The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-03 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1868.

The King of PRUSSIA must be pretty well accus-
tomed to making speeches by this time, and his
discourse upon the closing of the Prussian Legisla-
tive Session was nothing out of the common. There
was the same jubilant announcement of the work
that had been done, and the same flattering allu-
sion to what the Government had effected. The
KING thinks that he has discovered a solution of
many existing difficulties, and hails the advent of a
new era which shall witness the real accord that
takes place between his Government and the
national representation. The " Crown's dig-
nity, takes an immense deal to sup-
port it apparently ; but so far the news
is satisfactory, for the two Houses have readily
granted the augmentation that was required. The
"lincreased Monarchy" about which so much parade
has been made, is a most expensive affair, but the
strange thing is that the annexed provinces have to
contribute largely themselves, and yet the Prus-
sians are also called upon to make sacrifices in the
common cause of this incongruous kingdom or
empire, as it is desired to have it called. The just
wishes of the countries that have been newly ac-
quired are very far from being satisfied, but the
King of pit USSIA seems to think otherwise,
although how ho has arrived at that
conclusion it is difficult to understand. So
far as lookers-on have been able to appreciate
the state of things, it has seemed that those places
that have been forced to own Prussian supremacy
have sequestered their rights and lost their position
as independent and self-governing States; while, at
the same time, little or no consideration has been
shown for their wishes, expectations, or demands.
An awkward subject to allude to was that of the
distress in Eastern Prussia. Every one knows that
this has been in a great measure occasioned by the
pressure of the war, and the continual draining off
by the conscription of the able members of the
community. As may be imagined, however,
King WILLIAM does not inquire too closely
into causes, and contents himself by declaring that
the sufferings will be alleviated; thatpublic charity,
the measure of Parliament, and the good care of the
authorities will be sufficient to overcome the evil.
The needless misery thus spread abroad by the gra-
tification of inordinate ambition, and the prosecu-
tion of a ruthless policy, is, indeed, sad to contem-
plate, and furnishes a striking warning to those who
persist in following a reckless course without due
regard to the welfare of others. It is idle to talk
of good measures being introduced into that coun-
try with a view to the development of its resources
while the hard and oppressive customs of the con-
scription prevail in all their rigour and harshness.
llanover was another " vexed question" which
had to be treated of, but the speech of the ICING
goes straight on, and those not versed in the affair
would never think that there had been so much
confusion on the subject. The " equity and good-
will" which inspired the policy of the Government
have had their influence on the Legislators, and
induced them to agree to the proposals about
the provincial fund. Not only has this principle
been suited for Hanover, but it is confidently
affirmed in this speech that they have taken the
first efficacious step towards "the policy which is to
lead to an autonomism and satisfactory administration
by all the other provinces." The convention of
compensation with the former Sovereigns of Hano-
ver and Nassau is also duly acknowledged, and the
best results are to follow from the experiment. It
really seems as if the KING or his Ministers were
attempting a joke when we find this declaration
made in conclusion :—" My Government has inces-
santly endeavoured to use its influence in favour of
the conservation and consolidation of the peace of
Europe." Who but PruT,sia has been the moving
spirit and the active agent in all the wars that have
disturbed us of late years? and what folly
it is to talk after this fashion, as if the
records of the past could be so easily effaced, or
the bitterness of envy and disappointment could
lose its sting in so expeditious a manner. The
Fatherland is to flourish, and national welfare is to
be developed,
in consequence of the wise and
humane policy of the Government. All this sounds
v A'y well at first, lint it will Got bear a minute in-
quiry, and there is no valid reason to be adduced
which should make us put implicit credence in the
assertion.

It is unfortunately only too evident that the
Government of Berlin will stop for nothing to
carry out their schemes, and pdt their designs into
execution. The airs which they give themselves,
and the arrogance they display, are really most
surprising, and we have just had a signal instance
of it in the matter of Hanover, They 40 virtu-