Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-08-14
switzerland.

Political CONSTITUTION OF THE SWISS CsNToys.-
The novel spectacle Of religious war IN Switzerland,
has turned public attention, especially IN Europe, VERY
much towards that country. We have IN ught that
condensed view of the political constitution of the
country and of other matters connected with it,
might be interesting to our readers.
The twenty-five Cartons are united on equal terms
in confederation for mutual defence; but in most
other respects each has its independent internal
administration. NeufclIatel, in which the King OF
Prussia rules, is the Only exception to the Republican
form OF government In 1881 important reforms took
place IN the several cantons in favor OF democracy
In six of the smaller mountain cantons, legislation
and sovereignty exercised by the people IN gem
eral assembly without the Intervention OF represent
tative body and without any property qualifications
In the other cantOns the right OF suffrage Tor repre-
senatiyes to the Landrath Council OF the canton) Is
nearly universal In St. Gall Basle the primary as
senibes have Ueto the local legislature In or
panic questions Where a legislature (Or organic
counci exists, this body elects the Executive, Cor
petty council at the head of which is the Burgomas
ter in the other cantons the head (styled Landam-
mani is elected by the General Assembly q. of all
the people) The General Diet of Switzerland is
composed of the deputies from the cantons, (not the
peopc,) and obey the instructions Of their respective
gOvernments-each canton having but vote.
The General Diet makes war and peace, contracts
foreign alliances, sends ambassadors determines the
amount of military force, and directs the expenditure
of the finances Of the confederation. Ii meets annu
ally In the cnei tOWi OF tDe DlrectOral OdntOn, (Ol
head Canton for the time being) the Burgomaster of
this Canton presiding Bern, Zuina, and Lucerne,
the Drectorial Cantons and the Diet has its reg
ular annual sessions in their respective capitals In
succession, meeting in each for two years together
Five Cantons may call extra meeting of the Diet
While not sitting, its powers confined to the
Grand Council (Legslature) of the Direc,orlal Can
ton for the time being.
The revenue of the Diet is small, derived from
toms and pro-rata contingent of the several Can
TONS There is standing army; but every male
Swiss must serve for certain number of years. and
during that period must hold himself at all times
ready for service Such is brief outline of the po-
litcal constitution of this primitive and highly inter-
esting people.
The number Of Protestant cantons is 10 and Of
Catholic 1l-leavng one nearly balanced between the
two. In seven OF the Catholic cantons there is
Protestant returned, and in Lucerne, but 53, out
Of population of 124G00. The whole number of
Protesants is $4,000 and of Catholics ,2S5, COO
The religious contest is not between the PrOtestants
and Catholics, but between the former upheld by
large majority of the latter who are opposed 10 the
Jesuits, and the majority of Cantons which protect
the Jesuits. We do not think from what we learn of
the state of the contest that the peace of that coun-
try is likely to be again disturbed by armed force.