The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-23

done lar more Tor the cause Of Pfussan ascendant
cy than the empty debates of Frankfort, or The I'M
fulfilled pledges OF last year. Baden has literally |
been conquered and occupied by Prussian army, |
which holds very much the language OF a conquer
ing power. Some twenty of the MINOR princes OF
Southern and Central Germany are already self
medazed, for they are eager TO dlvest themselves
of sovereign independence they have not the
power to defend, and TO become what they strictly
were of old--ihe peers Of Germanic empire.
Austria, Bavaria and Wurtemberg alone retain
an independent course, which they have taken
means 10 preserve and to defend. But Northern
Germany is irresstbly drawn towards the Prus-
sian combination and that Is precisely the change
which is most interesting to the commercial and
political relations OF this country, from our con-
neXlon with Hamburger, Hanover, and the States
of the northern coast
From the first formation Of the Prussian Com
mercla League, the efforts Of the cabinet of Berlin
have been constantly directed 10 the acquisition OF
the Hansealic towns, and OF those States which
are naturally IN possession OF the maritime COM
merce Of Germany. These States, however,
formed commercial union Of their own, differing
from that of Prussia by the relative moderation OF
their import duties. Whilst, therefore, Prussia
was continually solicited, by her commercial allies
the south, to persevere in system OF high duties
and protective tariffs, her advances TO her more
immediate neghbors were invariably repealed as
long as they were couched in terms obviously iniu
rious to their foreign trade Political events APP
pear at this time to have increased the probability
that some arrangement Will be effected but po-
teal events have not altered the permanent interests
place them in dependence upon herself, she must
the more carefully respect those principles of COM
mercial freedom which their independence has
hitherto secured.
Tie prosperity of commercial port. evidently
depends as neuch upon its connexon with an inland
population Of producers and consumers upon its
foreign relations: Liverpool Is the port OF the
manufacturing districts of England, even more
than it is the port of the American trade and on
the opposite coast Of Great Britain the Humber
serves at once as the outlet of Yorkshire, and the
inlet OF our imports from the north OF Europe. To
connect these ports with the manufacturing districts
has been the first and most important object of our
system of railroads On the continent, however,
strange notion has long prevailed, that some very
great benefit was conferred upon a, place of trade
by converting it into what is termed " free port ;"
that Is to say, by solatng 1t from the land to which
il belongs by line Of inland omhouses, which
leave II open to the sea, that duties are colec-
ted, not on landing merchandise, but on Its entry
for I'M and consumption. A city placed is in
fact large warehouse, and persons living in it
may receive all commodities free of duty yet, as
matter OF public isterest, all the advantages of
this system are equally attained by the intro klction
OF free warehouses, with the right land and sell
goods in bond but the existence of line of Gus
tom houses which interceDts the freedom of COM
nuncatlon on the side of the land is an evil pro.
badly greater Than the existence of such custom
houses On the coast. Such is from various cir
cumstances pretty nearly the present position of
the principal trading cities on the northern coast
| Of Germany. They ENJOY great freedom of trade
line Of custom-houses from the great mass of
German consumers whom ii is their principal bu-
smess to supply By raising .he duties on this line
nousy injured, though they might retaiate by
other restrictions on the exports transmitted to
them for shipment. But general principle
the Interests OF countries so situated are the same,
and ought to be made the subject OF a common
| agreement.
Under these circumstances, we see no reason to
apprehend tina. the unien Of Ilambugh and the
other Northern ports with the commercial league,
OF which Prussia the head, will be attended wth
consequences injurious either to their own mer-
camille prosperity, or TO their relations with our
selves. For IT il be great political object with
! Prussia 10 extend her influence TO the Northern
coast, II Is evident that such an union can only be
l established and perpetuated by conditions which
may prove beneficial to all parties. The yoke of
foreign or domestic power would prove an in
tolerasle oppression to such city MS Hambugh if
! II interrupted the mercantile connections which
have been the growth of centuries, or sacrificed
/ the welfare OF industrious end independent
community TO some ill-dgested scheme of political
unity. Hamburger 10 not called upon TO make any
Sacrifices for such an object since, in giving her
sell TO The IIusslan league, she bestows more than
she l. likely 10 receive; whereas, the interests
which the Court OF Berlin is bound to respect in
these trading cities are also the real interests OF the
nation.
II deserves ALEC TO be borne in mind that the ac-
cession ct these important States TO the Prussian
I system would bring with il a powerful reinforce
ment 10 the cause Of commercial liberty. The
strength OF the protective party In Germany lies in
The South, and IL the clamor of their organs in
Bavaria and Wurtemberg which has mainly
tended to raise rather than to lower the scale of
duties IN the Zoverein. Probably the interests of
Prussia herself would have been more etIectualy
promoted, even in the formation Of that associ-
alton, by a close alliance with the system of low
duties IN the North, than by the ad option Of the
hsh duties demanded by the South. But political
events have now weakened the CONF cction of Prus-
sla with the South, whilst they are extending her
influence in the North; and If this change is TO as
sumo definite and permanent shape, IL can hardly
iall TO induce the Pfusslan government to throw
its weight more decidedly into the scale of com.
mercldl ireeGem Any attempt TO incorporate the
! Northern cities by political or military means
wosld create excessive discomfort, because il
would inure the practical interests of those ports
and trade would at once be driven by the restric-
tlons OF protective system from the basins of
Bremen and llamburgb TO the depots of contraband
goets In Holland, Belgium and Iieliroland. We
have, therefore, great confidence that the North
ern States will either Join the League Of the Three
Mugs upon terms which will protect and improve
their vital commercial interests, or that they vail
preserve Their Independence.
The River Plate Question.
TIE CONTINUED iNfERFERENcE or THE FRENCH
eovERNMENT-T DEPARTURE OF A NEW Ex-
rEpTr1oN-THE roUssIN AFFAIR IN wATuISG roN,
ETC.
[From the London Times, Oct al
The mail for Brazil and Buenos Ayres. which
leaves London this day, will take out distinct IN
timaton that the intentions OF the French govern
ment with reference 10 fresh expedition ihto the
River Plate had been ovsrsiaied; that no military
armament 10 now conteUI lated NJ Breet; and that
the superior officer who succeeds Admiral Lcpre-
dour IN the River Plate will sail IN command OF n
squadron Of fresh vessels merely TO relieve the ships
and crews which have already served their full time
on that station, and are recalled. We rejoice to find
that this expedition is dsayowed or abandoned, not
from eny unworthy or misplaced jealousy of its re-
suits, but from conviction that, as IN the case Of
the expedition projected some years ago against
Madagascar, such an enterprise would lead 10 no
Il suit at all, unless II were undertaken on scale
lar exceeding that OF the forces which the French