The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-09
Our German Correspondence.


OuT pOaCruces
BgRLrv, July o, 1919.
The Reaction IN Germany Abolition ofths Rights
Of Suffrage, &c &c.
The London papers giving, at present, such CO.
pious extracts from the German journals, and the
postal communication between this country and
England, and between England and the United
States, having been so much accelerated through
the weekly packets from Liverpool, that you are
regularly in possession of the latest news from
these parts, in less than three weeks, am afraid
am often forestalled in the accounts give you of
what is passing here. However, as have not
written for some time, you may be DESTROYS of
hearing direct from this quarter again.
The un.oward state of things which described
in my last, continues to subsst, and the great po-
htical convulsion that commenced so auspiciously
last year, and through which Germany appeared to
have thrown off the chains that had oppressed her
for so many ages, seems to have had other re-
suit than to rivet them still closer. The counter
revolution has been complete, and every thing in
this kingdom is revolving back towards the ancicn
regime; laws are issued by the ministry, and
confirmed by the King, In the same manner
as In the most palmy days OF absolute mOnar-
chy, with hardly a reference to the future ap-
proyal OF the representatives. OF the nation, which,
indeed, appears TO be considered as quite SUPERB
rogatory.
The opening Of the Chambers, which, according
to the constitution OF December 5, ought to have
taken place in the early part of this month, has
been postponed for STA weeks, ostenslbly on ac-
count Of the disturbances in the provinces
OF the kingdom and the south OF Germany You
are aware that the second Chamber was dissolved,
April "a, tor no other reason than that ministers
were in minority on several motions made by
the popular PARTY, who were joined by the right
centre (he moderates), and who contended that
the mlnistry's declaring Berlin in state OF siege
"a MI pOgIp and nuhff hs
ately rescinded. This decision having passed by
strong majority, the only constitutional measure
lett to ministers was to resign, the other alter
natve-that 81 appealing to the people by new
electons-had been tried already without effects
but the ideas of Messrs. Msnteuicl and Branden-
burgh, on constitutional government, are different
from those usually entertainer, and, instead et re-
tring themselves, they thought proper to send the
Chambers to the right about, and to secure more
obsequous parliament by altering the law of cleo
ton; The FIRST Chamber beng elected by property
qualification, is chiefly composed Of members of
the feudal and moneyed arstocracy, who agreed to
every thing The mluister laid before them; and 1t
was, therefore,, thought sufficient to prorogue it;
but the second being chosen by universal suffrage,
IT was easily 10 be fureseen that d new election on
the same principle would only serve to strengthen
the democratic party, and reduce the Ministerial
CLIQUE to a still more hopeless minority.
The scheme hit upon In this dilemma, was wor-
thy Of a Machiave 1t consisted In issuing law
by which property qualification is in reality OBJ
tanned, although the semblance of universal suf-
frage is left, which the King had repeatedly pro-
missed to 2kspt, but which by this maneuvre is
reduced tevsfnerc fiction. You will Judge of the
ingenuity Of this deectabe invention, by the fol-
lowing particulars The voters are divided into
taxes land, houses, trade licenses, and paro-
chlal dues, down 10 90 thaers per anuum, forming
the hrst class: the next, who pay tom % th4lers
down to 20 VIII be the second class while the third
Is composed Of such IA pay from IL thaers down.
wards; and finally, OF those who pay no direct
taxes at all, as aborers, journeymen, servants,
Nc. You must recollrct, by the bye, that
there Is no direct election here, but the
voters (alr,cakie,) have TO tx upon certain
number Of electors (tcahinanner) for each district,
who are then TO meet and choose the member Tor
the Chamber by majority. Now, according to
this new law, each class is entitled TO vote for an
equal number OF electors. For instance, IN Berlin,
where there are AGO 900 nhabltants the lists made
outby the CIVIC authorities show that 1000 voters
belong 10 Tie FIRST class, 1000 to the second, and
$1,000 to the thlrd-each having 10 choose an equal
number OF electors, who return eight members 10
the second Chamber. Thus you will perceive
that the Votes OF the two thousand individuals
composing the first class 30 exactly as tar those
of the seventy-two thousand included in the third;
or, In other terms, the suffrage OF single indl-
vidual of the more favored orders of society is
equivalent TO that OF thrtyslx helots of the Parlah
caste. OF course. II is expected that, by this
means, the majority In the Chambers Will be Sc
cured 10 the representatives, of the united aristo-
crazy Of birth and OF wealth. while the kings con-
science is soothed by the preservation OF AT least
the semblancc of universal suffrage, though rem
dered perfectly nugatory in its eects thus Keeping
" the word o promise to the ear, and breaking il to
the sense"
The democrats, Justly considering this new law
an iniraction on the CcfToyfr constitution,
have mostly determined not TO vote at the cleo
lions. In this case, the mns,erieiIss VIII have "
all their own way, and not many liberals are likely
toget INTO the new Chamber. One OF the first bills
brought IN by government will be an income tax,
as money is wanted, and must be had anyhow.
Ii remains TO be seen whether the landowners and
ma ed M n ufx p,trlta n
composed Ct, and who are now maxim such loud
proiestations ii their loyalty and devotion TO the
King, willagree TO open their purses wide enough
for the demands made upon them.
Two claws" have been issued lately, in the
manner alluded to above relative to the press,
and lettering IL 10 such degree as 10 render the
old censorship desirable in comparison In fact,
all opposition journals will be pat stop to entirely.
A copy OF every paper has to be deposited at the
police, signed by the editor, who, as well as all
concerned ~ The publication, will be proceeded
against IN case anything rerrehensblc IL met with
in the paper. The other law is against associations
aud meetings, which are subject TO the consent of
the police, and are only allowed 10 take place In
the presence OF an officer, who can dissolve the
meeting al any time he thinks proper riot act,
and other stfin gent measures are expected before
the state cf siege IL raised under which this unlor
tunae capital has been groaniog tor the last eight
months.
Your new ambassador AZ the court OF Prussia,
Hon. Mr.. HenDegan, was presented TO the King,
IN private audience, ast Saturday week We
were oil very sorry 90 lose MAJOR Douelson, who
had made himself generally respected during his
residence ut Berlin, and Is followed to Frankfort
by our beet wishes in has behalf and in that of
his amlabc family. HIS successor Is well known
as one Of your prominent statesmen, and, at a mo-
ment when all the liberal minded portion of the
population turn longing eye towards the United
States and lie glorious republican institutions ~ ~
most fortunate circumstance that your prese na-
tives men whose personal character cannot tail
90 enhance the feelings of admlraiI-n and esteem
entertained for Amonca and her free.bon citizens
A. Il.
Railroad Mismsnage ment.