No. 436.
Mr. Andrews to Mr. Fish.
Stockholm, January 18, 1872. (Received February 17.)
Sir: The regular session of the Diet was opened, with the usual ceremonies, yesterday.
The royal speech, read by the King, expresses the purpose not to submit any plan for the re-organization of the army; it being thought further time is required to reconcile the conflicting opinions which exist on that subject. It says the good harvests of the last few years and the industries of the country have exerted a more favorable influence on the finances than was expected, and that consequently propositions will be submitted for some reduction of taxes. I inclose the speech in French. The following passage occurs in the address to the King by the presiding officer of the Second Chamber:
A century will in a few months have passed since Gustaf the Third, with sure hand, restored the long-displaced balance between the two powers on which, in a constitutional state, authority is divided. The Second Chamber will, for its part, never forget the instruction of that historical event, nor the demands of the present. It is equally important for the conservation of the justice of the Crown, as of its legal liberty that it shall, without being misled by false ideas of society, which promise much happiness and breed much misery, endeavor in all its work to be worthy the Swedish name.
I am, &c.,