The Express.
London, England, 1863-09-05 00:00:00

THE FRANKFORT CONGRESS.

(MON ODA OWN

FRANKFORT, Ster. 3.

The cocked hats, the gaedy dresses, and the
big footman are gone, and this good old town ,
resumes its customary oommercial appearance again.
The Emperor left this morning, at 5 o'clock, for
Coburg. Yesterday he bestowed most liberal pre'
rents--tinge, with precious stones, &c.—to all who
bad rendered any service to him or his suite. Some
of the senators and military commanders were gre-
tided with orders, and two members of the Senatorial ,
Committee have been created baronet'. One of them,
Dr. Muller, the burgomaster for the present year, had
the good sense to refuse a title, which did not ;
appear to him compatible with his position as obief
magistrate of a small republic. In the:last sitting
of the Congress the Reform Act was signed by
twenty-one prisms and the burgomasters of the
four free towns. Baden, Weimar, and Mecklen-
burg, near relativesof the Prussian King, together
with Waldeck and Altenburg, opposed. The I
points reserved for the ministerial deliberations
were gdoptad as btos, se that no further tee-
' ferenoes are requited. The Emperor then doled
the Congress with a speech, the substance of which
has no doubt already reached you by telegraph.
Before separating, the Princes addressed a joßit
letter to the King of Prussia, containing the dis-
cussions and resolutions of the Congress. The
town is very full of anecdotes respecting the Princes.
It appears that many of them were very dull in
comprehending the questions under discursion, and
that they busily occupied themselves in making
notes, with the view of baring the matter explained
at home by their ministers. Others at all events
did not shine by their eloquence, and the Elector was
significantly dumb, failing in his attempts to make
softie remarks. The most gifted were the Emperor, and
the. Dace of Baden, Weimar, and Oldenburg ;
the' King of Saxony was the most useful, by
his talent in smoothing over difficulties ; and the
/Mg of Bavaria certainly was one of the most
honest and beet intentioned. The Duke of
Coburg was, as he always has been, the con-
necting link between princes and people. The
!write of the resolutions will now be fully discussed
by the organs of the diffiirent parties, but the
Austrians, by overshooting the mark, begin already
to damage their cause.

(foil •

Perhaps the most sensible part played at the
Frankfort Congress of Princes his been that of the
Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Goths. His Highness resisted
most energetically the scheme of a Chamber of
Delegates chosen by the existing Legislatures of
Germany. He demanded one by direct election.
This negatived, he proposed a Lower Chamber, of
which one-half should proceed front direct election.
Disappointed again, the Duke of Gotha did DO4
like his brothers at Baden or el Weimar (of
whom I would speak with the .greatest respect),
abandon himself to despair, and eentinue to resist
the Austrian project in tote. Re was for ac-
()opting all that Austria would give, and the
Kings support, that is, a German Parliament, of
any kind, and at any oast, "for' eves one voice
" raised in a German Parliament would be an
" inappreciable gain."
The realization of this humble wish is, how-
ever, far from assured. What the Emperor of
Austria chiefly aimed at, besides the popularity of
the scheme, was his own Presidency of the Fede-
ral Executive. But the formation of the Executive
itself seems an Herculean labour. How satisfy all
parties and pretensions, those of Prussia included ?
At first the proposal was for five ruling members.
This has been extended first to six, and then to
seven. It may be doubted whether the one number
can satisfy pretensions more than the other, and
whether such a German Executive, however
constituted, could work. It was proposed,
for example, that the question of peace or war for
Germany should be decided by a majority. Sup-
pose an Executive of mixorof seven, in which Austria
or Prussia, or both together, are in a minority on
the peace or war question. Does any one imagine
that such a decision could be carried out ? Discuss,
legislate, unite as one may in Germany, Austria,
and Prussia will still have different policies,
different alliances, and divergent aims.
Nor will sticking them in a Council or in a Bund
together in the least remedy or counteract this.
The utmost that could be expected between them
is an agreement ad hoc, solely for purposes
lof defence. No laws could bind such States
" Austria or i':ussia never to engage in a policy
or a war of offence. mot surel.: they cannot ex-
pact to drag Germany with them. Stttiptde en'-
trig undertakes to reconquer Italy, gets /lava&
and another member of the Federal Executive to
support her : is Prussia to be obliged, or can she
be obliged, to levy war upon Victor Emmanuel
for purely Austrian interests ? Impossible.
The Goths party, at least those friends of the
Duke of Gotha who support his actual line of
conduct, say, Let us have a German Parliament,
and it will soon put the Executive to rights. The
Federal Executive could certainly not attempt to
solve so great a question as that of war or peace
without consulting the German Parliament, which,
with the great public behind it, would be strong
enough to overcome the reluctance or ill-will of
either of the great Powers.
The large body of the liberals would be glad to
Ibe l persuaded of this. But when they contem-
plate an Executive, with Austria and Bavaria
predominating, an Upper Chamber of Princes, and
a Lower Chamber, in which princely and aristo-
cratic influence predominate, they cannot see
in a Parlitinent and a government of this kind
any prospect of the great and absolute
Conde being either controlled by public opinion or
influenced by the Assembly. Were this body
elected directly by the people it might be other-
' wise. But without this power derived from the
popular origin of the German Parliament, it would
never prove able to resist the powers from above,
and might become an instrument to enforce their
ambition and their absolutism. This is the opinion
not merely of obscure democrats, but of so eminent
and enlightened a man as the Baron Von Roggen-
bitch, Foreign Minister of Baden.
It is not for us strangers to pronounce judg-
ment between conflicting opinions, all equally
honest, liberal, and patriotic. But admitting the
justice of the fears entertained by the Baden elides-
men, it must be taken into account that to act
upon those fears and reject altogether the Austrian
offer leads to an absolute suspension of all pro-
gress, and what the French call "a halt in the
" mud." Whereas, following the Gotha counsel
may lead to something, and must at least show
where lie the true obstacles to German liberty and
union.

It is worthy of remark that in the pamphlet,
attributed erroneously to the Duke of Gotha,
but oertainly written by some one of his way of
thinking, it is taken for granted that Prussia
cannot refuse participation in the scheme
propounded at Frankfort, provided it pro-
ceed. Proud* certainly would dislike a
German Parliament of any kind at the pre-
sent moment, especially one of which the ma-
jority should be formed by the separate govern-
ments, as such an Assembly might be dads a
powerful intrument to obstruct the reconstitution
of the Zollverein, which must be done in 1864.
Pnunia, moreover, would never consent to be put
on a par with Bavaria in the Federal Executive.
Bat the Federal Executive is oos thing, and the
German Pediment another. Prussia might se-
' cept the latter, and present its own plan for an
Executive. But why have an Executive at all,
except for the form ? The Swiss Confederation
may be said to have no Executive. The office of
President of the Government is assumed by three
of the Council, each in his turn, the Federal Council
tref forming the Executive. They have not
shown the want of either efficiency, unanimity,
or vigour, whenever they were required. /he Ms
lasessited Baron Bunsen considered the form of the
Swim Executive the best that could be adopted for
Ganneny. The wonder is that nobody has repro-
dosed lie. opinion.
It will be comical if, whilst the Germans
Him chaffering about a constitution, the
lannian Emperor should promulgate one.
ilt was long since proposed by the Grand Duke
I Constantine, and is the very scheme of his friends
Valoniez and Golownin, whom be introduced
into the government. His summons to St. Peters-
burg cannot be unconnected with it. What can the
poor King of Prussia do with Constitutions starting
up on every side of him, whilst be merely persists in
sitting upon and smothering his own? The atti-
tude is too ludicrous, as well as too criminal, to
be persevered in. The bruited allience of Prussia
with France and with Russia, however it might
strengthen William I. in the politics of Europe,
would but weaken and degrade him still more in
Germany. The obloquy he would encounter
might be so great as even to mar what was bevel
ficial in his scheme, viz., the plan of commercial
union. Yet his Majesty seems inclined to risk al
for Bismarck.

THE POFE'S INCYCLICAL LEITIOL—Tbe Tempo
of yesterday says :—" We lad in the Arireeleinot eternal
Tarim journal, the new encyclical letter that Pins LE. her
just addressed to the superior Italian clergy ; but we think
lt would be useless to reproduce this dimmest, which is
very long, and which is in no way distiogniabed from the
customary masifestetioss of the court of Rome. It is
always the same complains as the 'abject of the prepay,
; ties of the mod monstrous and the most horrible errors, sad
aging the inagesisg and abominable flood of every kind
• vies and wickedeens ;" the seam invectives against the
world in moral, and the Italian goverment in partook,.
It had been antsonoesd that the encyclical letter denounced
" &Grim-liberal" toodencies, end it was supposed that eer-
rain speeches at the Haloes Conran were alluded to. Bet
there is nothing of the kind ; the pomp cited refers to that
part of the inferior Italian clergy which has joined the or.
Ronal movement. The encyclical letter does not appear. let
us add, to expect the reconciliation of the world sod the
Mundt except by woos of a miracle, and leaves completely
ea one side the MUM of their separation, which it depletes
and nib sigma.
DESPATCH OF THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAHAL
The Peninsular and Oriental Compsey's ideamsbip Ripon,
Captain Christian, sailed from Southampton yestenlay with
the mails for Gibraltar, the Yediterramea, Egypt, Aden,
Ceylon, India (except Bombay), and Chins, together with
60 first and 40 locoed clam passengers. The Ripon took oat
on freight 656 pease' of specie, value 142,7634 lbe. Bd.,
for the following pone, viz. :—Alezandrie : sovereigns,
4,0001. ; watches, 2604 ; Madras : gold coin, 15211. 10s. ; of
gold thread, ha., 4331. ; Calcutta : medals, lee., 10,8004 ;
jewellery, he., 1,7934 es. ; sovereigns 2,0004 ; ?maw :
dollars, 16,3201. ; gold Weed, 1754 ; Simmer*: dollars,
18,1664 ; gold coin, 9651. ; Hoeg Kong : dollars. 66,8204 ;
gold three 4 jewellery, ke., 9234; and foe Shanghai:
dollars, 19,7304 ; end jewellery, 4501. The Repo° also took
outs full cargo of emend merchandise.
THE WEECE Of THE BARON OaT STEAM VE38,1.
—The Barra 40sy•, passenger steam vessel, belonging to the
Antwerp Steam Navigatioe Company, which was wrecked in
the Thames at Limeboom Beach on Thursday afternoon, is
now entirely under water, with the exception of her masts
and the top portion of her funnel. Lights are displayed on
her roasts after dark, to prevent accidents to the navigattoe,
as the wreck ball settld 111 a very awkward position almost
is the middle of the stream. It will be • work of coosider.
able difficulty and expense to raise the wreck, which is now
guarded by the Thames Police.
THE Duns= tx Intircenrititz„—The Mansion-
house Committee bald their meeting yesterday at the
Ilitastes•honse, under the presideney of William Cabin,
Esq., H.P., and Meares. Armitage, Barber, Lyostt, Defter
roglue, and Gibbs were present. The amount received rm
to Thursday was 510,7706 9s. tid., of which 440,497/. 12s. 7d.
had beenaleeady remitted for distribution to the distressed
districts. The sum received during the past fortnight wee
1,5591. I.s. 52., of which 341.17 e. 103. was received from
home, and 1,5241. 3a. 7d. from colonial resources. The fol-
lowing are the grants which were made y_seterday :—Ashton-
eedep.Lyibe. 1.0001. ; Freitag, 4004 ; Wigan, 3001.; Stook.
port, 250 ; Hyde, 2001. ; rtntrrietit, 19W, ; Bohm, 1501,;
UAL ; managen and merloolten of Alibied, 00/. ;
overlookers, 734 ; Oldham overlookers, 701. •
Blackburn 701. ; Stockport overlookers, 701.
Whitworth and a.-- "hadderton, 501. • Stociv-"
Mottrani, 501. ; St. Maltheor. '
501. ; Charley, 506 ; Hyde oreacolers, ; 401. ;
Wooobill and Barra, 35/. ; Maple, 361. ; Newclurcll in
Romeedale, 304 ; Bury overlookers 301. ; Stockport book-
keepers, Ito., 264 ; Farringtoo, 254. ; limeade°, 204 ; With.
nal4 201. ; Ronde, overlookers. 201.: Burnley managers,
204 ; Hollinwood, 15k ; Brindle. 154 ; Harwood, 104 ;
Offence, 101.—toeking a total of 3,5164
Fkoll THE CONFEDERATE TO THE FEDERAL
Case.—At 3 p.m. we drove up in front of the door of ,
General Kelly's quarters, and to my gummier, relief 1 soon
discovered that be was a gentleman. I then explained to
him the whole truth, coooraling nothing. I said I was •
British officer oa leave of absence, travelling for my own
instruction ; that 1 had been all the way to Mexico, and
entered the Southern States by the Rio Grande, for the
express purpose of not breaking any legally esta-
blished blockade. 1 told bins I led visited all the
Southern armies is Misrissippi, Teseensee, Charleston, and
Virginia, seen the late campaign as General Looptreet's
guest, but had in no way entered the Confederate service.
I also gave him my word that I had not got iu my par
man any letters, either public or private, from any pen
son in the South to any person say where else. I showed
ham my British passport and Gamest Lee's pass se •
British officer; and I explained that my only object in
coming North was to return to England in time for the
expiration of my lave; and I ended by expressing a hope
that he would make my detention as short as possible.
After considering a short time, he said that be would
certainly allow me to go on, but that he could not allow
my driver to go back. I felt homeosely relieved at the
&Mitre, but the countemeee of my companies lengthened
considerably. It was, however, settled that he should take
me on to Cumberland, and Geoeral Kelly good-naturedly
promised to do what he could for him on his return.
Gwent Kelly then asked me in an off. Mod manner whe-
ther all General Lee's army was at Hagerstown ; but 1 re-
plied, laughing, " You of course understand, general, that.
baring got that pass from General Les, I am bound by
every principle of honour not to give you any information
which an be of advantage to you." He laughed, and
promised not to ask me any more questions of that sort.
He then sent his aidisde.camp with toe to the coyest-
marshal, wbo immediately gave me a pus fat Camberlsd.
On my return to the general's, 1 discovered the perfidious
driver (that zealous Southern of • few hours previous) bard
at work cormunicatiog to General Kelly all he knew, and
a great dial more besides; but, from what I heard, I don't
think his information was very valuable. I was treated by
General Kelly and all his officers with the greatest good
nature and courtesy, although I had certainly come anoraj
them ender circumstances auspicious, to gay the kest. I
;tatter sorry that they should be opposed to my Souther*
aid I regretted still more that they should be
obliged to serve with or trader a Butler, a Milroy, or men
a Hooker. I took leave of them at six o clock, and 1 Oka
truly lay that &be only Federal officers 1 bays ever come is
moiled with were gentlemen. —Blarkirood's Magazine for
September.