The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27
EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
SWITZERLAND, April %, 1876.
To the Editor Of The Union:

Since my last communication, we have had plenty
Of excitement on this side of the Atlantic perhaps
as much as on your although no Oregon question
10 decide. The elections In Baden, by which
the opposition or liberal party liz is here called the
"Partheides Forsehntls) have increased their for
mer majority FIVE members and reelected all their
leading men, has astonished every body, but more
particularly the crowned heads. IL Is not unlikely
that the German Diet, at Frankfort will attempt 10
interfere In the progress which liberal and republi-
can principles are making in this country. Count
Blisterodor, the representative from Baden at
Frankfort, is very hostile TO the majority of the
chambers, and no doubt will use his influence TO
put down everything that has the least color Of
publicanism. The city Of Mannheim appears to be
the seat Of lberul and republican IDEAS. To punish
them, government refused to permit the Frankfort
and Heidelberg railroad to connect with the Baden
railroad at that pace-although nature had intended il
30, and government would have saved a million of
horins by it-but IL is now brought in eircuitous
route 10 connect with il four miles above Mannheim,
at miserable little village OF 50 or 60 houses.
Mr.. Urian, who was at the head Of the censorship,
resided al this place man deeply In the interest Of
government, and deadly hostile TO the people. Pub
lie opinion has however, obliged him to resign, and
a more liberal man has been appointed In his place.
The constitution Of Baden (now about 80 years old
and framed under Grand Duke Charles, an enight-
ened and virtuous prince) is very liberal, and il
strictly adhered to, people might be very happy and
content. That section, however, granting 10 the
duke the privilege Of Diminishing the chambers at
pleasure, Is anything but republican, and as long
il remains, elections are 4 mere farce. The govern
ment OF Baden is called the most liberal in Europe;
| the country Of the fheyt and richest but taxa
ton is enormous. With population not reaching
| that Of Pennsylvania they are obliged to support a
standing army Of 10000 men, besides 5000 e-
vii officers, all Of which are paid well-the
gr and duke himself receiving a salary OF TOO
600 forms per year. IL is land Of breweries and
distleries, from which government derive the great
est part Of their revenue. Temperance men will be
shocked 10 hear that, in this little province there
are q, 900 distlleres and 1900 breweries. This
was the actual number on the LIST OF January last
From these government receives annually over
| eight millions Of dolars-the most tnhing brewery
paying 900 forms or $500 tax per year. The
eyes OF all Europe are turned towards this country
| and the proceedings Of its chambers (which assem-
bic again on the LIST Of May will be as closely
watched as those Of Congress are at present re-
sPectng the Oregon question.
The distress is very great on the continent Of Eu-
roPe-food scarce and high, wages low, and labor
scarce. Prussia perhaps, takes the lead. A mise
rable, destitute, starving person, formerly Of good
character, residing in Berlin, lately gave infoma.
ton TO the police Of that city that he had set fire TO
the theatre, (Which had been destroyed some time
slnce.) Upon investigation, 1t was discovered that
he was innocent, and that he had given the informa-
ton for the sole purpose OF being imprisoned, and
| by that means obtaining food, which otherwise he
was not able to obtain. Instead of, however, re-
celying the desired food he was sentenced to re.
ceive $50 ashes for having deceived the police!
The long Prussian constitution has not vet
made its appearance although it is reported that, at
ministerial caucus, it had been agreed upon, but
was objected to by the king. The shot at the king
OF France will, however, hasten 1t. When it does
| come, 1t will be miserable atfair-much like the
handle Of jug. Towards the German Catholics
this country has become more liberal of late. The
Polishrevoluton has brought about this sudden
change. Saxony, also, is awakening from long
slumber, and religious liberty is to have a trial, at
least. Nearly all the smaller states Of Germany
have adopted the same resolution.
Austria refuses that sect a foothold. The name
alone creates fear and trembling. Jesuits are
gaining foothod in that country. Government
refuses passports to persons Of property who
are desirous of emigrating to Amerca-where-
as, rogues and defaulters particularly if
they belong to the higher CLASSY are pro-
yided without the least possible delay. The Bava-
rian chambers have adjourned for the present, but
are to meet again shortly. For all the good that
they have done, or will do, IL ,eould perhaps be a
blessing to this country if they would stay ad-
ourned. Prince Wrede, liberal and highminded
man, (whose father had been raised from a private
citizen to that Of prince, Of his merito-
rious services rendered to his country had used his
best endeavors in having certain useful and popu-
lar acts paused; but was defeated in every instance
man has resigned his seatin disgust. He was one
Of the few lights that shone in that body. The EN-
peror of Russia since his return from the embrace
Of the pope, has not changed his views much in re-
gard to the Catholics residing in his dominions
Prosecutions are the order of the day SINCE as well
as before. Having satisfied himself that the pope
permits no other (and particularly the Greek) re-
ligious denominations in his States the emperor is
determined to act pope in Russia.
The late Polish revolution is a thing that has
been. Having been instigated by the priests and
the nobility, it could end otherwise than /, has
done. The bullets used were cast in church, and
consecrated by the priests. At the attack and
in the professions, they walked ahead of the insur-
gents, carrying small white flags, on which were
painted g" H. s." Cracow in particular is now close
ly guarded, and even funerals are watched to see
that no living escape in the collins. No more than
three persons are permitted to attend any funeral
and at night every person is obliged to carry a Ian
thern. II has been determined that the city of Cra
COW shall still he considered "republic"! but shall
have garrison of Russian Prussian, and Austrian
troops alternately. There is a great deal of sym.
pathy prevailing for the Poles-partlcularly in
France. In Paris alone, upwards Of 100000 francs
have been collected. 1t frequently happens that
when Louis Philippe is taking ride, he is greeted
by shouts Of "vive Ia Pologne!n to which he Is
obliged to bow and smile. Prussia dictated per-
haps by fears, is also determined to appear very lib
era towards the Poles. The prisoners who fell into
tne nanus vi inc NussldhS ana AuStrlanS, are all
anxious to be tried by Prussan authority Out of
some $50 lately tried at Cracow by the Prussian
commissioners Hobo, 2l5 we're declared innocent,
and set at liberty at once. In consequence of this,
the Russian authorities have prohibited Prussian
subjects from entering Russian Poland, which will
have tendency of still more increasing the distress
already prevailing in that unhappy country. The
Pennsylvania pententiary system, upon which such
large sum of money has already been expended in
Prussia, is to be abandoned, the punishment being
considered too severe, and being the cause Of hume
roqs suicides. The late attempt upon the life Of Louis
Philippe has created great sensation throughout all
Europe. Should Lecomte have succeeded, a revo-
luton would certainly have been the consequence,
rs it is generally believed that such will be the case
after his death. In this instance the governments Of
Europe would not have been prepared; but since,
steps are taking to increase military and police, so
as not be caught mapping. The attempt is totally
disconnected with any political movement, although
some Of the papers would like to make it appear
different. Lecomte having served his country long
and faithfully, and having lately been dismissed from
situation in the forest Of Fonainebleau, applied