[Untitled], January 20, 1867

[Untitled]

The Emperor has addressed the following letter to the minister of state:

Palace of the Tuilleries, January 19, 1867.

Sir: For some years past the question has been asked if our institutions have attained their limit of development, or if further improvement can be made. Hence arises an uncertainty which is much to be regretted, and which it is important should end.

Hitherto you have striven with energy in my name to reject unreasonable demands, in order that the initiative of useful reforms might be left to me when the proper time should come. I believe that it is now possible to give to the institutions of the empire all the development of which they are susceptible, to public liberty a new extension, and this without compromising the power which the nation has confided to me.

The plan which I have proposed is this: to correct the imperfections which time has revealed, and to permit such progress as is compatible with our habits and customs, for good government consists in profiting by experience and foreseeing the requirements of the future.

The decree of November 24, 1880, was designed to associate the senate and the corps législatif more closely with the policy of the government; but the discussion of the address has not led to the results which were anticipated. At times it has uselessly heated public opinion, given rise to fruitless debates, and led to the loss of time invaluable for the public business. I believe that, without lessening the prerogatives of the deliberative assemblies, we can substitute for the address the right of interrogation, wisely regulated.

Another modification has appeared necessary to me in the relations of the government to the great bodies of state. I have thought that, by deputing the ministers to attend the sessions of the senate and the corps législatif, by virtue of a special authorization to participate in certain debates, I could better use the resources of my government without violating the terms of the constitution, which permits no responsibility of ministers, but makes them entirely dependent upon the head of the state.

But the reforms which I propose to adopt do not stop here. A law will be proposed to confide solely to the court the trial of infractions of law by the press, and thus do away with the discretionary power of the government in this respect. It is equally necessary to regulate by act of legislature the right of public meeting, restricting it in such a manner as the public safety shall require.

I said last year that my government desired to advance on firm ground—firm enough to support both power and liberty. By the measures I have indicated my words will be realized. I do not disturb the ground which fifteen years of quiet and prosperity have settled, but I make it firmer by drawing closer my relations with the great public powers by securing by law new guarantees to the people, and by crowning at last the edifice erected by the national will.

I pray God to have you in his holy keeping.