The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-27 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDA}, SEPT. 27, 1866.

The Prussian Parliament has been prorogued
until the 12th of November, when further bills will
be submitted to the Chamber. It appears that it
will be necessary for the next Parliament to be
brief, likewise in order that there may be full
opportunity for the convocation of the North Ger-
man Parliament. The Ministry expressed satisfac-
tion, as they well might, at the settlement of the
various bills which had been submitted to the
House. The two Houses have unanimously agreed
to the proposal for the prorogation to take
place to-day, and so far the Government
has again triumphed. It may well be asked
when and how Prussian interests are to
be attended to with all this confusion con-
cerning the new German Parliament. The fact is
that Prussia is fast becoming one of those great
military Powers which are alternately the terror and
dislike of neighbouring countries, and the greatest
enemy to its own interests of a social and domestic
nature. The army must be kept up, at whatever
cost, and at whatever sacrifice to the people them-
selves. Then all business relating to home matters
must be put aside, or neglected altogether, in order
that the paramount claims of the newly-acquired
territory may be considered. We do not hesitate
to say that the Prussians will not find their
progress so great, and their prosperity so consider-
able now that they are so hampered with conflict-
ing claims, and bewildered by so many various
interests. There can never be anything like real
unity among those who are forced to join with
these against their inclinations, and in spite of all
their efforts to the contrary. No doubt in the
minds of those who do not look beyond the sur-
face this last Session will be regarded as one most
notable, and likely to be ever memorable in the
annals of the land, but in reality there is not so
much to boast of. It is true that the territorial
possessions of the Prussian monarchy have
been greatly increased, but he may find in the long
run that it is not so great an advantage as he sup-
poses to be possessed of places which are very diffi-
' cult to keep, and yet which he cannot give up. It
is said that there is no chance of peace with Saxony
until that country is willing to give " sure guaran-
tees" against the recurrence of the dangers which
menaced both Prussia and Mother Germany at the
beginning of the war. We suppose that these sure
guarantees mean that Saxony must give up her in-
dependence and yield her fortresses up to Prussia.
One of the many evils arising from the events of
this late war is that the Several States of Europe
have been put in a state of perturbation. No won-
der that they should feel thus, when they are
menaced and threatened on all sides, and can
hardly rely on any aid however much claim they
may have upon it. The celebrated Circular of the
Marquis DE LAVALETTE has done nothing to change
this feeling, if, indeed, it may not be affirmed that
it has given reason to those previously sanguine and
hesitating to despair. If it be true, what
has been confidently asserted, that Count Bis-
MARK, unwilling- to cede any part of Ger-
many to France, has suggested to the
French EMPEROR that he had better compensate
himself by taking part of Belgium or Switzerland,
there is indeed great cause for anxiety ; but it is not
yet by any means decided that the French will fol-
low this unwise advice, and commit themselves be-
fore the nations of Europe. How true it is that
those who practise deceit weave a tangled web for
themselves and others Who can now predict with
confidence when we shall see a period put to the
perplexities that now distract the Continent of
Europe ? The unprincipled course pursued by one
Power has created diSturbances and caused dis-
quietude in all directions, and no benefit has ac-
crued to the cause of progress.