The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-28 00:00:00

still, add." The present Ministers of the Crown may
" st 11l add" whatsoever they in their collective wis-
dom may deem fit and proper, right and necessary.
But—whether Parliament will sanction anything
of that kind when added—that is quite another
matter ! That, at least, remains to be proved—next

session !

The programme of the party of progress in
Prussia that has lately been issued appears
to be very excellent in its way, and it
would be well if there were any chance
of its being carried out. It comprises many im-
portant points, and seems to take in all really essen-
dal changes. The first item mentioned is one of the
chief improvements needed at the present time—

" complete liberty of the press, and consequently

the suppression of the decree of the end of June."
If there were any chance of this saving clause being
carried, there would be comparatively little to de-
sire for the country that is now sa painfully and
precariously situated. In nothing did the Bis-
MARK Confederation so prove their falsity to the
obligations imposed on them as in this particular
of the press. " Presentation of the law on Minis-
terial responsibility prescribed by the Constitu-
tion," is the second point mentioned. Certainly
it is very much needed, since the present ad-
visers of the Crown arrogate to themselves the
same divine right as that enjoyed by their Sove-
reign. They ignore the claim of anyone to criticise
their conduct, and refuse to render an account of
their actions to the most influential persons. The
third proposition is to establish the " effective re-
cognition of the right of the Chamber of Deputies
to control the expenses of the Treasury.' This is
a noticeable plan, and points to a reform which
is loudly called for. The manner in which the
finances of the country have been conducted is
really reprehensible, and must eventually lead to
nothing but confusion, while it proves detrimental
to the nation. In fact, the chief office of the edam-
her is set aside altogether. The Deputies, are
precluded from exercising their rights, and they
are, as a body, compelled to stultify themselves.
It is high time that the representatives of
the people should no longer forego their principles,
but perform the duties they owe to themselves
and their country. "Reorganisation of the House
of Lords" is the next thing mentioned. This
would doubtless be a very desirable arrangement,
as the whole of the political fabric in Prussia is
in great need of reconstruction. "An army founded
upon a popular basis,with a two years' service." This
is to serve as a check on the arbitrary notions of
the KING, and the unconstitutional doctrines of
his Ministerial advisers. The ninth and last pro-
vision, is a "German Parliament freely elected by
the nation." If this were carried, it would be

indeed a desideratum. The programme of the
party of progress is a well-considered proposal,
and a complete exposition of the wants of the
nation. That it, or some such alterative measure
is required is without doubt, but that it will be
put into practice is quite another affair. The spirit
of intolerance appears to be rampant in high quar-
ters, and everywhere the arbitrary schemes and
the despotic plans that were promulgated in the
summer are being put into execution. Thus we
hear that during the last few days additional
warnings have been given to various newspapers; a
pamphlet on the Constitution, end the law on the
Press has been confiscated. Also, at the request of
the Government, the police at Leipsic "have con-
fiscated a number of weekly journals published
there." All these things prove that some change
is imperatively called for, and that the counsels that
prevail at :Berlin are about as mischievous and im-
politic as they can be. It is stated that soon after

the opening of the Diet the documents relating to

the German question will be laid before it. There
is not likely to be much gained by this, because
whatever good propositions are made by the Diet
are certain to be overruled by the authorities.
The KING'S answer to the Frankfort Assembly is
now naturally the subject of much speculation. It
is said that the Government complain, inasmuch
that the project of Austria in regard to reform was
only communicated to the KING after the letters of
invitation had been sent to the other Sovereigns.
This is a eery extraordinary excuse, because great
pains were taken to inform King WILLIAM of the
new proposals. The fact is that there is no one so
difficult to teach as those who do not wish to learn,
and who are predetermined not to put the know-
ledge they gain to any profit to others, to in-
crease thereby their own stock of wisdom. They
assert that Prussia and Austria should hold an equal
rank in the Directory. This might be desirable if
practicable, but all must admit that the chance or
opportunity of so doing has been wilfully cast aside
by the KING and his infatuated advisers. The
Ministry propose to the KING to " refuse his adhe-
sion to the actual project, and to enter into negotia-
tion with his confederates." All this sounds very
fine, but it is in reality little else than clap-trap to
cajole the other States, and make a specious sem-
blance of assiduity before the people. The begin-
ning and end of all these projects is Ministerial
Conferences. This wonderful arrangement is to
furnish a sort of Deus cx Machina to extricate the
Sovereigns from their embarrassment, to give im-
provements to the States, and to bestow benefits
upon the people. These beneficent results might
be more likely to loom in the distance if the prime
mover or special originator of the whole manoeuvre
were another and a better man. The shadow be-
hind the throne flings its sombre gloom, and casts
its dusky hue over promises that shine so brightly,
and the hopes that speak so fair. It seems useless
to augur any advantage that may accrue to Prussia
until a change comes over the spirit of her dream.
In the meantime it seems safe to predicate that
little or nothing can be looked for in the way of
amelioration until the affairs of Germany are ar-
ranged in a more concise and connected form. At
present there are too many pioneers of progress,
but they seem to find it difficult to collect sufficient
followers.

Among the numerous harvest celebrations and
agricultural meetings which have taken place
within the last week or two there was no especial
feature in the dinner given at Watton. Norfolk
has been blessed with a full share of the abundant
harvest, but happily, good crops are not this year
%oda exceptional possessions as to call for any
sPecial remark. The address of Mr. G. W. BEN-
TINCIC) one of the county members, is, however,
well 'worth reading, and has EOCIIO claims to
distinction less as a triumph of oratory than
of coming from the lips of oue of the staunchest
members of the
Conservative party. The
purport of his Bpeech,
which he prefaced by
observing, with dry humour, that it was his in-
tention to say something disagreeable, was the
attitude which it would become the agricultural
interest to assume with regard to the vexed ques-
tion of Reform. Without expressing an opinion as
to the expediency or re?cessity of introducing a
Reform Bill, he reminded his hearers that they had
been told on high authority that they were to look
forward to the speedy discussion of fresh measures
of Reform. When the question came to be dis-
cussed, he advised them to bear in mind that the
principal grievance in the country was the want of
proper representation of the rural cistricts, and
that this want he attributed in a gre3; measure to