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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

observance of Our laws shall continue to the remotest ages of time.

We will thereby give greater firmness to the stability of Our country, and promote the welfare of all the people within the boundaries of our dominions; and We now establish the Imperial House Law and the Constitution. These laws are really only an exposition of the grand precepts for the conduct of the government bequeathed by the Imperial Founder of Our House and by Our other Imperial ancestors. That We have been so fortunate in Our reign in keeping up with the tendency of the times as to accomplish this work We owe to the glorious spirits of the Imperial Founder of Our House and to Our other Imperial ancestors.

We now reverently make Our prayer to them and to Our Illustrious Father, and implore the help of their sacred spirits, and make to them solemn oath never at this time nor in the future to fail to be an example to Our subjects in the observance of the laws hereby established.

May the heavenly spirits witness this Our solemn oath!

Imperial Address to the Assembled Diet on its First Opening (November 29, 1890).

We announce to the members of the House of Peers, and to those of the House of Representatives:

That all institutions relating to internal administration, established during the period of twenty years since Our accession to the Throne, have been brought to a state approaching completion and regular arrangement. By the efficacy of the virtues of Our ancestors, and in concert with yourselves, We hope to continue and extend those measures, to reap good fruits from the working of the Constitution, and thereby to manifest, both at home and abroad, the glory of Our country and the loyal and enterprising character of Our people.

We have always cherished a resolve to maintain friendly relations with other countries, to develop commerce, and to extend the prestige of Our land. Happily, Our relations with all the treaty Powers are on a footing of constantly growing amity and intimacy.

In order to preserve tranquillity at home and security abroad, it is essential that the completion of Our naval and military defences should be made the object for gradual attainment, We shall direct Our Minister of State to submit to the Diet the Budget for the 24th year of Meiji, and certain projects of laws. We expect that you will deliberate and advise upon them with impartiality and discretion, and We trust that you will establish such precedents as may serve for future guidance.

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