Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-30
PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS OF GERMANY.
Lieut.. J. NJ. GILLrss, U. S. N, Washington.

Mr.. WHEAToN's DISCOURSE ON THE PROGRESS AND
PRosPEcTs OF GERMANY.-An interesting discourse
with this title was delivered by Mr.. WHEATON, our
late Minister to Prussia before the Phi Beta Kappa
Society of Brown University, on the lst of Sepem-
Der. Mr. Wheaton resided many years in Germa-
ny, and observed its condition with the eye of
statesman and philanthropst. We give an extract
or two a sample OF the vein Of strong sense which
peryades the work. OF the late Assembly of the
States Of the Kingdom of Prussia Mr.. WHEATON
says:
The in which these powers exercised in the
discussions of the assembly is upon the WHOLE highly
able TO the ultimate Of this experiment The previous
training of the deputies in the deliberations of the Provincial
States has developed much greater OF parliamentary
practical craftsmanship than was supposed to exist
in that enlightened country They shown greater
spirit OF moderation than might have been looked for from the
frequent disappointment Of their hopes This is especially the
with the Rhneandes and the East Prussans who were
supposed entertain extreme opinions and actious views
but who have unequivocay shown their desire the main
enancc Of the Prusan monarchy and the injustice OF the
suspicion with which the Rhneanders have been treated if
they wished again to become Fench desired than the
complete development OF free Institutions They certainly
sire to retain the written codes Of law established the time
when the Rhine province formed part of the French empire
and which they have been long accustomed together
with the right of trial by jury in criminal cases. the publ
city Of judicial proceedings both civil and criminal At the
time the people OF that province warmly attached
to the German fatherland those any other part Of the
Prusan monarchy. The time gone by when nations can
I've apporioned by geographical boundaries by and
mountains. The moral distinctions OF origin and race are
what unite nations together and separate them from each
other Nor we TO look for any sudden and violent effort
the part OF portion Of the Prussan people obtan
further concessions from their sovereign German enthusiasm
though decp-seatcd is patient and enduring and breaks
in violent acts only at long intervals and urgent provoca
ton. The social revolution Of Prussia has been long
out the aid Of popular violence and her political REFORM
may be hoped, will be accomplished in the manner by
"a pacific compromise between the Prince aud People"
Again, concerning the progress of freedom Of dis
cussion and the approaching eventual emancipation
of the press, Mr.W. remarks:
"The wall Of separation between her etcred and the
active world IS now broken down, and they beginning to
see the necessity 81 using the language and the same
literature for all classes of society The habit OF discussing
public affairs IN the national aud provincial diets and the in
PRODUCTION OF public and oral proceedings in the courts OF JUS
ce must soon form class Of public men such as exist IN
every free country, and only be formed by pub
lie lite at active PRACTICAL The establishment Of the
Customs League by which the great majority of the German
People and States, and hose the most enlightened bound
together by the powerful bonds of commercial and financial in
tcrest, has been followed Ivy the construction Of railroads,
dating throughout her wlley-extended teutoyconnecng
the Mediterranean with the North Sea and the Babe, and
forming INKS ~ one unbroken chain OF communication, by
which the ancient intercourse between Europe and Asa
through Egypt will cord and continued throughout the
northern hemisphere The Of Mexico until encircles
the globe These magnificent improvements IN material in'e
must iniaiby operate trora interests Ihe opsta-
ces TO free commercial Intercourse between the different Ger
man states and betwccn them and The rest OF the world be-
ing removed and that intercourse facilitated by the wonderful
inventions OF mechanical science, cemog with new DIS
coyeres is evident that the same means contribute 10
The diffusion Of political knowledge among al those different
nations II commercial intercourse is thus promoted thu free
exchange OF ideas and opinions cannot be prevented ny any
convances however subtle, which the ingenuity Of despoc
power devise"