File No. 850a.032.
Speech from the Throne by Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide on the occasion of her attainment of majority, June 18, 1912.
My first duty is to comply with the desire expressed in Article 5 of the Constitution:
I swear to observe the Constitution and the Laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, to maintain the national independence and the integrity of its territory, as also public and individual liberty and the rights of all and of each of my subjects, and to use for the preservation and the growth of general and private prosperity, as a good sovereign should do, all the means which the laws put at my disposal. I swear it. So help me God.
It would be assumption on my part to wish to sketch to-day the program of a whole reign; I will limit myself, gentlemen, to telling you my aspirations and my hopes.
My desire is to merit the name of a good sovereign, as expressed in the oath I have just taken. I promise to take an interest in the weal of all and to be helpful to all with kindness and benevolence. Is [Page 704] not the endeavor of the sovereign to attain to the utmost the good, the true and the beautiful the most precious jewel of his crown?
The wish to judge according to the demands of justice and equity shall inspire all my actions. The rights and well being of the country shall be my only guide. Righteous judgment means equal justice for all, especially justice which protects the humble and the feeble. The steadily increasing economic inequality between men is the serious problem of our age. Social peace, which is sought after so earnestly, remains to this day an unattained ideal. May we not hope that the consciousness of justice, which is so deeply rooted in human nature, may equalize all contrasts, and that the constantly active, eternal laws of justice may at last bring to us rest and peace?
My father wished to reign for the people and with the people. He said that hand in hand with the people we shall approach the serious problems which the future has in store for us. I assume this paternal inheritance, which involves so great a responsibility. Your enlightened patriotism will sustain me and Heaven will reward our joint endeavors.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the numerous Heads of State and the foreign Governments for their warm interest in the country and the Sovereign Family at the time of our recent affliction. We shall gratefully remember the sympathy shown us.
The Grand Duchy owes its prosperity principally to the international treaties which guarantee its independence and neutrality, but they also impose obligations on us in the interest of Europe. Our strength lies in the Right. A brotherly bond connects Right and Duty. In the frank performance of our duties we will always act in such a manner that not the least doubt as to the directness and integrity of our intentions may ever arise.
Filled with love of country, I am happy and proud to bear its name and its crown. I aspire to no other joy than to serve it always, and with your help, gentlemen, to work for its interest.
The standard of Luxemburg is placed to-day in the weak hands of a young girl. I will bear it on high unflinchingly, and with the help of God I will fight for its honor.
As a daughter of the House of Nassau, like my ancestors, I will be faithful to the noble motto of our ancient House, “Je maintiendrai!”