Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-03
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
WHAT ARE PRUSSIA AND GERMANY DOING


neace are obtaining a knowledge OF their mineral,
AGRICULTURAL, manufacturing, and commercial re-
sources are encouraging the arts and sciences, are
developing mechanical skill and useful inventions by
rewards and premiums I; are extending education
among the mass OF the people; are encouraging IN
dustry, fostering genius, and promoting human hap
piness by all the means which enlightened philan-
thropy, liberal policy, and rapidly improving views
of the duties which the ruling few owe to the ruled
many, can dictate.
France, Great Britain, Germany, Prussia, Russia,
Holland, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden are en-
gagged in this good work. But our present inquiry
concerns Prussia and Germany, or that portion OF
the latter, which, with Prussia, form the Zol-V erein
for Toll or Customs Union) and which includes the
whole of the Germany of the Biographies, with
the exception Of Austria, Oldenbnrg Holstein, Han
over, Mecklenburg, Schwerin and Sneliiz, Ham
burg Bremen and Lubbock.
The Zol- Verein sprung from small beginnings. In
1896 the Thuringian, with one two other States,
formed Miftel perein, and shortly afterwards Ba-
vara and Wirtemburg joined in further Verein.
II was not until 1888 that the actual ZoI peren was
formed, under the auspices Of Prussia, when the
two pre-existing Unions became merged in it and
by subsequent additions it consists of thirteen
different States including all Germany, with the
above mentioned exceptions. The population OF
about 100000 that of those which have not yet
Joined il, about 46,000,000.
1t is true that the principle of the ZolVerein had
its origin in the celebrated Prussian Ordinance OF
Goth May, 1918, which had reference to the duty
on foreign goods and also TO the trade OF the lnte-
rior but an institution having important bear
ing upon the commerce of other nations II had no
existence until 1893. The great effect which this
institution has produced in the twelve years during
which it has been in operation could not have been
anticipated It has probably more than realized the
expectations of the inancier the agrlculturst the
merchant, the manufacturer, and the politician.
But" SAYS the Westminster Review, /" all the diff
ferent motives of these various classes, powerful
as each in itself might be, would have scarcely
suficed TO consolidate the Zoll-V erein upon its ac
tial basis without the impetus of that strong desire
which was manifested by the bulk of the people of
the contracting States TO possess emphahcally a
tangible German nationality, object they fully
expected to realized through the fusion OF their
scattered commercial and financial interests That,
in reality the Zoll- Veren mainly its existence
to this state of feeling, which Prussia, for her own
political objects, ably turned to account rather than
TO any other single predomnating cause, how os-
tensbly soever placed IN the foreground, is fact
which all must acknowledge who have mixed
among the people of the Io-Verein States; whilst
4
which concerns the moral, social, and political
condition of Germany, the Zoll-Veren has so far
been an instrument of good: in word, has been
the means of operating moral regeneration OF the
land If we take, in illustration the single OF
railroads, we shall find these to be far more de-
.veloped in the States which belong to The Io-
Verein than in those which do not and other in
stances might be readily adduced." 1t is neces-
sary to discriminate between the Zoll-Verein simply
as a union of States and that which emanates from
that Union. the Zoll-Vere tariff for instance. The
former supplied wantof the German people; il was
suited to their condition, and has hitherto worked
well this is admitted by all parties. The latter
1.-THE tariff will be Judged favorably not, accord
ing to the commercial creed of those who pass judg
ment upon it. The Westminster Reviewer argues
the question as between Germany and Great Bri- |
TAIN and, being advocate OF free trade, there is
no wonder, that whilst he considers the Tariff to
have been adopted as well :. in retaliation against
England" for her restrictive policy for the pro-
lection of the national industry" he arrives at the
conclusion that the measure will not be found ult-
matey conducive TO the welfare and happiness of
the Zoll- Verein States. AT the same time he admits
that the hostile commercial character OF the Loll-
yeren tariff NAV cause to England the loss Of the'en-
tire German market, and the competition OF German
manufactures in foreign markets. The reviewer
adds that many of the statesmen and politicians of
Germany are favorable free trade principles, but
that their wishes are overborne by the morbid state
of public feeling created in the manufacturing dis
tricts by the writings of DIR. LIST, the champion
of the protective system" We shall not enter
into the discussion Of this question in this place.
If we glance at other evidences Of the commercial
development Of the Zol-Verein, betokening at least
the acfirify of Its administration, shall find the
by-gone year to have been fertile in Berlin with Incl
dents of commercial magnitude and importance.
These are:
|. The negotiation Of a commercial treaty be-
tween the Zoll-Verein and the United States.
2. The opening Of the exhibition of national in
dustry at Berlin.
3. The constitution Of board of trade.
4. The return Of a commission sent out by the
Prince Of Prussia to explore the Mosquito country
in Central America with the view Of German colo ,
nization.
5. The conclusion of treaty Of navigation and
commerce between the Zoll-Verein and Belgium.
6. The opening of commercial negotiations with
Brazil and Holland, and the despatch Of CONNER
cial mission TO China.
As regards the first Of these, the treaty with the |
United States, its history is too well known TO
readers to need any notice from us. This is not
the place nor the time to discuss the policy which |
dictated its negotiation, or the causes which led to
its being laid on the table by the Senate.
The Getcerbe-.auSsteN,ng, OF exhibition Of ma
tional industry, at Berlin, which has lately been
closed, furnished conclusive evidence that Germany
has made immense strides as a manufacturing coun-
try, and that she has abundant reason TO congratu
late herself on the skill and industry Of her people.