The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-16

assert was that Of interference in the internal affair
OF the other states, assuming impudently TO deeid,
which form OF government was best suited TO the
habits Of each people, and establishing il by force
arms. In this manner dospotism established
IN Spain and Italy, and the affairs of the South
American republics (our own were considered al
Nlenna) taken seriously into consideration. But
here tat Verona, 1920 the three great powers
Russia, Prussia, and Austria-made the important
discovery that neither Of them was strictly speak
ing, napat poeerj while England, faithful to her
commercial policy, Withdrew from the Congress,
and acknowledged the independence Of the South
American republics. This was perhaps, the best
and noblest act in the whole administration Of Can.
ningi but he had been preceded by Henry Clay,
who with statesman.like VISTA declared the cause
ofthese republics to be emnently that of the United
States Of America. We ought TO stick pin ia that
point OF our national history; for may be we may
have soon 10 revert to il again.
| The period from 1924 till 1880 was one OF the
gioomiest IN Germany. Austria and Prussia We'd
with each other as TO which Of the two should be
The strongest government But both Prussia and
Austria played, in this respect but the roiiao obH.
CATO 10 Russia. The latter power was stronger in
her spirit and the people accustomed to it, Through
| obedience they had become a great people and
their degree Of civilization was such that obedience
TO them was natural and yielded without resistance.
Russia, therefore, enjoyed the whole fruits Of a
successful absolutlsm, which natural and Me-
cEssARr TO place tbs Russians among the great
nations Of the earth.
The strength Of the Austrian go vernment was less
successful and less wise; but IL was certain ex-
tent at least, as necessary and unavoidable MS that
OF Russia. Austria domineered not over n nation
but over eonslomerate Of people of different orr
gin-iTaetons IN part Of other nations ruled by a
different sceplre. The four principal ones among
these are the Germans, the Hungarsns or MaeRars
the Italians, and the Scavonans or Ozekians The
Italian subjects of Austria are, no doubt the most
civilized OF them all. They have national literature
national arts, aud great and glorious national recol-
lectons. In the Italian provinces, therefore, the gov
eminent OF Austria 10 a national inhiction-a
| unspeakable eaamlty-as great as foreshadow-
ed IN The dying speech Of the Doge Of Venice
MaIlno Faliero. Hungary is at best, but partially
| civilized. In other respects there is probably no
country in Europe in which the feudaI system
has retained 80 much Of its pristine freshness
The Hungarinns are martial people, and the
conquerors 1.-THE nobles) still retain the serfs (he
peassnts) IN the most abject seryitude Yet
have the Hungarians constitution which Aus
tria dare not openly infringe upon; but il is con-
sttuton for the mobiles and not for the people-the
higher chamber being that Of the magnates and The
lower that Of the lower nobility and the
lives Of few towns. A similar constitution exists
| IN Transylvania. In the German, Bohemian, and
Moravian provinces Of Austria, the government il
| purely absolute.
From this composition ofthe Austrian monarchy.
1t is quite certain that national government Ike
| ~.
This the government Of Austria perfectly under
stands, and accordingly rules each province, with
the exception of the Italian with separate forecast
and consideration. The despotsm which in Hun
gary and lransylvania assumes the form of royal
prerogatiYes, becomes in the German States pater-
nal and patriareha!; but on that account not less
severe. In Italy, Austria wears no mask but rules
by the power OF coercion. IL is clear, therefore
that the Austrian power is divided within itself
that il is not unit like that of Russia aud that if il
| a.
very different and incoherent elements to work
upon. The Austrian phalanx is like that of great
army IN which neither the centre nor any OF the
wings may be advanced without breaking the line
and creating dangerous intervals. In addition to
this, the geographical position Of Austria i. pecu-
1iary delicate; for she has large frontier exposed
to Russia She disputes to the great northern coos
the navigation Of the Danube and she IT, III rouob
her proximity to Waacha and Moldavia, as also
through her navigation OF the Adriatic, immense
ly concerned in what is called the Oriental question
Austria, TO sum up, is more remarkable for the des-
pouc exercise Of her power than Russia, while
from her position, and especially from her being
German State, she is unable to derive any of The
Indirect advantages Of that form Of government
Prussia is highly educated country; portion of
the people having for time, at least, been accus-
toned to liberal forms Of government, and the rest
having been promised constitution far back as
1912. The strong government Of Prussia, there
fore, is out Of reason. There is time in the his
tory OF each nation where, having outgrown her po-
ltcal forms, she must either change them or decline
and perish. Peter the Great could, by absolutism
do for his uncivized subjects in the course of
ten years than constitutional sovereign could, per-
haps, have done for them during long reign but
that is no reason why modern Prussia should take
| ancient Russla for a model as regards government.
The genius of Frederic accomplished undoubtedly
much, but the principal thing done was the emanci
patton Of the people from mental slavery. Frederic
was the Voltaire among the sovereigns, and laid
himself the foundation to the scepticism of his peo
pie. The almost humiliation of the Prussian mon
arcby, after the battles Of jena and Auerstadt
forced Prussia, in 1912, to rely the liberal spirit
and the loyalty Of her people for reconquering her
position At that time Prussia carried on a liberal
propaganda similar to that throug which she hoped
to obtain possession of the kingdom of Saxony at
the Congress of Vienna. The liberal pens of Ger
many were all won by the king of Prussia for it
was in the name of liberty that the Germans COM
batted the troops Of the French emperor. But no
sooner was the latter safely landed at St. Helena
than the ancient government reared its head loftier
than ever. The first among the princes who disap-
pointed the people was the late king of Prussia.
Most Of the German princes have since followed his
example. Of Russia it may he said, in extenuaton
of her form Of government, that it is the only form
OF government as yet possible in Russia Austria
can plead the power Of circumstances and the fact
that she never promised anything like reform in her
administration; but Prussia labors under more seri-
Gus objections.
The present state of Germany is now told in
few words. Civil and religious conentions-hos-
tile position of the people Of the small states toward
their petty sovereigns, which makes them imbece,
wavering between a protective tariff and liberal
system Of commerce, with mad endeavor to recon-
Gle the two exremes-attempts at religious reforma-
lion side and an interference of the armed DO.
lice in church matters on the other. Every obsta-
Gle has been thrown in the way of increasing the
consumption Of American staples in Germany. She
prefers to purchase the good win of England
thing wanted for rainy days--by the annual con-
sumption of seventy millions of pounds of British
twists.
rI,IJE caTAI oGITE or sTAps or TILE