The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-17
BERlIN. March Is. 1917


1"e Prassian STATES Geasral Prussian Politics
The publication of the decree announcing the nten
ton Of the King Of Prussia to convoke an assembly of
the states General has caused less excitement here
than appears to have done in Eng
land The is that the English and some of the
French organs Of public opinion mistake the States
eral for Parliament House Of Peers and Deputies
and the Royal decree for constitution whereas people
In TINS country view tho whole affair the light OF
measure OF purely admins trative policy In fact tho
public mind had for years been prepared to expect
an enactment Of u more comprehensive nature the
establishment Of liberal form of government with
constitutional checks and guarantee. in
dependent OF the will and pleasure of ROYALTY and
Dureaucracy-and far from being satisfied with what
nave received they are inclined TO grumbc at the
gut being curtailed Of its anticipated fair proper
lions" we have asked for BREAD saws a Prussan
writer OF come note whose pamphlet by the way was
seized by the police almost ssued and they
nave given US stone' Unfay however US were
the first impressions created by the document IN ques
and wholesome state Of feeling for after all accordn
TO the tre old provcrb 1t Is better to half oa
than bread Whatever the institutions NAV he ihir
written letter Of far lees importance than the sprit Of
| the nation. There German kingdoms and pricpa
ties such as saxony Bavaria Iesse &c. sc shat are
PROVIDED with constitutions framed and modelled the
most approved principles Of the Bentham school nil
very fine and grand to look at but every useful
ana purpose very little better than much waste M
The oharfe thing and the King and his minis
tiers do anotherthe former procaims universal tolera-
pcrsecutc German catholics
FRIENDS OF Light" and the Jews, that Is to say the
poor ones)the former guarantees liberty Of the press
and the latter appoint whole posse Of censors support
Ell by guerrilla OF l7ouehards. And why II all this
Because the bulk OF the people not sufficiently alive
TO the value OF political rghts-hc spirit of the nation
OF the masses Is not on level with their
IT, then the Prussians ripe for political liberty they
VIII have i-if they III for constitution they viii
get one and whether they will shown bv the
steps they take to widen the sphere Of action
granted them by the DEGREES Of February But to ina
CINE that the States General Of Prussia will be a fc
sime OF the French eafs gfn6raur OF 1889 Is absurd
There are materials In this country for Mrabeau
Sieyes and the national character il as Opposite a.
possible To that Of their volatile and naammable neigh
bors beyond the Rhine. FtHine i,nie ~ the fayorte
adagc OF Germany and the Germans. aud whatever
done sure not TO be done quickly But what OF that
Political freedom Is not the grow tn oy day and the
French tree of liberty which blofsomed and bore fruit a.
soon us was planted, IL. after all but scurvy shrub
In comparison with the old English oak whose hardy
strength and native yigor equally apparent ia the
tmcworn name of Britain herself the verdant aud
lusty youth Of her trans Atlantic offspring
ne meeting OF the States Ia to take place the nth
April aud apartments in the Royal chaeau are fitting
up for their reception is whether the pub
lie will be admitted at the opening soennity or whether
that privilege will be confined to favored few;
the deliberations they will most probably be held In
cret and only extracts Of them published in the Sats
Gazette, emitting the Of the speakers and all
other extraneous matter. My next will give you fur
thcr information on the subject. A. u.