The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-27 00:00:00

SWITZERLAND.

A letter from Geneva, of the 13th inst, gives the
particulars of a patriotic dinner in that town the
previous day. The old General Dufour was present,
together with the Councillor of State Tourte, and
the new Citizen of Geneva, General Klapka. Among
the numerous toasts proposed was ono to General
Dufour, whose speech was listened to in religious
silence. The illustrious veteran, visibly affected,
appeared young again, such was the energy of his
language. He said that he had worn the uniform
of officer during 50 years, and that of federal
officer for 40 years, " but on all occasions like the
present," said he—
"My heart grows young notwithstanding my age, of which
I begin to feel the weight. lam old and declining, but if
the country calls me I will not for an instant hesitate to enter
on a campaign with my fellow citims —perhaps we may
meet again very soon on the field of battle."
He then alluded to the threats used against the
Helvetic Confederation, and he added, " but we
shall not be discouraged ; on the contrary, we will
face them.' He then spoke of the Federal troops
and of the patriotic spirit which animates the Swiss
people. In conclusion, he repeated,—
lam at their orders. lam entirely at the disposal of
my country, and I know and feel: that the day is not far
off when my career will terminate.
M. Empleyaz proposed a toast to General Klapka,
who replied by bowing to the Federal flag.
The Ticino Gazette publishes the following tele
graphic despatch, dated Berne, 20th December :
The Federal Council haS commanded that the entire
federal active army of reserve shall be called out. Two
divisions, under Colonels Bourgeois and Ziegler, are called
into immediate service. Colonels Dufour, Ziegler, Esloff,
Kurtz, Bourgeois, Voillon, Salis, Fisher, Sthelig, Dola-
ragsaz, and Linden, are summoned to compose a council
of war.
Lieutenant Colonel Philippin and Major Hen-
riod are organising a civic guard at Neufchatel
A letter from Bellinzona, of the 10th inst., states
that the threats of the King of Prussia instead of
intimidating the Swiss bad exasperated them.
The citizens are agitating, the old Helvetic blood
is boiling, and the descendants of those who put
to flight Charles Duke of Burgundy are not dis-
posed to be dictated to by anybody. " The King
of Prussia," adds the writer of the letter, " will
find no sympathy among the Swiss. When the
day of danger arrives, the people will have but one
heart and one determination."
The following is a report of the debate which
took place in the Grand Council of Berne, previous
to that body having unanimously voted a credit
for completing the military preparations of their
canton :
M. Migy. Vice-President of the Executive Council.—
I do not believe it necessary to narrate on this occasion
the events of September at Neuchatel. At present things
have arrived at such a point that diplomatic relations
between Switzerland and Prussia have been broken off,
and that the Federal Council has already taken measures
of the highest importance. It is not for this assembly—it
is not for the canton of Berne to decide the question of
peace or war; the right to do so belongs to the Federal
Assembly, which will meet within a few days. Whatever
it may decide, we will adhere to; Berne will stand by the
whole Confederation. It is on acconnt of war being
possible that I come in the name of the Executive Council
to apply for an unlimited credit, in order to complete the
effective force and stores of our army. In granting this
credit, the Grand Council of the canton of Berne will give
the Confederation the best proof of the active participation
which it is determined to take in this question, which is of
general interest for all Switzerland ; it will show that it is
firmly decided to maintain the rights of the Confederation
against any external encroachment. The Federal Assem-
bly has unanimously approved of the measures taken and
to be taken by the Federal Council in the affair of
Neufchatel; let us also be unanimous, and let no false
ideas of economy influence us.
11. Steiner, Military Director.—The question which we
discuss ;is of urgent importance. Prusia has interrupted
her diplomatic relations with us, and the news of each day
iuforms us that she is actively carrying on her warlike pre-
parations against Switzerland. The Federal Council has
directed all the CantonQ to keep the three divisions ready
to march. I believe that we may await the dec;sions of the
Federal Assembly with full confidence. We shall soon
learn all the steps that the Federal Council has taken to
maintain peace. We shall even see that it has gone so far
as to offer to abandon the trial of the prisoners, if the King
on his part will consent to the sacrifices which Switzerland
must necessarily demand. But the King requires that
Switzerland shall release the prisoners without any sort of
conditions, and thereby admit herself to be in the wrong ;
bnt Switzerland cannot consent to that course. In reading
the history of our country we see that the situation is not
new; it has more than once arisen in the course of our
history, and our ancestors have traced out to us the path
we have to follow. As long as it was possible, they
preferred peace to war, but when war was necessary they
never flinched from it. That is why I also support the
application for an unlimited credit.
M. Feuter, Director of Finances.—l must admit here that
in the deliberations of the Executive Council I wished the
amount of the credit to be fixed, but on seeing the unani-
mity of the Couacil, I, without hesitation, withdraw my
motion. It is true that the greater part of the Swiss popu-
lation would see with pleasure the affair peaceably arranged,
as soon as peace can be obtained honourably, but only on
that condition. During eight years the new Federal Con-
stitution has existed in peace and quietness ; partial reforms,
and even complete changes in the governments of different
cantons have been peaceably effected. All at once a man,
who long resided in the canton of Neufchatel, and who by
his character is most estimable and most noble—a man who
was the providence of the whole country in which he
resided—came, like a thunderbolt in a serene sky, and
precipitated us and himself into incalculable woe. But
we are not now called on to discuss political opinions—
we have to obey the appeal of the Confederation. I declare,
therefore, that I am in favour of the unanimous adoption
of the proposition of the Government.
The , Paris papers publish the following tele-
graphic despatches :
" FRANKFORT, DEc. 24.
The Journal de Frankfort of this day has received the
following from Berne, dated the 23d :
The project of accommodation between Switzerland
and Prussia by diplomatic intervention has failed. The
situation is serious. Switzerland is perfectly calm.
The government of Berne has issued a proclamation.
The preparations for war are going on throughout the
whole of Switzerland.'
Another despatch, dated Frankfort, 23rd inst.,
says :
Prussia has asked permission for the passage of her
troops on the 15th Febivary.'" [The despatch omits to
say through whose territory.]