor. In determining the mode of paying the
indemnity of the war, I consulted the feelings of the Spanish
nation; which is always generous after victory. She will ever
accompany our flag if Divine Providence still reserves fresh combats
for our army and navy. These, meantime, are models of discipline and
fidelity.
[Page 480]
My government devotes its best endeavors to perfect its organization
by increasing the elements of strength and power which secure to
nations the wonderful advances of the sciences and of
civilization.
The navy, whose development has already received a considerable
impulse, will again occupy the high place from which errors and
misfortunes caused it to descend; errors and misfortunes which, far
from causing faintheartedness, ought to serve as a powerful stimulus
and a profitable teaching.
Grave events, by their alarming tendency to society, disturbed public
order in some towns of the province of Andalusia. To re-establish
that, and to punish those guilty of such criminal attempts, it was
not necessary to recur to extraordinary remedies. My government left
free the action of the tribunals which the laws establish for such
cases.
The definitive organization of the public administration calls for
the prompt examination and approval of the projects of laws
presented by the former legislature. The towns and provinces will
attain, through laws suited to their remarkable improvement, the
full intervention which they require in the direction of their
affairs and of care for their interests, without any diminution of
the means which the authorities need for the preservation everywhere
of that public order which is the first necessity of states.
My government desires that the liberty of the press may be guaranteed
by a law which may leave a wide field to the expression of thought,
and at the same time repress the outbreaks of passion. To give sure
pledges to individual liberty by reconciling it with public order
and with the tutelar principles of association, is the great problem
which political rules must solve to avoid the provocation of absurd
reactions or unhappy disturbances. The reform of the electoral law
will also soon call for your most profound attention. The extension
of the privilege of voting will cause all legitimate interests to be
represented in the assembly. Measures recommended by experience will
prevent fraud or coercion from invading the purity of the
ballot-box. The law repressing force and fraud secures the free
expression of public opinion.
The government, in order to transfer to the Cortes the exercise of an
important prerogative and to affirm the principle of the abolition
of mortmain, will propose to the Cortes, in due time, an amendment
to the constitutional reform in the terms which it has already
announced.
My government will presently lay before you the estimates for the
state for the present year. The product of existing imposts will
suffice to cover ordinary expenses, and being connected with the
resources which you had previously provided to meet the necessary
improvement of the public works, of the navy, and of materials of
war, it will not be necessary to call for fresh sacrifices from the
people.
The public instruction has had from my government the most constant
solicitude, and will soon attain the perfection desired if the
Cortes continues to lend its enlightened protection to this
important branch, on whose good organization depends in great part
the welfare and the glory of nations. My government will lay before
you for this purpose suitable drafts of laws.
The impulse given to the public works has contributed efficiently to
the increase of the fortune and prosperity of the country. My
government will present to the Cortes drafts of suitable laws for
promoting the construction of canals of irrigation, and for the use
and improvement of waters, which will contribute to the progress of
agriculture and industry. These interests claim the prompt
discussion of the project presented to the former legislature upon
banks of commerce and emission of notes by companies who are
grantees of public works. Projects of important laws upon
territorial credit, the organization of tribunals of commerce, and
the reform of mercantile associations of shareholders, will complete
the series of measures
[Page 481]
which my government considers necessary to the rapid increase of the
public wealth.
The prosperity of the provinces beyond sea is a constant object of my
maternal solicitude; their administrative organization improves
constantly by institutions and reforms already tried in the
peninsula, the establishment of which I have fostered, accommodating
them to the special circumstances of those people. It is to be hoped
that extraordinary accidents, which produced such great disturbance
in the industrial and mercantile relations of the whole world, may
affect only temporarily the progressive development of the great
elements of wealth they contain.
Arduous, thorny, but still grand and magnificent, is the mission of
legislators and of governments in this epoch of prodigious
transformations; vain would be the effort to fill it without the aid
of God, and without the exercise of the virtues which make a people
worthy of the blessings of liberty. By practicing them with
constancy, and united in one feeling—the common love of country—our
efforts elevating it each day in the consideration of other nations,
will conduct it free from sad revulsions, and under shelter of
constitutional institutions, to the high destinies which Providence
holds in reserve for it.
