The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-20 00:00:00

The Schleswig-Holstein Question.

The Cologne Gazette, in a supplement to its num-
ber of the 19th inst., publishes the text of the pro-
clamation of the Prince of Augustenburg. It is as
follows :

Schleswig-Holsteiners,—The last Prince of the Danish
branch of your ruling House has expired. In right of the
ancient order of succession of our country and of the House
of Oldenburg, in right of the ordinances specially confirmed
in the State fundamental laws of the Schleswig-Holstein
National Assembly, in right of the renunciation executed by
my father in my favour, as the eldest born prince of the
nearest branch of the House of Oldenburg, I hereby declare
that I assume the Government of the duchies of Schleswig-
Holstein, and therewith undertake the rights and duties
which Providence has conferred upon my family, and im-
mediately upon me. I know that no other power is at pre-
sent at my command for carrying your and my rights into
execution than the justice of our cause, the sacredness of
former and present oaths, and your conviction of the firm-
ness of the band uniting my fate with yours. Hitherto you
have submitted to the injustice as manfully as you have
fought to put aside that injustice. Until now an undisputed
right afforded a pretext for the yoke imposed upon you, for
the King of Denmark was at the same time your Duke,
while henceforth it is intended to force the rule of a King
of Denmark upon the people, contrary to its sacred wish,
contrary to the nationality appointed by God, and contrary
to its ancient right.
Lauenburgers,—Your fine country, the equivalent for a
land whose name I bear by birth, is subject to the same suc-
cession, in so far as it is not superseded by the rights of
other members of my House, and more ancient rights of
German ruling houses. I promise you that I shall regard
your national right as my own, and, so far as I am called
upon to do so, will protect your rights and liberties.
Schleswig-Holsteiners,—Firmly convinced that my right
is your salvation, I promise for myself and my descendants
to protect you against usurpation and illegal violence.
Our common task is to put an end to this rule. I cannot
now call upon you to repel force by force. Your country is
occupied by foreign troops, and you have no arms. It is
my duty, first of all, to appeal to the German Federal Go-
vernments for protection of my rights of government and
your national privileges. The German Confederation has
never opposed my legitimate succession.
The regulations upon which the Governments of Germany
rest are identical with those upon which my rights are
founded, and the Governments of Europe will not oppose
the truth, confirmed by experience, that a lasting condition
cannot endure where an arbitrary arrangement of right prin-
veils. I shall stand by you, as I have stood
battle, and shall not separate myself from you andbfroym our
on
e
rights.
there-
In conformity with the State fundamental laws, I
stitutiouan the
of promise and swear to observe the
of the Duchies of Schleswig Holstein,
to uphold the
rights of the people. So help me Cio his holy liVor.d
Duke of Schleswig o Lein.
FREDERIC,
Castle of Dolzig, Nov, 16, 1863,