The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-05 00:00:00

his
little
desire at the
h eexpensehasof what
grace and consideration left. Inrelinquish-
ing their late efforts at centralisation for the mania
of incorporating Schleswig-Holstein among their
dominions, the smaller States of Germany have
made a fearful mistake, and in Herr BIS3IARK, who
was to have been the champion of their rights and
the upholder of their interests, they have, indeed,
caught a Tartar, for they can neither induce him to
follow their wishes, nor to leave them to pursue
i theirs. It is, certainly, a retribution on their
vanity which they little looked, for, but it is very
Much to be regretted that such a stoppage to pro-
gress should have occurred. By this time the
world had expected to see something very diffe-
rent in the condition of Germany to the mor-
tifying spectacle it now presents, and the chief
blame of all this mischance rests, of course, with
Prussia, although, of course, things could not have
come to such a pass had not the other portions of
the empire been so defective in judgment and faulty
in their policy. Herr VON BISMARK expresses in
the strongest terms his surprise and indignation at
the course pursued by the minority who went against
the general desire for a termination of Federal exe-
cution ; and fairthermore intimates that such a
course is most injurious, and that he finds it difficult
to understand how a number of " German Govern-
ments could be in doubt as to this declaration itself,
and could vote against the simple expression of
opinion as to the execution being concluded."
Poor mistaken mortals who have thus—presumed to
stand forth in -opposition to • the great magnate of
Berlin If they thought that their errors were
hidden they
.are very much mistaken, and they are
not likely to hear the last of it for many a long day
to come. In this important missive there are hints
conveyed and threats indulged in that may dismay
some of the recusants, and cause them to wish sin-
cerely that they had never .embarked in so perilous
an enterprise as this affair of the Dano-German.war.
It is here stated that the " motives and explanations
with which they accompanied their notes" only aug-
mented the evil, and created apprehension for the
future of the German Confederation. Others be-
sides Herr VON BISMARK may well entertain appre-
hensions for the future if such edicts as this are
put forth, and such fulminations of the wrath of
offended majesty directed against those who have
so miserably failed in carrying out its decrees.
Really if things go on like this we shall not be
puizled to give a reply if questioned as to the most
despotic Government in the world ; that President
LINCOLN with his military rule, nor the Emperor of
AUSTRIA in his autocratic sublimity, will equal
.the
King of PRUSSIA with his faithful Vizier and astute
adviser, Herr VON BISMARK. His word is to be law,
and the privileges of representative States are
henceforth to be as nought. It is just what pre-
scient persons thought all along might happen if thi
mad notion of waging war for the possession of the
Duchies was entered upon, but how many
really well-meaning persons were deceived and did
not expect such a consummation of the. designs of
Austria and Prussia.. When the Middle States were
absurd enough to give their adhesion to the under-
taking they sealed their own doom in a great mea-
sure, and undid, by a moment's madness, what had
cost the work of years to build up, and put away
from themselves the chance of realising those aspi-
rations of freedom and independent self-government
which were raising them in the estimation of the
nations of Europe, and which had won for them
admiration and respect. If this despatch means
anything, it certainly means that M. 131 S NI ARK
will not put up much longer with the difficulties '
that have so often impeded his progress, in
carrying OUt his intentions; and • also that
they who so wilfully obstruct his course will regret
contumacy and bewail their obstinacy. It is Clearly
shown that no expression of the wish of these lesser
States will be suffered to influence the Cabinet of
Berlin. Indeed, Herr BISMARK seems as it he
sought to rival the fabled deity at whose word all
Olympus shrunk. For the future it is to be suffi-
cient that an opinion is given and a desire intimated
to insure immediate acquiescence and ready com-
pliance. roi reidliid better be the watchword
of his policy and the maxim of his life. At all
events, those who have been dupes hitherto
need be so no longer; they have heard
the oracle pronounce their fate; and if they any
longer hesitate it cannot be for lack of knowledge.
They cannot lay claim to the double cord of the
Platonists of ignorance--that they are ignorant ;
they have seen the statute which sets forth the rela-
tions between them and the chief powers that be.
Herr BISMARK has not minced matters, he openly
declares that he sees in the recent occurrences " a
tendency to extend the competence of the Diet
which find no basis in treaties, and which he cannot
avoid, characterising as dangerous to the existence
of the Diet itself." Ominous words, which the wise
and wary will not fail to recognise as presaging
wrath to the liberties of the independent States ;
and, after all, who can expect that consideration for
their welfare should stand in the way of Prussian
policy, or be suffered to retard the march of the
conquering hero of diplomacy.