The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-20

Offices within the reach of al,-was the order of tn
day, and came under discussion. As unanimous a
the Americans may be upon this subject, and little
doubt may exist in their minds, as to the rights o.
individuals expressed in the above paragraph must
be borne In mind that Germany, the opinion Of the
public is very much divided in regard to this matter
and that vast amount Of prejudice was to be over
come in establishing political equality among all tho
citizens Of the German Confederacy. 1t will be re
membered how strenuously the enemies of popular
government opposed universal franchise, how tena-
ciously the old system Of privileged classes of titles
and aristocratic distinctions, chung to by q not
contemplate number Of the trainers OF the pre-
sent enlightened and incompatible Constitution Of the
United States. And then, it must BIZ remembered,
that the Americans sprung from a people whose
political institutions were, at that time the most
liberal and favorable in the world they were,
by their geographical position partially re-
moved from the influence of the corrupt upper
classes and the propagation of notions Of liberty
and independence was a natural and necessary con-
sequence their relation to the mother country and
the distance which separated them from their trans
Atlantic rulers When contrast with this the
dion of the German people, borne down and oppressed
by ruthless tyrants their energies crushed the
OF improvement effectuay taken from them even the
right OF changing ideas by word or letter, in
consider the powerful influence which the aristocras
the privileged classes the all mighty office holders have
until very recently, exercised the people-then we
will be better enabled to appreciate the conduct of the
Frankfort Parliament then will be prepared to give
it credit for its bold and liberal action in this
at least, however slow it may be to give the people
their rights and to fulfil its duties in other matters
But 10: scarcely have we time to congratulate the
people upon this point, when another of the
body gives us new cause for regret. What it gave
with hand, it takes away with the other mmedi-
ately after the vote, by which the above mentioned
psragra phi adopted proposition made to the
Parliament, to abolish the nobility likewise, that
Parliament had shown the least consistency in its
principles it would either have passed this proposition,
rejected IT, the ground that the adjustment the
privileged classes already comprised the adjustment
nobility, and made farther action upon the subject
unnecessary; but such thing. The Parliament by
vote of $50 against 1866 refused pass the PROPOSE
tione after variety of had to show
the injustice the inexpediency, and the impracticab
ty OF aboshing class of people that comprised with
in IL the better part Of the German nation, "among
whom alone, intelligence and patriotism to be
1ound.n The majority of the Parliament seemed to
cast their votes upon the proposition passed
poor compliment on the German nation at large;
for, however numerous the nobility may be, it
can contain more than about one.fourth Of the popu
lation and three fourths of the people by the
vote of their official representatives, declared to be
void ofsintegence and patriotism b. this vote.
class of individuals is declared to be SUPERIOR moral
and social point Of view, than the rest Of mankind;
and this superiority depends merely upon the ACCT
dent of BIRTH institution is officially recog uized by
the representatives of the people, themselves owing
their origin to revolution which is In direct conflict
equality which declared imms liatey before the
vote upon the last named proposition was taken;
h;cb ana 4a Of S tns
system of oppression and injustice to the many,
which has lost all meaning, all claims, to a
reasonable consideration in the present time Of
luton and progress. But it not live long; nobi
ty with all its oppression, its disregard Of the funda
ntal principles of liberty and equality, will eventu
sinking vortex the monarchica system, to which it is,
at present. faithful and powerful prop, natural and
unalienable ally
In the session of the 4th inst the 18th paragraph Of
the fundamental principles was discussed. Orgi-
contained provisions in regard to the proceedings
in criminal and civil cases; but as 1t was finally
adopted 1t also provides for the adjustment Of capital
punishme mt in all cases, except SUCH where 1t
scribed by martial law; the punishment of branding
and Of public exposure and corporesl punishment Is
likewise abolished will not undertake to examine,
whether 1t the province Of constituent conven-
ton pass laws in regard the punishment of crim
nails, whether such matters do not properly belong
the legislative bodies Of the several States Govern
ments In the nited States such points definitely
settled and know that it will be considered strange
and ridiculous for body whose task to frame sys
TENS of government to anticipate the functions
of that authority which it is to create. But then 1t
must again be recoected that the Germans novices
in all parliamentary proceeGings that their several
duties and rights not clearly understood by Them
and that aggression from their true course is for this
reason, much more pardonable, than similar error
would be in the statesmen Of the established and set
tied Republic Of America Even there it is a tender
cation between the authority of the General Govern
ment and the rights Of the States, notwithstanding
the plain and simple language Of the constitution
and much party and contention has arisen
this subject Let it suffice, therefore, to acknowledge
the liberal taken by the Parliament in abolishing
of humanity let us give credit to this otherwise not
over liberal body for surpassipg in one instance at
can Union. All philanthropists, all friends of hui
manity, will rejoice at the idea, that this cruel,
ed by one of the principal powers Of the world, by
a nation of forty. five millions of souls. But the
humanity not easily aceved. If the advocates
Of this repusive system the enemies of progress and
civilization, had not been Too secureif they had not
thought it impossibty to be defeated it is probable
that they would have been victorious. When they
discovered their real danger these advocates Of dark
ness, among whom, to their shame be it said, nearly
all Of the clergy priests and pastors contained in the
Parliament, are to be found They strained every
nerve to defeat the measure They sought least to
postpone it, by declaring that subject Of such vast
Importance had not been duly considered and discuss
ed and to gain time, in this manner to prepare for
late and proved unavailng. The local legislatures of
Prussia and Austria have likewise abolished capital
punishment.
Another session of great interest mat Of the 18th
August in which the report Of the Committee Legs
ation in regard to the amnesty Of the exied political
criminals especially Hecker, the order Of the day.
Your readers probably aware that, upon the out
break of the connections last spring. this Hecker and
his followers, proclaimed the republic in Baden, and
attempted to establish it by force 1t proba.
BILE that than two thirds of the citizens of Baden
were in favor Of the republic, and vast army joined
Hecker in his attempts But the then existing govern
ment called to its help the military of four five other
States, Wurtemberg Bavaria, Austria, SC, and, by
means OF vast superiority OF numbers, crushed the
rebels as they are called Those of them that fell into
the hands Of the authorities, imprisoned, and
tried consprators and traitors, and those that
capped, declared in exile Now Hecker the lead
of the republican party elected to the National
Parliament by district in Baden, and his constituents
demanded that he be recalled and allowed to take his
seat in the convention. The subject referred to
the Committee legislation who reported in the
sion of the 7th August The discussion this report
called forth all the energy Of the left side who, Of
course, in favor Of Heckers being recalled but the
right side (haying great Majority are bitterly op
posed to him, and wish to subject him to the utmost
rgor Of the law The debate became exciting that
general uproar in which of the speakers of the
left was torn from the tribune ensued, and the
sion had to be adjourned.
As the spectators In the gallery had taken part in tn
uprcar the doors were closed next day, and the
frances guarded by military. Only the reporters Of
newspapers were admitted After the left had deman
ed satisfaction for the insults offered to Of their