ADDRESS

From Agepedia

ADDRESS. In modern times, importance has been given to the manifestation of public opinion to the sovereign, in the form of addresses; and governments, in difficult emergencies, have in turn addressed the people. A communication from the rulers to the citizens is called a proclamation. In France only, at the time when the sovereignty of the people was acknowledged, the higher authorities sent addresses to the people. An address is essentially different from a petition, since it contains only an expression of thanks, satisfaction or dissatisfaction, communicates information, justifies measures, &c. This practice owes its origin to the British parliament, which is accustomed to answer the king's speeches, delivered at the commencement and close of each session, by a public acknowledgment of the obligations of the nation. The same custom is adopted by the congress of the United States. (See Jefferson's Manual of Parliamentary Practice.) The constitutions of the several German states grant this right in a very limited sense. In Wurtemberg, it has been declared unconstitutional, in reference to the army, and in Bavaria, the estates have only the right of transmitting petitions to the king, and of complaining against the ministers of state. The right of the citizens, in associations or otherwise, to present addresses, is connected with the right of complaining, convoking assemblies and signing in a body. It is obvious, that addresses of thanks and satisfaction, like those with which Napoleon was so much pleased, are of importance only in case the expression of public opinion is free.