The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-25
EDITORS CoRREsPoNDENCE.
VIEWS OF AMERICA FROM EUROPE.
prom European correspondent
SWITZERLAND, January ~. 1916

! Believing that a few lines from this part Of the
world would prove interesting to your readers,
take the liberty Of forwarding the enclosed CON,
munlcatiOn Thus far the south Of Germany and
Switzerland have been blessed with a very mild
winter which, at this time may, in reality, be call
ed blessing, when the enormous high prices OF
PROVISIONS and fuel taken into consideration
People could labor out of doors all winter, and up
to January 3, we had hardlya host; after that
time little COLDER but no snow; and now whilst 1
am writing, fine spring weather. OF course the
mountains, and particularly the Alps, are covered
with snow. Actual want will not be experienced
m these parts, and particularly in Switzerland where
the governments Of the different cRntons have made
iamp!e provision for The emergency Large lots Of
grain have been purchased by them in The early
part Of the fall sufficient 10 last I'LL next harvest.
My impression Is, that the present high prices OF
grain cannot be sustained much longer, although in
some part OF Germany scarcity, If not actual want,
Is already experienced.
Excitemenis Of different kinds arc agitating this
Country, which has tendency to keep people and
Iopinions IN perpetual motion. The religious Tor
tonge excItement has taken new impulse by the
manly and humane action Of the Baden Chambers
They have come forward and proclaimed to the
world, that IN their country (small is) people
should be permitted to worship their Creator as
they thought proper; and IL mistake not, the rest
OF Germany will follow suit, although some Of them
will "dIe hard" The eyes Of all Europe are turn
ed upon Baden, 1t being the most enlightened and
most liberal chamber on the continent Of Europe and
VIII set the ball IN motion which will proclaim civil
and religious liberty to the whole Of Europe
| IheIe are, however some exceptions; as only
last week one OF its members made most illlberal
and ungenerous attack on the government and press
OF the United States, on the occasion when the ques-
ton Of abOllshing the censorship OF the press was
before that body. Every word he uttered false,
and for his authority he quoted Dickens celebrated
cork on .lHsriea." The slave question was Of
course dragged in, and the whipping and branding
OF the poor blacks was portrayed in the most glow
ing colors. All the evils existing in the United
States were described a arising from the lib
crty Of the press This ignorant being does net be-
long TO the Volks Parthie ("hbcral pary') as they
arc called, hut TO the governme"; min stcria
party which are, however, in the minority this
sion.
| The Presidents message has occasioned consider.
able excitement, but, with the people Of Germany
and Switzerland, is generally approved The lncon-
sstency of GuZotS course in the French Chambers
was plainly shown by an ex-miniSter. Mr.. Guizot
in connexon wlth,thc English government, opposed
the annexation Of Texas on the ground of the Uni
ted Stltcs becoming too powerful &c. Yet on the
Oregon question, he says that the French govern.
ment will preserve a strict neutrality, His remarks
IN reply TO the Presidents message were not appro-
red by bis government, nor by the people. AT this
time all kinds Of prejuCices brought To bear
against tie United States and lately the Duke Of
Richmond, at meeting OF those who opposed
to aboishing the present corn-aws Of England,
made use of the following language: "The greatest
evil he could name for happy England was, that they
would be obliged to solicit hreadstuiTs from Ameri-
cans" :" Happy England, should think, ought 10 re-
ioce that there was country which could raise suf
hcicn produce for their starving population. OF
late the greatest part Of the continental papers have
come to the conclusion "thot America is destined to
become the granury Of the manufacturing countries
of Europe"
Mexico is also the topic of much discussion in
the papers; and in of them letter was lately
published from "A distinguished individual in that
| country, saying: "Mexico cannot exist much lon
ger as republic; 1t can have but form and one
origin of government; il must be in conncxion with
Europe-the form monarchical, the origin Spanish"
presume the queen a Spanish princess, and the
king one Of the everlasting Coburgs! Oregon, is,
however, the great centre of nraclion-not paper
is opened, no matter how small and trfng, but
column or two are devoted to Oregon and the UGtod
States. The action Of Congress is watched as if this
country was part Of the United States. Speeches of
members are translated, and papers have taken sides
much as in the States. The government papers OF
Germany generally approve Of Mr.. Webster's
course, and particularly his speech in Boston, where
as the moro liberal papers, Chose which are urging
the aboshing the censorship Of the press) pleas
ed with the speech and motion of Gen. Cass.
This country is far from being quiet Switzer-
land, in particular, is like "swarming bea-hve"-
not only are the Catholic cantons in commotion, bot
the Protestant also, particularly Berne, Vaud,
&c. In some Instances the form of government al
though called republican, is highly aristocratic and
people are DESTROYS Of having change. Elections,
meetings, and speeches, the order Of the day
both parties being DESTROYS Of victory. The money.
ed arisocracy has powerful influence in this coun-
try-the old constitutions formed by them, and
they cannot be brought to believe that any aers-
ton is necessary The other party, or Radicals" az
they called, think different and cannot be made
believe that "rches bring wisdom" In the Pro.
tcstant canton of Vaud the government and clergy
| ar Mt q att in
ed, or were dismissed. All private religious meet
| ings are prohibited. Lately such meeting was
dispersed by order of government with water being
thrown on them by fre-engines
The late visit o the Emperor of Russia in Gcrma-
ny, Italy, &c, has created good deal Of talk
At Rome his Majesty embraced the Pope, and
promised to be more liberal to the Catholics resd
ing in Russia than he had been heretofore. He
also visited Vienna, and Witnessed asgreat parade
got up expressly for him; and, before leaving, dis
tributed some thousand Of ducats among the poor
of Vienna. should call this "rohbing Peter to
paw Paul, as no doubt, this money comes out Of
the pockets ofthe poor of Russia. Whilst attend
ing this grand review where about 10000 military
were assembled, and rs the cavalry making n
charge in full gallop, little boy, who had strnyed
too far in front and would inevitably have been
crushed to death by the thousands Of horse, had not
a private, while under full gaiIop, stopped down,
caught him by his clothes, and drew him on his
horse and with the boy before him, went through
| u
This humane, and at the time most daring
feat, was witnessed by thousands, aud also by the
Emperor of Russia, who, after the review, went up
to the soldier and shook him by the hand, at the
same time presenting him with considerable sum
Of money
;. The long talked Of marriage hctween an Austrian
prince and Princess Olga, of Russia, Uhe favore
daughter Of the emperor, although female, is a
colonel Of a regiment and called one Of the best
riders in Russa) is broken Off, and report says
that the crown prince Of Wurtenburg is to be the
happy man.
France is quiet In the chambers, the ministers
have all their own way. II is thought that this
will be the proper time for Louis Philippe to urge
his darling project, that the nation should pay his
"poor SON. the Duke Of NemourS, an outfit OF some
millions Of francs. This being the last wish OF his
majesty. he will then "die in peace" Report says
he is falling fast, md that crisis for France must
soon take place.
Wb.n saw that the Baden chambers are the