The Express.
London, England, 1848-03-25 00:00:00

7th of December, and found himself " safe this time." I
And this is not the time, nor are thew the cases, in
which undetected members are entitled to complain
that the law is too strong for them and for the ways
that have heretofore been pursued. It is rather matter I
for public complaint that the law is still
too stringent; that the expenses of counsel, and agents.
and witnesses are still too heavy; that the difficulty
of detection is still too great. For if it be true—and
true, we doubt not, it is—that hundreds who are
sitting undisturbed could have been turned out, if the
truth had been proved : it is manifest that electoral
corral:don, in all its shapes has not yet been put
down. It needs a simplification of the law •it needs
a less expensive tribunal ; it needs a legal chairman ;
it needs, beyond all things, an entire absence of bias
in the committee, to make more than a semblance of
purity. No man can now tell what evidence may suf-
fice to prove to each committee legal agency. Every
committee may have its fancy, its whim, or its pre-
judice. Few men will be as patriotic as the def.ated
' candidate for Bolton (Mr. littooks), and carry on a
fight to expose the system, not intending to came into
parliament fur the seat when vacated ; fewer will be
able to boast, with him, that 6911. paid every expense
of the petition in town and country; and still fewer
who will be willing to pay even that sum, mo-
derate as it may be, compared with the ex-
prmies in other cases, which may, and, as
in Lyme Regis, have, reached to several thousands.
The law indeed is stronger than it was—it is more
fairly administered—yet it is far from being strong
enough even now ; and if hon. members wish to save
their seats they must button up their pockets, and
thus slop the system which makes their returns most
questionable. Legal agents do not find their own
funds for illegal expenses. Amateurs do not treat
without a thought of repayment; and if candidates
do not pay, it will soon be discovered that no one else
will. Whether a more radical remedy might not be
found to prevent rather than puniak be ibery at elec-
tions will be a matter for future consideration.

GERMANY.

PROGRESS OF REFORM.

PRUSSIA.—The King of Prussia has published
the following important address to his people and the
German nation. In it he says that Germany is
threotehed with external danyer froth more than one
side. lie must mean from Russia. And there can
be no doubt that the Russians will now march to put
down the revolution in Cracow. The Prussian King,
therefore, insists on a German army, of which he is to
be the head, and he significantly hoists the old impe-
rial colours. The King of Prussia had better take
care, lest his anxiety for the common fatherland
might be construed into ambition and desire to re-
establish in his own favour a German empire. South
Germany would protest against this, and does, indeed,
already protest. Too much haste and eagerness on
the part of l'russia might beget civil war instead of
aunty.
The following is the monarch's proclamation :

To sty PEOPLE AND THE GERMAN NST lON.—The
King spoke with confidence to his people, five and thirty
year. ago, in days of great danger, and his confidence was
not deceived ; the King, united with his people, saved
!'russia from shame and degradation. I now again speak
with confidence—at the moment when the fatherland is in
the highest danger—to the German nation, of which my
people may with pride be reckoned the most honoured
branch. Germany ii in a state of internal fermentation, and
surrounded by external danger, from more than one aide.
Safety from trese numerous dangers can only be attained
under the direction of one, by the complete union of the
German people and princes. I now take this direction on
myself, in the day of danger. My people will not abandon
me, and Germany will join me with confidence. I have to-
day assumed the old German colours, and placed myself and
my people under the honoured banner of the German em-
pire. Prussia henceforth rises along with Germany.
The Diet called together fur the 2d of April offers itself as
the means and the legal organ by which I will proceed, with
the assistance of my people, to the salvation and pacification
of Germany. I intend to propose to the princes and chambers
of Germany to assemble ina general assembly. 'I his sell-formed
German Assembly of Stake will provide measures without
delay, and in common deliberation, to w.ird off the internal
and external dangers which beset Germany. That which is
now especially wanting is, lat. The formation of a general
?opular German Confederation. 'ldly. The declaration of
an armed neutrality. Such a preparation arid declaration on
the part of Germany will call the attention of Europe to the
holiness and inviolability of the dominion 01 the German
name and tongue. It is only unanimity and strength
that can preserve peace in our fatherland, flou-
rishing by its trade and industry. Simultaneous with the
regulations for warding off imminent danger, the Assembly
of States will consider the regeneration and foundation of a
new Germany—a unity, not a monotonous uniformity of
Germany—unity in diversity, and unity with freedom. A
general granting of real constitutional constitutions, with re-
sponsibility of ministers in all separate states, public and
oral administration of justice, equal political and civil rights,
freeistit to all religious shades of opinion, and a real popular
free administration, will alone be able to bring &taut and
strergthen suck a great and intermit unity.—Berlin, March
21.—Signed FitsnEsticte WILLIAM, Count VON Aa\lM,
Vow Rosa, Count SCHWERIN, BOItNEMANN, ARMIN,
Ii ENKE.

On the 21st also, the kin; appeared on horseback
in Palace Court. He wore the German colours on his
arms, and he was surrounded by the princes and
ministers, also wearing the German colours. He was
received with great joy by the people on his appear.
ance, and spoke as follows to the assembled crowd :
It is no usurpation on my part to feel that I am called to
save German freedom and unity I swear that it is not
my intention to dethrone any German prince ; hut I wish
to ensure the freedom and unity of Germany, which must be
guarded by German faith, and .the establishment of a con-
stitution, popular, German, and constitutional.
The King then advanced with the princes and
ministers to the Schlosaplatze, and was—says the
paper from which we quote—received with waving
of handkerchiefs and general joy, expressed in
shouts and hurrahs. Speaking to the citizens
who mounted guard, he said, " I cannot suffi-
ciently thank you for your services, believe me."
One of the assembled crowd then cried out, " Long
live the Emperor of Germany." " Not so," said the
King, "I desire no such power." The procession
then went by the statue of Blucher and down the
I inden. At the university—where three students
had brought the colours of the empire the
students, headed by their professors, the rect, r 'Mul-
ler and pro-rector `Hecker, passed before the King,
who addressed them from the monument to Frederick
the Second. Ile said he had adopted colours
which were not his alone, but he would usurp no-
thing, he wanted no crown, no tyranny. " I wish,"
he added, " for Germany's freedom, unity, and
order." " I swear " (and he raised his right hand
to Heaven), " that I have only done that which in
German history has often taken place, as did the
powerful princes and dukes of old, place myself, when
order was trodden down, banner in hand, at the head
of the entire people." These words were received
with loud cries of " Long live Frederick William." The
people waved their hats and handkerchiefs, and the ,
German colours waved triumphantly in the air.
Baron d'Armin, lute ambassador of Prussia in
Paris, has become Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count
Von Arnim remaining Minister of State, without a
portfolio. The appointment is announced in the Prox-
suitt Official Gazelle of the 22nd.
The unpopular Prince of Prussia left Berlin on the
21st, for England.
A proclamation, signed by the magistrates of Ber-
lin, states that a grand funeral ceremony will take
place for the burial of those who fell during the
disturbances. The number of dead is computed at
2,000 ; but this is probably exaggerated.
A letter from Berlin of the 20th, speaking of the
fight on the night of the 18th, says:—" The fiercest
of the fight was in the Breitenstrasee, where citizens
and students raised a barricade. Cannon from the
palace gate fired grape during the four hours from
8 o'clock till midnight on this barricade. Three
houses were stormed, and all found within them
killed. Two houses in the Friedrichastraase were

also stormed, and their inmates slain. The soldiers i
flung men and women out of the windows; 600 pri-
soners were sent to Spandau, and were much ill-
treated on the road. They returned yesterday. wild
for vengeance. I forgot to la s, the soldiers kept the
Linden clear all the time, and the Brandenburg gate.
Do not believe what you hear of joy and huzzas. The
people remained discontented, and were not satisfied
till they saw the burgher guard stand sentries at
the palace. What saved the king was his ordering
the arming of this guard. General Prittwitz and
Count Schulenberg are amongst the slain.
Our correspondent, writing from Aix-la-Chapelle,
oa the 22nd of March, nays :
" Last night and the preceding one there were I
rather serious riots in this old ex-imperial city. The
intelligence that a regular insurrection had bryken
out in Berlin, caused the greatest excitement here on
Monday evening, and thousands of persons soon as-
sembled in the main street. At nightfall, a dense
crowd proceeded to the house of the head burgo