Mr. Yeaman to Mr
Seward.
No. 41.]
Legation of the United States,
Copenhagen,
November 13, 1866.
Sir: Yesterday the first Danish Rigsraad under
the new constitution was opened by the King—the two houses, the
Landsthing and the Folkething, meeting in joint session for that
purpose. As the King and his ministers entered the hall the members rose
and greeted his Majesty with nine cheers; they
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remained standing while he read his opening
speech, and greeted him with the same number of cheers as he
retired.
I observed with surprise that of the members of the Folkething, a large
number, possibly a majority, were laboring men. The fact of their being
sturdy, industrious, domestic men, was quite apparent as they entered
the hall, and I was so much struck by their appearance that I inquired
if they were members, and was told they were, and that they were small
farmers who worked their own land with their own hands; and my
informant, himself a member for the city, added that many of them were
good speakers. The proportion of such men is far greater than in the
House of Representatives of the United States, and I think quite as
large as I ever saw in a State legislature. This fact needs no comment
to discover its healthy and hopeful indication. To my mind it was a most
grateful spectacle, as an evidence of the ennobling tendency of
constitutional government. You have observed, by the synopsis of the new
Danish constitution which I have already furnished the department, how
nearly universal suffrage is here.
To-day the minister of foreign affairs has kindly sent me a copy, printed
in French, of the King’s opening speech. It appears to be a fair and
frank statement of the condition and prospects of Denmark, and supposing
it a matter of interest to my own government. I have the honor herewith
to enclose a translation.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of state, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Speech of the King of Denmark in opening the
Rigsraag on the 12th day of
November, 1866.
To-day the Danish Rigsraag assembles for the first time after the
definitive solution of the constitutional question. We will nourish
the firm hope that its labors will bear such fruits for Denmark, and
that, united in a common love of country, you will concentrate all
your efforts towards a single end, that of consolidating the state
and assuring its future, as well external as internal.
Our well-beloved daughter, the Princess Dagmar, has united herself by
the ties of marriage with the heir of the throne of the Russian
empire. The cordial sympathies which our daughter has received, as
indelible proofs, in quitting Denmark, testify the lively part taken
by our faithful people in the joy which that alliance has caused us,
and we have a consolation in the midst of our regrets. We are
convinced that our Rigsraad will vote with readiness the estimate
that will be asked for on account of the outfit (trousseau) and
dowry of our daughter.
Grave events have changed the political situation in the centre of
Europe. Without having had to suffer the misfortune of war, Denmark
has, however, been interested in these results. Prussia, at the same
time that she has united north Germany under her direction, has
engaged by the peace of Prague to retrocede to Denmark the north of
Schleswig, if the people express a desire for it by a vote freely
given. That clause has not yet been executed, but the terms of the
treaty, and the natural character (principles) which have assumed
the form of a European policy, are a guarantee to us that we will
obtain equally the frontiers which are natural to our people and
necessary for the security of our state. That is an end towards
which, since the conclusion of the peace of Vienna, we have not
ceased to turn our hopes, and the justice of which disinterested
friendly powers have for a long time recognized, particularly the
Emperor of the French, with a zeal that we profoundly appreciate. In
reunion with the faithful Danes of north Schleswig, we see the
accomplishment of an act of justice towards them and to the Danish
nationality, and we hail it at the same time with joy as a pledge of
the intention of our powerful neighbor to establish relations with
Denmark upon the basis of a sincere and durable friendship.
The wars of late years have shown anew how much the independence of a
state may depend upon the degree of development and solidity which
it gives during peace to its means of defence. A new organization of
the army and fleet, in harmony with the means of the country, is now
also an urgent necessity for us, and a project of a law relative
thereto will be presented as soon as possible to the Rigsraad when
the commission appointed by us at the
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commencement of this year shall have
terminated their labors. It is not less important that our army be
furnished with arms of a new construction, and answering to modern
exigencies. We recommend especially to the attention of the Rigsraad
the projects which will be submitted to it in regard to that
matter.
Our settlement with the duchies (liquidation)
has terminated in all that is essential. The financial situation of
the country does not give occasion for any solicitude; but, on
account of the extraordinary estimates which our government regarded
as its imperious duty to ask for the defence of the country, there
will be proposed means for augmenting the receipts of the state.
There will also be presented to the Rigsraad the project of an
electoral law, which will deviate as little as possible from those
which have been in vigor up to the present time, as well as several
projects of laws having for their object the extension of the
authority and independence of the communes.
For the realization of these plans we rely upon the energetic and
enlightened co-operation of the Rigsraad. We pray the Almighty that
he may bless your labors, and turn them to the profit of the country
and of the people. Upon this we declare the ordinary session of the
Rigsraad opened.
