The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-07 00:00:00

TIM SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVE.NING, SEPTEMBER 7, ISM.

to this very knowledge, and there is probably a
good deal of truth in his distinction. It is a lesson
which some of our statesmen of the present day
would do well to learn if they would reconcile
power and popularity—independent action with
constitutional government.

not The
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intended as a very clever move at this precise junc-
ture, but it is most likely thof theatitwdielelrfeaeilarine realis-
ingthem its object. The w
selves sufficiently explanatory. It is said that by
virtue of an article of the constitution, and on the
proposition
of thei s
doubtless Ministry
the secret
ofSt ate, the
of dissolutiont h
etrans-
action.
takes place.
elt
The Ministers have advised the'adoption
ofthe
p
plan, and the KING is shortsighted enough to
sanction their proposal. The Ministry is intrusted
with the execution of the present decree, and they
are sure to carry out the project with zeal, as it is
entirely their own notion, and so fully coincides
with their own views. The Ministerial report
which precedes the decree is sufficiently arrogant
and prejudiced to emanate from such statesmen as
the present Prussian Ministers have shown them-
selves to be. It commences by stating that " there
is no prospect that further negotiations with the
present Chamber of Deputies would lead to any
understanding." This is very likely so far true,
but whose fault is it. Had not the Ministers thrown
every obstacle in the way of all liberal mea-
sures there would net have been any of those
awkward disagreements between the advisers of
' the Crown and the popular representatives.
They also refused to listen to any representation
on the part of those who felt themselves
so cruelly aggrieved. Every opportunity was
seized to take umbrage at the conduct of the depu-
ties, and every advantage was (taken of circum-
stances to make all things suit the views of des-
potism. The state of things in Prussia, it is said,
"has not offered any ground for a change in the
propositions of the Ministry which his MAJESTY
had approved. So far as public opinion has
been expressed throughout the country, it has
gone direct against the policy of the Government,
indeed, in many instances, addresses were made,
and remonstrances urged against the late vio-
lent measures which were emphatically denounced
as unconstitutional. The next paragraph refers to
the outward condition of affairs. " Tendencies
have manifested themselves within the limits of the
German Federal Constitution, the evident aim of
which is to reduce Prussia from that position as a
great Power in Germany and Europe, which is her
well-earned inheritance from our forefathers, and
which the Prussian people has at all times been
determined not to relinquish." This is hardly a
fair way of putting the question, when it is an
acknowledged fact that no pains have been spared,
and no chances thrown away, to induce King WIL-
LIAM and his Ministers to take part in the debates
of the Congress recently held at Frankfort. It is
of no use to disguise things in that way, because
people will not believe the subterfuge, however in-
geniously it is worded. 'Whatever motives may have
actuated the Austrian Powers, the Prussian:Minis-
ters could not prove that their object was an inimi-
cal ono, when they refused to take part in any of
the discussions, and rejected the propositions
in toto, without hearing them. Of course
so good an opportunity of making politi-
cal capital out of the stirring scenes
just enacted was not to be lost sight of, hence we
find an energetic appeal made to the nation to rally
round the Executive at this trying juncture. The
occasion of the approaching elections will furnish
an epoch for a general expression of unity
throughout the country, and the people are urged
to make use of the event. Thus they may exhibit
that " no difference of political opinion is so deeply-
rooted in Prussia as to endanger the unity of the
people, and the immovable fidelity with which
they are attached to the Royal House." This sounds
very grand; but if the people at all respond to
these patriotic utterances and loyal sentiments, it
will not certainly be owing to the good offices of
those in high places, nor to the consideration of the
Sovereign, but to, their own inherent spirit of
nationality, and the respect and reverence which
they owe to their fatherland. It may be all for the
best, as regards the future interests of Germany,
that there should have arisen these differences be-
tween Austria and Prussia. United they might
have striven to consolidate their power, and pre-
serve intact their privileges ; but, now that they
qsa
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00
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ept
may
l disputed e is
spring-
up, and as a star in the darkness irradiate the
prospect. If these disputants would commence
their work of adjustment by sacrificing their
cherished schemes of personal ease, or their darling
objects of political ambition, how different would
things become. The Princes who refused to sign the
protocol were unfit to have been members of it at all.
Where is the benefit of convoking a great national
assembly, and then only using the opportunity and
taking up the time of the members in making stric-
tures on the impracticability of this proposition and
that decree, because it is not exactly in accordance
with their views, and runs counter to their doc-
trines of right and wrong. It can hardly be, after
all this excitement, that affairs should relapse into
their old routine. Some impetus must have been
given and some influence spread abroad relating to
the cause of constitutional government in their
bweiesu ghestaaanudtt, thoughruestsen asse. yet fa
Some gr off limpseanmdavdhimavlye
shadowed in the future, of the spread of popular
principles, and the establishment of great and
lasting States. If any solid good be eventually
achieved, all these excitements, envyings, and
heartburnings will not have been thrown away.
The Prussian people may draw a moral for them-
selves from all this outcry, and resolve to embrace
the opportunity thus fortuitously presented by
expressing their deep-rooted sentiments and firmly-
manner that cannot or will not
be mistaken. in a
These elections are not taking place
to suit their interests, but to serve the convenience
of their rulers. This is no ream why the oppor-
tunity should not be taken to stamp upon the occur-
rence the resolution of an entire nation that cannot
be moved unless for good and great purposes.

Respect for the throne and unity together are
admirable exponents of a nation's faith, but there
aro other important at tributes in the character of
a people—independence of spirit and a steadfast
resolve to maintain their rights.

Captain Mayne Reid, the bunter of the prairie,
who has hitherto been, according to the Court Jou7nal,
always riding on buffaloes, or falling into quicksands, or
C 0 11103
fighting grisly bears, or being lost in deserts, now
0t
.
before us as the author of a treatise on the popular game
croquet, with full instructions and a complete set of rules
extreme,
to meet every contingency of the play.
ARCHBISHOP WIIATELY of Dublin is better, but
his foot remains in the same state, and he is more feeble.
isnot
The age of this distinguished philosopher, though advanced,
no im
he being only in his 77th year. There was
provement reported in his condition on Saturday.
Mr. STEELL
has completed the clay model for
the bror zo statue of the late Professor Wilson, which is to
be erected at the north-west corner of East Princes-street
Gardens, Edinburgh,