AMERICAN CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 221, 12 July 1848, Page 3

AMERICAN CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS

The Provisional Government yesteniny received a deputation of upwards of 2S<> citizens of the United States. These gentlemen walked in procession to the Hotel do Viilr, ond amongst them was home the Amcricnn flag and that of lh« French Republic united together, and flowing I'lom the same staff. Mr. Goodrich, in the name ot his countrymen, presented the followirg address— " Gentlemen, members of the Provisional Government of the French Republic,—As citizens of tlie United States of America, and spectators of recent events in Park, we come to offer you our congratulations. A £iat< ful recollection of the past, nnd the tien of amity which have existed between your country nnd ours, prompt us to he among the first to testify to you and to the people of France the sympathy, reßpect, and admiration which these events inspire. Acknowledging the right of every nation to form its own government, we may itill be permitted to felicitate France upon the choice of a system which recognises as iti busis the great principles of rational liberty and political equality. In the progress of the recent itruggle hrre we have admired the magnanimity of the French people, their self-command in the hour of triumph, and their speedy return to order and law nfter the tumult and confusion of revolution. Wo ure in these circumstances happy omens to good lo France and to mankind, assurances that what has been bo nobly begun will be consummated in the permanent establishment of a just and liberal government, and the consequent enjoyment of liberty, peace, and prosperity among the citizens of this great country. Accept these teuimoniiils of the sentiments winch fill our hearts nt the present moment, and be assured that the newt of the revolution which you have just achieved will be hailed by our countrymen, on the other side of the Atlantic, with no oilier emotions than those of hope and joy for Franco and for the world," M. Arago replied as follows :— " Citizens of tlie United Stuteg,—We are happy to hear the expression of the sentiments which you have just manifested, and we are happy such sentiracuts proceed from the citizens of a free people. We are, above all, happy nt the manner in which you appreciate tlie ads of tlio Parisian population. You have perceived what courug« our fellow-citizens have shown on the day of combat, and what modeiation they have shown after tlio victory : you have nlso sacn with what eagerness that people, after having departed from is ordinary sphere, again placed itself under the dominion of its laws. You have justly de« lured that a people has u right to give to itself such a, government as suits ir. Look at your own flag—you behold there tliu evident proof* of your prosperity; the number of stnra which arc there displayed has been prodigiously ougmrnteil, and will bo still more so. (Bmvo, bravo!) What ban been ho great an advantage to the Amciicun population, cannot tail to bo so likewise for the Fiench people (c-lii»is). We have no doubt but your fcllowcitizcns in the United States will join the snitimentu which have brought you this day before the Piovisional Government. We have no doubt that fiCßh applause will also bn given there to the valiant poftiljtion ot L'aiU. (We can answer for that.) Gentlemen, (he piaycr that we offer up, and which will be icalihcil, is to see the American nation and the French nation living in the moßt intimate union. (Loud cheering). There is no motive of difference between you and us, once that we are established as a rrpublic, and that we advance in the republic path of liberty, equality, and fraternity. lam convinced that the two nations will be united, as are the two colour* which you there bear amongst you. * Vive la Rrpubhqut.' (The cry was three times repeated by the deputation.)" One of the American gentlemen then said — " The Americans here present request you to accept those two flags united —they arc the eternal emblem of the alliance between France and the United States of North America." (The members of the deputation— • We swear it by our blood !') M. Arngo — "We receive the colour with gratitude. It shall be placed in the Hotel de Ville; and I trust that never will despotism attempt to snatch it thence (loud applause)." The double flag was then placed in the Salle dcs Reccptioni. The deputation then withdrew amidst reiterated cries of " Vive la Republique."