The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-22
Highly Interesting from Germany.
FRANKFoRT-oN-THR-MAIN, May Is, lS4S
Meeting of the German Congress.

FRANKFoRT-oN-THE-M MAIN, May Is, l84S
Meeting of the German Congress.
The grand epoch of the age for Germany has
arrived, and the city that has been witness to all
the pompous ceremonies of the old German empire
for ages, is now the battlefield of the people
The elections in accordance with the spirit of the
recent revolutions that have shaken the Germanic
confederation to its very foundation, are now ter
minated, and about five hundred of the deputies to
the constituting assembly have already handed in
their credentials. The new parliament, as 1t is
termed, will number about seven hundred but
quorum being present on the 18th inst, the assem-
bly, was solemnly constituted and proceeded to bu-
siness. The principal church of Frankfort has
been handsomely arranged for the reception of the
representatives OF the people, and accommodates
about fifteen hundred spectators besides.
The first sitting was opened with no other cere-
mony than the ringing OF all The bells of the city
churches, and plain and solemn procession Of
the deputies to the seat of their labOrs where
they were received with three times three by the
assembled multitude, and cries of {" Long live the
fatherland-long live the German people," The
moment solemn one as all are convinced,
| that instead OF being the termination of the con-
vusions that are now roofing up the very founda-
tons OF society, In political and social sense
merely the commencement of series of battles
that threaten to be long and bloody, and whose
probable termination no human foresight can
fathom. Having proceeded to business with the
Oldest member as president, and the youngest as
secretary, provisional officers were elected for one
month, and the gentlemen chosen inspire the high
est confidence. Won Gagem, of Hesse Darmstadt,
received an overwhelming majority for President,
and Won Soixon, of Mannheim, received quite as
unanimous vote for the Vice Presidency Both
Of these noble men have for years fought the bat
ties OF the people, opposition to the tyranny of
royalty, and have been hated and persecued as Bit
ter radicals; they now stand at the head of the
noble army, which their untiring efforts have at
last assembled on the battle field and God speed
them victory. The assembly contains many of
the most brilliant men Of this noble country; but
am sorry to say that many Of the members are also
to pc considered stars tar OF very inferior magn-
LETT at home the victims OF political intrigue of
dictionary Efforts use the mldest term political
ignorance OF their constituents who perfect
~ taken aback by the unexpected waves Of liberty
that are flowing over them as to be blind to their
best interests In the selection of their candidates
All eyes turned to the United States, and am
proud to say that our noble constitution Is every
where looked upon as the grand model for the re-
seen large placards announcing the declaration of
independence and the constitution Of the North
American republic, translated into German, and
tor sale at a price calculated for the masses. In
are intimately acquainted with our affairs, from
long residence travel in our country, have been
elected members of the assembly; and, | may
say, with especial reference to these qualifications.
Among these are Baron Won Rome, we'll known
as Prussian dipomatist in Washington, who has
recently made himself very popular In Berlin, by
a celebrated speech on American affairs Profess
| sor Frederick Won Raumer, whose late visit to the
United States, and work on our institutions have
made him well known to the American people;
and Professor Tellkampf, formerly of the Union
and Columbia colleges of the State of New York.
To the latter gentlemen am indebted for an ex-
oollo emf on tho Of fba md all 81
parliamentary documents which are distributed to
the members. Nearly all the sessions, so far have
been consumed In organization, and all the men,
bers are divided into fifteen divisions, for the Sc
lection of standing committees-each division Sc
Letting member from its body This division is
considered necessary here, in order to let the
members have an opportunity OF becoming ac-
qualnted with a certain member, as the vast mao-
ry are perfectly strange to each other and totally
unacquained with their respective qualifications.
The committee the order of business, is ex-
expected to report to-day, when things will pro-
coed with more system. The principal member of
textbook is Jefferson's Manual; we may, there
fore, expect as near approximation to our order
OF business, as existing circumstances will allow.
Notwithstanding the absence OF any clear party
question as yet, to draw the lines between dffc-
rent grades of political feeling, there is neverhe-
less, already quite clear distinction into radicals
liberals and conservatives; the latter, among whom
are several Catholic priests in their clerical robes,
small but determined band of bitter radicals have
seated themselves on the extreme left these are
distinguished by tremendous boards, necks d Ia
Byron, student like dress on the whole, wild and
lncoherent gestures, and evidently ready to
fight mortal battle waging war to the knife
against all crowned heads, and ready to proclaim
the republic at any moment when they have the
remOtest hope OF success, perfectly indifferent as
to consequences. Their number will evidently in
crease decrease, according IN the tactics of their
opponents; and IT the latter dare 70 remain conser-
vative, the liberals of the centre will go over to
them, and the fighting will then become severe
and earnest From the general appearance of the
assembly at present, my fears that the extreme
moderate party-ln favor of negotiating with the
present existing governments instead of taking
things, in their own handsy-wl so predominant,
that the people will take the affair in their own
hands, and headed by their determined radical
leaders, will drive the new German Parliament to
the four winds. ! say this is not at all impossible
and the probability of It is openly discussed by
many of the members. They have resolved not to
dissolve themselves if they should be obliged to
fly but to take refuge in some other city, and
tInue their proceedings under the protection of the
National Guard or standing armies. | am con-
vlnced that did not every man of experience fear
awful social revolution, and reign of terror, on
the proclamation of the republic, that we would
have that form of government tomorrow.
Many of the liberal consttutonalists tell me that
they would consider republic, such as we have,
perfect paradise in comparison with their present
condition; but the grand question is, how make so
giant spring with so little preparation, and with
no transition -,hey fear CONFUSION in the body
prolific, which would lead to anarchy and horror.
The radical party in the constituting assembly look
on their body one whose power and duty il is
destroy all that exists and constitute entirely
anew, independent of existing forms or interests;
the liberals desire to regencrate the country the
broadcast democratic basis, consistent with the ex-
istence of constitutional monarchy, and to do
this in conference with existing powers and inter-
ests, so as to clash as little as possible, and in
this way avoid bloodshed pave the way. to
a gradual and lasting development of republican
institutions, and restore confidence TO manufac-
lures and commerce the loss of which alone
threatens to plunge the whole country In bank
ruptcy, and reduce the operative classes to state
of hunger. 1t is needless to say that the conser-
natives enemies to every interest of the people,