The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-17 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1850.

A deplorable illustration has just been afforded of
the necessity for some systematic re-organization of
the Federated States of Germany. Hesse Cassel has,
this time, been the arena of a political struggle, de-
monstrating more clearly than ever the baneful con-
sequences of the present scheme of Confederation. In
order to comprehend the precise character of this
movement it must be borne in recollection that the
principality ?n question is one whose affairs are con-
ducted, in some respects, under peculiarly advan-
tageous, and in others under peculiarly disadvantageous
circumstances—circumstances materially affecting
the merits of the principle contended for by the in-
ternecine belligerents. Cursed with one of the most
unpopular rulers in Germany, Hesse has ever since
1831 been blessed with one of the most judiciously
conceived and exquisitely balanced constitutions.
Tne form of government secured to the Electorate,
on the occa,ion of that revolutionary explosion
which invested the Ducal House of Orleans with the
purple of sovereignty, was shown, indeed, to have
been fashioned with consummate judgment on
that more recent and more formidable mindquake of
1848, which scattered to the winds and the waves
the dynasty of the Barricades. At the moment when
almost every country throughout the European con-
tinent was endeavouring to avail itself of the oppor-
tunity presented for the modification of charters, for
the re-arrangement of authorities, for the re-distri-
bution of responsibilities, the smell but important
/Rectorate of Hesse - Cassel showed itself to be
satisfied with the boon of constitutional ad.
ministration acquired during the last political
convulsion. Tnis satisfaction, moreover, was ex-
pressed notwithstanding the unpopularity of the
reigning ELECTOR, an unpopularity provoked by his
own harsh policy and arbitrary temperament. Ner
can we regard the occurrences which have just taken
place between himself and his subjects as proving
anything more glaringly than the justice of that
prejudice against the Prince and that partiality for
the Government.
Wh e the Elector of Hesse has displayed the
vices of his despotic character in a mannet calcu.
lated to cover his name with an universal
odium, the institutions of Hesse Lave revealed their
strength and elzsticity with a distinctness beyond the
reach of misapprehension. The rivdry between the
one and the (Aber, bet w:en the Prince and the people,
the ruler and the constitution, the llw arid the chief
magistrate, having been criginated by incidents of a
very simple ant conspicuous description, may be
readily explained, and v, e dialbt not but that when
explained, even those who are most enamoured with
the dogmas of tyranny will acknowledge the atrocity
of the attempt made by the Hessian ELECTOR to
subvert the constitutional authority of his dominions,
1%. s i AO 411 dignity and the decision with which those
acaous ,0,..n, ss ~ ere lept-lkil by th.- Hessian
-,----_ po-julatinn. Like all arbitrary sovereigns, the Elector
Of Hassig •,±aluus of the liberties of his people, has
_11iP4541. bit 6 elf in a peculiar degree jealous of the
4rtrAilt,tyttist: rivileges of the Parliament.
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Elected by I
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