The Sun.
London, England, 1832-06-11 00:00:00

THE HAMBACH FETE.

FRANKFORT, MAY 29.—Before you receive this
you will have seen in all the German papers accounts
of the Hambach fete; for although it does not pro-
perly finish till this evening, yet Sunday the 27th
was not only the first but the most important of the
three days' meeting. As party feelings may, how-
ever, discolour, or at least overcharge the picture in
some points, I may give you, in a few touches, a
truer view tha❑ those more lengthened descriptions
which)ou will find elsewhere.

Full 20,000 persons were drawn together, despite
the various discouraging obstacles which the
BAvarian Government threw in the way. The
theatrical effect of the scene was magnificent. The
national flag of Germany, of most imposing pro-
portions, with an immense number of smaller ones
of various colours and designs, were exhibited, and
paraded about, escorted by armed bands, music, and
every other display of enthusiasm. Tents were
pitched in the valley, under the old ruins of Ham-
bach Castle, ornamented with banners and inscrip-
tions; and nothing of " scenery, machinery, and
decorations" omitted, which could gratify the eye,
or interest the imagination. So far so well. But
with regard to the political management, and the
moral results of the spectacle, something more solid
than mere show is looked for ; and as far as I can
learn, that has not been found to the extent desired
by the steady and theoretic patriots, who watched
the proceedings, but did not mix in them.

The Committee who had the direction of the
fete, puzzled in the complicated arrangements of an
affair so novel in this country, and having the deli-
cate task of making the thing effective, without
committing themselves with the Government, seem,
either from caution or want of experience, or per-
haps a conflicting mixture of both, to have acted on
no settled plan. Matters were therefore left, in
a great measure, to chance. And so much
the better, I think. The grand object of such oc-
casions, and in the peculiar circumstances of these
countries, is to excite the people into a display of
spontaneous and undrilled feeling, and to let them
strike out ways to the attainment of their great de-
sign, energetic•, national, and original, out of the
beaten track of political travelling. No President
was electedand no order assigned for either speakers
or listeners. Various scattered and undisciplined
groups a'sembled in consequence, to hear sundry
volunteer orators, such Dr. Wirth, Siebenpfeiffer,
and Harald (the editor of the Deutsche Tribune,
the Hochwachter, and the Constitutionelle Deutsch.
land), as well as Dr. Borne, Harro-Harring, and
some other still more violent demagogues (I
tr,e the word without offence or reproach),
whose names I will not inflict on you. But I must
not omit to mention, that the Polish patriot, Grzymal
(pronounce him, if yon can, but at any rate print him
fairly) made a speech of much energy. He was ac-
companied by about twenty of his fellow-exiles ;
and a letter from General Dembinski to the German
people was read with considerable applause. Many
patriotic songs were sung in loud chorus, and several
printed addresses circulated. Of the latter I enclose
you one, from the society of " the Friends of thr
People" of Strasbourg. It will show you how the
nzouvement party in France are working on the ele-
ments of German excitement.

So much for the open-air proceeding of this me-
morable day. At a private meeting—a consider-
able one too—in the Schieshaus, the portraits of all
the reigHing German Princes, or caricatures meant
to represent them (a month ago that of the Grand
Duke of Baden would have been excepted), were
trampled on, torn up, and burnt ; and the National
Union of Germany solemnly pledged and sworn to,
amid orgies of which the details are of small impor-
tance. Externally every thing went off without
violence. No attempt was made by military or
police to interfere with the proceedings. It would
pave been, indeed, insanity to oppose what could
not be suppressed; arid perhaps the Government of
Bavaria is not sorry to have an opportunity of see-
ing (as they no doubt did by their spies) so many
heretofore concealed enemies throw off the mask
and avow themselves fully.
But no public man of leading respectability or in-
fluence was present; no Rotteck, nor Mittermaier,
nor Jordan, nor Welcker. The whole assemblage
was, in fact, under the control of the Republican
French, or (for want of a better word) the Jacobi-
nical party. This, perhaps, will be looked upon as
unfortunate by the steadier and less violent patriots,
who abstained from attending. The Government
will probably think it lucky, inasmuch as it will give
a colour of excuse to the harsh measures they were,
without it even, prepared to adopt. Severe stric-
tures from the various Cabinets, and fulminating
anathemas front the Francfurtlz _Bundestag (as our
Divan of despotism is generally called) may be is-
•ued—paper blockades against the open ports of
liberty—but what of all that ? Let the prudent
patriots hold back, let Monarchs and Ministers

threaten, let Diets denounce ; :the free spirit of
Germany is now awake and up. The people ar,
daily, hourly gaining knowledge of their own power ;
they may make blunders in the early operations of
their great work, and run counter to all the line-
and squares of political geometry. But if they.
have fairly taken the work in hand, it will be sure tt,
right itself. When the vessel is once launched,
pilots enough will be found to pittide its course.
Mien who now hang back, from fear of premature
attempts, will soon step forward to direct the rising
spirit, which no set of men can by any possibility
control. It is of little consequence how public
meetings like the present are managed, so as they
do not infringe the existing laws. It is no matter
how far or how short certain speakers may go, so
as they show the people the real object to aim at—
political liberty; and that the salutary misgivings
of the despots grow in a proportionate ratio with
the public courage. There is no danger of the
people of any country, with the recent examples of
France and England before them, overshooting the
mark which civilized Europe now looks to with a
steady and most determined eye. But the main
point of the many which the universal subject em-
braces is the countenance and encouragement of
France and England, united in the generous and
resolute desire to see other nations as free as they
are themselves. That is the only society for the
common good; the great seal to be set on the bond
of human happiness. When will the pledge be
given ? When acted on ? And where will its first
effects be seen ? In Hanover ? I hope so—but
very faintly.