Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-05-25

In your "broad sheets" is some casual extract from
our journals, on frivolous rumors of Congresses or
conferences to be holden local disturbances ubou,
c'S'''"-h"nsc laws, or squabblcs money mat
"iS' 'o'wecn The sovcrcigns and ministers on one
Pi'' ana me representatives of the people on the
o'"c'' an tins put together amounts certainly to
'0"o 'niorila,ion But ii is so scattered so sean
~ 'i'u SO uncommcrtcd on, that it makes I'M
PRESTON on your public, who cannot in circum.
e.""ceS SO lraught with domestic agitation, find
.ie, even 1t they had oppor: unity. TO put the links
eosc'"cr' and form Il chain of facts, much less of
reasoning.
Inc general notions Of Germany prevalent
among you are as little connected ard as inner
'.ct as the details of passing events. The work
OF Madanc dc Stael is still tho basis of the vulgar
iIci' ana those whose creed is formed Oh it view
"e,hahy through the veil of her enthusiasm
y. IL" INC sort oil unreal conviction inspired by re-
nS'us mystery. But this is dangerous medium
~ VISION. There is constant vupour between
TIC observer and the object; and it is possible, i'm
nioIS7 as well as in optics, to put the wrong end
Vi the glass TO the eye, diminishing and rendering
least bring near ~
Inc German character of to-day is bv no means
that traced twenty years ago by Madame de Stael
IN The sands of fancy bat long since washed out
py the 'idc OF truth. II is no longer Il walking
drealIl--a hatdrun>cn idea liSlu--a mi yuro of SCI;
encc drowned in oceans of thcory-a multitude
OF WIG abstraction, lost in the deserts of infinite
space. The abstract PHILOSOPHY" to which we
were driven in the impossibilty OF cultiva,ny the
POSITIVE wisdom of social good, has been long eva.
poratihg The hoGting theories of tho last century
are gradually becoming solid facts The scatter
CD hopes OF many States fast vcrging to u point;
and Germany is little, if at all, behind hand in
thai nobcst national work-a union of interest
oil Object, and Of action. As shaduwy cXappcra
tons arise from tic surface of her social system
mass of intelligent and rational beings il discoy
cred, toiling for Improvement in the broad LIGHT Of
reason which has dispersed the miSts; and meta
physical distractions sncc adorcd and invoked as
SO many inpapabe divinites, are ROW laughed AT
as chimeras.
Since the fall of Napoleon, Il total change in
German feeling has kept pace with the evident re-
action against the mysifcations OF its "philoso
Phy'" The triumph of success against the colossal
power OF France has awakened new chord in the
national mind and the busy sounds of political act
ION are the basis of its harmony Religious con
tovcrsieS, and local prCjndiccs, are in allowance
wholesale imPatcncc is felt 10 participate in the
great events which agtate Europe. Enthusiasm
IN short, has reached crisis that ought not and
indeed cannot 20 unobscrvcd or undcrvaucd It's
not Germany alone that is concerned. The inter.
es,s OF general Europe involved in the question
Although desire, rather let me say a resolution,
to be free is universal through Germany il is well
that it should'bc understood to what extent FREQ
dom is wished for, and by what means it is likely
10 DC attained GU may he assured that the feso-
iuie and vigorous, but still rational patriots abound
ing In the country have well considered what has
u
what is passing around them. They will not be
carried away by the false notions which so long
governed tho world. History offers lesson two
thousand years long, the fiction Of freedom for
ced by one country on another. The fate of Greece
under Roman patronage, OF Poland under Russian
oil italy and Holland under French and MANY o.
tier instances give ample warning to the nations
VINO would seek shelter under the Upas OF foreign
force. 1t Is only now that the world begins 10
read history Alright 1t has been too lonU a vbild,s
DOOk-OuIV looked a sal. Of. i,,
Germany sets Il good example of its true study
9he VIII nave no new Francis the First to assume
the arrogant title of '.Proector of her Liberties
ohe pants for freedom, but freedom according to |
heF peculiar notions, and suited to her own wants
She spurns that spurious liberty that was wont to
be carried on the points of French bayonets and
thrust IN, like lint with the very weapon that made
the wound The Germans, in fact, love liberty, not
ior It's sake but their own. They do not worship :he
abstract principl:. They long for its practical D.
Pilcauon, fashioned after their own tastes; and
while there'is a chance Of obtaining it in concord
with their Princes, they shrink from all notion of
forcing it from them.
As to regeneracd Franco, let her understand the
real clements thcr glory. Let her abstain from
All attempts to force up other countries to her level
Let her leave them to work out their ow salvation
Hand in hand with England, let her watch over
and encourage, but take active part in that
mighty business, and it will be sure to 90 or we'll
Let her be satisfied that though sine is not respou
sbie Tor the gfcyous failures which over-saneuine
ardour has brought down some nations she is in
dSpu'ably entitled to large share of gratitude for
every tendency TO wards general liberty consequent
on her splendid Revolution of 1880. The present |
state OF Germany is the eiicct-thc least known |
The least noisy, and beyond comparison the most
produced by that great cause. In this
conviction, make this attempt, to excite tho at
tcnt!on Of the British public the real state ofths
country; and if you find the subject of sufficient in
tercst to wish for its deyelopcmcnt will follow up
THESE opening observations by some of more de- |
tailed nature, and keep You informed OF such events
Us may appear To me of moment