The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-26 00:00:00

strength or security in so much as comes to notice
in the position of the Prussian rulers. Since
the outset of the unfortunate Denish affair
there has been one report after another
relative to doubts difficulties, and disturb-
inces in the smaller principalities and middle
States of Germany. Whether from a prescient
sense of danger in perspective, from a jealous no-
tion of slighted interests, or from a desire to take
advantage of a change of effairs, or from all three
ideas combined, it is certain that a moat uneasy sen.
sation has prevailed and is prevailing in these small
States. No doubt a keen sense of disappointment
must be felt by them in regard to the failure of the
plans set on foot last year to establish their inde-
pendence and to render their position more secure
in strength and elevated in dignity. Little did
they foresee, when they so eagerly hailed the meet•
ing at Frankfort, the doom that was hanging over
them and closing in dark shadows around. It must
by this time, however, have become impossible for
the most sanguine or short Righted discerner of
events not to mark the peril which surrounds these
principalities, and regard the coming struggle as
those do who know that on the issues wait freedom
or extinction. Wisdom has little or nothing to do
with the councils of Russia, and Austria seems to
share the delusion of fatuiats to a c nsiderable ex-
tent. In short, both nations appear to illustrate
most effectually the truth of the portentous adage,
" Quem Deus vult perdere prim dementat" :n their
thoughts, words, and deeds. How much more pru-
dent and politic it would have been to have endeae
voured to conciliate the smaller States instead of
treating them with undisguised contempt, covert
sneers, and latterly such open defiance. What a
spectacle does Germany now present to the eyes of
observant beholders, rent with factions, and torn by
internal divisions. It is indeed enough to point a
moral, if not to adorn a tale. It exhibits to the
world a powerfal instance of the insufficiency of
schemes which are only devised by greed and pro-
pelled by deceit. The Conference at Bamberg is
very significant just now, and affords us a striking
proof of how far matters have progressed. It is
sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to separate
the real from the apparent in cases of rumoured
disagreements, and he must be a cute observer who
can tell where exaggeration ends and truth
begins, but it cannot be doubted for a moment in
this instance that great events are on the gale, and
that all must prepare for a storm who are mixed np
and interested in German affairs. The proposal
to divide Germany into three Powers—Austria,
Prussia, and the Middle States—seems a very fair
and desirable one, and it is to be hoped that there
will be a chance of the project being put into exe-
cution ; but, of course, many obstacles will be in the
way, and various hindrances obtrude themselves.
It is not to be supposed that Prussia will quietly
acquiesce in the formation of these plans, but it has
yet to be shown if her opposition will succeed in
preventing this independent arrangement. The
very heat and virulence which Herr VON BISMARK
has displayed in his late communications to the
offending principalities have been weapons against
him, and greatly militated against the prospect of
a satisfactory settlement, and an adjustment of dis-
puted points. It is evident at this time that the
prevailing notion and deep-laid policy of Prussia
has been to monopolise all power and gradually to
take possession of these States to swell the list of
her territories, and augment the grandeur and
greatness of the Court of Berlin. We have yet to
learn whether the wily course of proceedings which
has distinguished Herr YON BISMARK'S career will
succeed, but if they do it will only be a temporary
triumph, and by no means un fait accompli that we
behold. This generation will not pass away and
leave German affairs in their present position ; all
tends to show the contrary. Those who have so
ardently promulgated the doctrines of peace at the
price of honoar, the expense of truth, and the sac-
rifice of right, will find out their mistake too late,
and at all events others will find it out for them.
Had a wise course of policy been pursued, and a
firm tone been adopted in dealing with the German
Powers, Prussia in particular, they would never
have came to such a pass, but the tame and timorous
plans so much in favour at headquarters have ruined
many, and been provocative of peril to those that
they affected to serve. It would have been 'the
best service to have rendered Prussia to have
checked her procedure in the mischievous course in
which she has embarked, and to have pointed out
the way to safer and more honourable pursuits if
she sought an increase of power and position.
With the plea and the pretext of this Danish war
the Cabinet of Berlin has sedulously continued to
do a great deal, and now these small States are to
be next victims. Before, however, they are offered
up as the new holocaust to the ambition of Prussian
rule, they will make a desperate stand for their
defence, and it will be no easy matter to circumvent
them. It may well be asked what is the object of
all this manoeuvring on one hand, and machinations
on the other ? Some nations that at the com-
mencement of the century were far in-
ferior to the German States in position
and opportunities, have now put themselves
in a much more desirable condition than any that
is presented by the once vaunted Germanic Powers,
but a lessen may be learned from their disgraceful
and deplorable condition, and a warning is held out
to those who allow their golden opportunities to
slip by, and thus what should be their advantage
becomes to them foolishness and stumbling-blocks.

The remedy of abuses is probably a very slow
;awe, but It might have been expected that in a

country like our' own, a source of public danger and
annoyance would be immediately inquired into
and the risk removt.ld as far as possible; more
especially when the daL,ger referred to particularly
affects that class of interests which are so power.
fully represented in Elgland—those who from
commercial or other reas ens are in the habit of
trus jug if•: and propetty o tad care f t' e
Yet luerecltb.o ab 1,4 e Le,, m,y Deem a gLtat and
recognised danger has been allowed to remain in
eaistenve, in spite, not only of argument and roe