The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-16


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to come. in possssslon, Of constitutional rights,
and to become a. free az the other Scandina-
vians are. But. the aristocratic party within
the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein re-
solved to forward their selfish interests, and
Tor that purpose to attempt to bring about
a separation of these duchies from the kingdom of
Denmark. AS the aristocratlc party was supported
IN Hosteip by the people in general, our ideas OF
the sovereignty OF the people obllge us to acknow-
ledge that their attempts to indicate the indepen-
dence Of Holsleln are detensibe though il must
not be forgotten that virtue Of the treaties that
bind Holsten to Denmark, this latter country can.
not be said to have overstepped its legal rights by
attempting to prevent the separation of Holstein
In regard to Schleswig, the case IS quite differ
emit; because there the majority Of the people wish
that the union with Denmark shall continue, and
il is only the aristocratc party, and part of the
German population, that are bent on bringing about
separation from Denmark. This plan had long
been entertained by the chiefs of the arstocratic
party there, and we cannot doubt that they had
been encouraged by Prussia and Hanover to exc
cute their treacherous designs. The chiefs of the
aristocratic party are the princes OF Augusten-
burg and> Gluchsburg, who are nearly con-
nected with the present king of Denmark by re-
lationshp. But these princes were the very
first to raise the standard Of rsvolt--which took
place on the Path of March-on the very
day that the king of Denmark committed the af-
fairs OF the State into the hands Of liberal minis
try. On that day, the prince OF Noer-the young
with about two hundred soldiers of the garrison
for the town and fortress of Rendsburg. On his
arrival there, he assembled the troops, and told
them that as the liberal party had laid violent
hands on the king of Copenhagen, and secured his
person, he had thought it his duty to put himself
ut the head Of the government in the kings name
One Of the officers, the brave lieutenant Mathe-
son. stepping forward, said that the latest and most
positive news from Copenhagen affirmed that the
king had chosen liberal ministry, agreeable to
the wish of the people, but that his majesty had
nevertheless acted from his own incnatons
Other officers then called out loudly, at Is then
false. II is revolt The prince became pale at
these words, and said with a trembling voice:-
"You may call me scoundrel, If / do not lay
down the command In the hands of the king, as
soon as he Is free" How he kept his words, is
best proved by the subsequent events.
The arlstocratic party soon got the aid Of the
Holstein and Schleswig from Denmark--an aid
which the kings of Prussia and Hanover were the
more DESTROYS to give, as they hoped to turn the
attention OF their own people from the internal af-
fairs OF their respective States, and Of Germany in
general, to foreign ones; which also would give
them opportunity Of displaying their real or preten-
ded feelings OF patriotism, and at the same time of
advancing their ambitious aims. ss.
The German papers have spread the false report
that the inhabitants Of Schleswig are DESTROYS Of
separating themselves from Denmark, for the pur-
pose Of entering the German confederation, and
that the present war Is a popular movement-but
nothing could be farther from the truth in regard
to Me majority Of the inhabitants of that duchy,
who are Danes, and who wish to remain Danes
1t is in reality, nothing but revolt of the aristo-
cratic party headed by the petty princes of Au-
gustenburg and Gluchsburg-wh displeased with
the liberal views of the present king of Denmark,
and also. with his former unworthy conduct as
crown-prince, attempt to separate Schleswig and
Holstein from Denmark, in view to forward their
own individual interests. A4
II is to be observed that the Schleswg Danes
consist chiefly OF mariners and laboring men,
whose income and fortune have been too trifling
to admit them as voters by the existing electoral
law of that duchy; and, consequently that the cleo
tons were in the hands of the nobility, and of
their descendants, and OF the few wealthy mer-
chants of the towns. Thus, what these privileged
pressed opinions of the people, and ought, there
fore, not be taken an evidence of the wishes of
the inhabitants of Schleswig in general.
II is also to be observed that there exists no kind
of right for the German Diet, or any other power,
to interfere in favor of the aristocratic party of
Schleswig The right, hY ihe treaties Of IT'D and
l742, is clearly in faVat q Denmark; and even the
treaty. Of Vienna guaranteed the integrity of the
Danish monarchy. Should the present king of
Denmark die without any legal heir then first Hol-
stein has right, agreeable to the present law Of
succession, to separate from Denmark; but at this
time, only as far the principle OF the sovereignty
ct the people is considered as equal to aDy right
whatever: But in regard to Schlesw;s, thIs prin-
ciple is in favor of Denmark; because there the
sovereign will Of the majority Of the people is in ia
vor of the continuation " the union with Den
mark. No better Evidence can be given that the
Danish and ETieslan population OF SoAleswig repu-
dates the idea Of sepaEatlen nom Denmark, than
that they have beea arming themselves in great
numbers with sickles, Strengthened as lances, to
defend themselves against the invading Germans.
1t IS, indeed, sorrowfu TO see how the Germans
always permit themselves to be the instruments in
the hands of sef-interested aristocrats and de-
signing princes and at this moment, when at
tempting to vindicate their own freedom, they
could scarcely commit greater political error
than irritatc the Scandinayiaps, who else would
have been their hes, allies against Russia, Bw
ae TSd rs Ssys Al s only to BE- bas be-
have akeneyery means to prevent any hostilities
between the Germans and The 'Scandinayians. as
he could not be ignorant that Germany. aud even
France, would be in want of the friendship of the
ScandiAayians IN the ensuing contest with tn.
Eastern giant Still hope that Germany yet will
listen to the voice Of reason, and not attempt to
wage war with the united Scandinavians as
such a war would be deplorable, not only to Ger.
many, but to the cause of freedom in general, Sure
am that, Russia will find herself greatly mis-
sasm shs mas c0 sns On @ Of h.
noble king Of sMeden Win never b: an INSTRUMENT
Of Russian ambition and Of despotism: and should
he even So GROSSLY mistake his duty as to attempt
the like, he would soon be aware that the Swedes
and Norwegians cacEoi be made to spill their
blood In the cause of tyranny.
Sir, remain, with sincere esteem,
Your humble .sryant,
M sf r0f A SwEDE.