The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-09 00:00:00

although it has been given M a dignified
manner, and an absence of all parade or ostentation.
The Senate declares that it has not acted in opposi-
tion to the laws of the Free City, and also that it
has not violated the laws of the Confederation.

The Prussians have sent a reply to this Note,
which has not yet been made public, but it is be-
lieved that it denounces the reply of the Senate as
having been drawn up " under the influence of re-
solutions proceeding from unauthorised assemblies,"
and even goes so far as to make out that the inde-
pendence manifested in the spirited reply of the
Senate furnishes another proof of the correctness of
the views already entertained in Berlin, and in which
the Vienna Cabinet coincided. Prussia refuses to
yield an inch of ground, and will consult with Aus-
tria as to the advisability of adopting further mea-
sures. Although it was not deemed expedient at
that juncture to make any decided manifestation,
the Prussian Government deemed it to be advisable
to state the unfavourable impression which the re-
ply of the Senate had made. Can anything be
more outrageous than the manner in which these
audacious Powers is proceeding ; and, of course,
Austria is only too ready to follow suit, and to add
the weight of her authority to the scales in which are
balancing the rights of the free and ancient City of
Frankfort. The Senior Burgomaster received a
note from the representative of Austria, in which it
was stated that the Imperial Government could not
accept the communication of the Senate as a "reply,"
and goes so far as to declare that the despatch sent
from Vienna had been misquoted. The Senate's
reply to this was to the effect, that the Frankfort
Legislature had only followed the regulations issued
by the Confederation with respect to the associations,
and also in regard to the press; and finally declares
that "in future, as hitherto, its conduct will be guided
solely by the regulations of right and of the laws."
Some remarks are subjoined as to the necessity which
exists at present for a change in political organisa-
tion to take place, and that consequently efforts are
made with a view to the attainment of this desired
end by associations and assemblies of the press. Any
error that may arise from a mistaken course being
adopted, or a too hasty effort made, must fall under
the treatment of the law, but on no account should
any " forcible intervention" take place. This is
quite clear and comprehensive to those who chose
to understand it; and since the movement sobitterly
complained of by the two Powers has certainly
sprung out of a " recognised want," it is the
more inconsistent and inexcusable for them
to make such a confusion and threaten such dire-
ful consequences. It must be admitted that the
Senate of Frankfort has adopted the only course
which could be called consistent with its ancient
rights and traditionary privileges. It has not hesi-
tated to confront the great allied Powers now in
the plenitude of their unjust and arbitrary power,
and flushed with' the great success which they
have met with through the supineness of some and
the treachery of others. Contrary to expectation,
the National Verdi:). was permitted to assemble,
which will doubtless be a great cause of offence to
the jealous and susceptible Government of the two
Powers. It cannot be said, however, that anything very
flagrant occurred at this assembly, and only a partial
and prejudiced judge can make anything of the affair
calculated to excuse or justify proceeding to ex-
tremities. Moreover, it will be the manner, and
not the matter, that will provoke indignation, and
no one need feel surprised if the next news is that
Herr Von BISMARCK has been highly incensed at
the unwarrantable proceeding, and persuaded his
complaisant ally to frustrate such efforts for the
future, and make it evident beyond a doubt that the
will of the two great German Powers is from hence
forth to be law. It will not be, however, without a
struggle that the Senate will yield its pri-
vileges ; and the whole of Germany will feel justly
incensed at this interference with national
rights, and this last veto put upon ordinary
assemblages taking place. Already we find
a conference of the minor German Powers
has taken place at Florence with reference to the
attitude of Austria and Prussia towards Frankfort.
This shows the feeling that exists, and even the
mighty Government of Prussia may find it has gone
altogether too far, if not altogether overstepped its
limits, in this new attempt at arbitrary interference.
If there be any lingering remnant of discretion
left in Berlin, the powers that be will not take up
the quarrel with Frankfort in a very decided man-
her, but content themselves with giving hints and
sending despatches which may be interpreted ornot
without any very grave results following. Such
sense and discernment have not, however, been so
manifestly displayed of late as to afford us any
certain hope or confident expectation of this course
being pursued, and the nations of Europe may
again have to denounce the tyranny of the Allied
Powers, and deplore their want of principle.