The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-29
From the .Nssosrk Daily advertiser.
STATE OF EUROPE---THE GERMAN
POWER. t

The commissions which shake southern and CEN
trail Europethe throes of the great struggle Of the
people for Observation-Disclosures exhibit much that is
blamable, but much must be allowed for the exas-
perated Spirit Of liberty in this fierce war for equal
rights against oppression. Let US look back little.
In northern Italy, the arms of Austria prevailed
and Charles Albert, ambitious and despotc but for
the time the leader of the liberal party, abdcated
and fed his doninions. For this king, personally,
but little sympathy is felt but for the cruel disap
pointment of the hopes of the Italians we all feel
lively sorrow. The beautiful peninsula of Italy,
rich in classic and historical memories, her various
states and Dgd0ms-L0mbaIdy, Sardinia, Tus-
cany, Rome, Naplcs--all bound together by the
common ties Of language, religion, tradition, and
customs, with soil fertile beyond measure, salu-
brious climate, and from her geographical and ma
rhine position admirably calculated for great re-
public-this beautiful peninsula has for ages been
the theatre Of faction, the home of bigotry, and the
abiding place of despOtism. Her signs for liberty
her endeavors for freedom, have been crushed by
the disciplined hosts of Austria and the dcspotic
will of Ferdinand of Naples.
In the present state of Europe, with all eyes
turned towards her, the position occupied by The
German race possesses special interest Few of
US, perhaps, understand the POLITICAL civil or re-
gous condition of the numerous states occupying
that great country which has given birth to such
men as Luther, Coperncus, Herschel, Kant,
Humboldt, Muller Goethe, Schiller, Schlegel, Ru-
bens, Albrecht, Durer, Ostade, Ranck, Handel,
Mozart, Beethoven, Meyerbeer, Mendesohn, Gu
temberg, and host Of others, world famous as phi
osophers poets, inventors, composers, artists, and
astronomers.
Most Of us are familiar, doubtless, with the his
tory Of Germany during the early and middle ages.
"Carolo Magno," or CharIemagne, was the founder
of the great Germanic Empire, a. D. 800,) which
consisted of that large extent of territory embraced
by Austria, Westphalia, Suabia, Bavaria, Lower
and Upper Saxony, Burgundy, the ecclesiastical
prlncipates of the Electoral Rhine, Hesse Cassel,
Belgium, and large number Of smaller states,
duchies and municipalities numbering in all some 300.
The empire was washed on its northern borders by
the Baltic and North seas the blue waters Of the
Adriatlc broke upon its southern shores, whilst
eastward and westward it stretched its gigantic
arms into Russia and Poland, France and the Ne
therlands. For ages this empire was the principal
power of Europe the old Roman empire felt its
strength, and in Spain, France, and England, its
influence prevailed. Diverse and manifold were the
interests, geographical and political, contained with
in the extended limits of this empire which inter-
ests were bound and consolidated together by the
league Of the various barons, dukes, and counts
Seven of the most powerful of these, called elect
ors, were privileged to elect the Emperor. In time,
these elections became a mere matter of form, the
title and Office of Emperor being de Jaco hereditary,
and continuing for long series Of years in the
Hapsburrg family, (l272 to 1867 Rudolph l.,
Macmillan l., Charles w., and Joseph H., were the
most distinguished-of the imperial race of Haps-
burg; and it is somewhat remarkable, that through
q long line of emperors not one proved himself
tyrant, neither did one fall by assassination Pow
eru as was this empire, it met with the fate of ma
tons, and fell
Following upon the heels of the Reformation,
came disseAion jealousy, and discord, till in 1906,
the Germanc Empire, as an empire, was no more.
Francis IL. became Emperor of Austria govern
ing his hereditary family domnions of Austria, IL
lyria, Hungary, Gal!icia, Bohemia, &c; and the
dukes and kings, as independent sovereigns, gov
erned and ruled the remaining portions Of the en-
pire.
During the early wars of Napoleon, Germany
was the battlefield of Europe, and to the republican
doctrines of the French at that period the breaking
asunder of the old empire may be attributed Pre-
vous to the peace of Presburg, December 26th,
1906 the three States of Bavaria, Wurtemberg,
and Baden had taken part as allies Of France
against Russia and Austria and in the succeeding
year l806) sixteen of the German princes dissolved
their connexion with the empire, formed a union
under the name of the Confederation of the
Rhine," joined themselves to the French power,
and acknowledged Napoleon as their PRorEcroR.
This was decisive. The Emperor Francis ii.
resigned his dignity, and close alliance for mu-
tual aid and protection, was thus formed with
France. The rulers Of the several States forming
this confederation did not, however, hold them
selves subject to France and ultimately most of the
other States, Saxony, Wurtzburg, Anhalt, Olden-
burg, &c, were added to the confederation and the
kingdom of Westphalia established with Jerome
Bonaparte at its head Fear of Napoleon doubt
less drove many of the States to this step; and we
find that up to the period of Napoleon's fatal ex-
petition to Russia, (lSl2) the armies of the Rhe-
nish Confederation were united, and fought with
the French. About one hundred thousand Germans
persisted IN the SHOWS Of Russia the frontiers of
Germany were entered by the Cossacks and Prus-
STA, wavering and unwilling in her faith 10 France,
eagerly seized the opportunity and Joined Russia as
harn g. n.
ing of most of the northern States of Germany, to
free themselves from the yoke of France; and, al
the battle OF Lepsic October, 1881 the French
dominion in Germany destroyed, and the
Confederation of the Rhine" dissolved.
Immediately after, Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and
the southern circle Of States Joined the alliance
against Napoleon; and France was compelled to
restore nearly all her German provinces. The he
reditary kings dukes and princes once more ruled
free from PRorEcToRsHIP, save those few who, re-
fusng to join the allies, afterwards nediatized
The peace of Paris MAY Goth, 1910 secured indie
pcndence to the federatvc States.
Next came the return of Napoleon from Elba,
the breaking out anew of the war, and the rapid
and brilliant results of the campaign, terminating
so disastrousy TO France at Waterloo. Germany
now received back, by treaty OF November, 1915,
every foot Of territory which France had retained
two years previous; and thirty eight OF the German
dukes and kings, including Austria and the four
free towns of Frankfort-on-the-Main Hamburg,
Lubec, and Bremen, having in June, 1915, united
together, formed what is called the GERMAS Cow
FEDERATION. Sixty millions of people constitute
the governed, and permanent Diet was, until re-
Gently, to care for the safety and defence of Ger
many.
The principal seeming advantages Of this confed-
Grafton were, that each several prince pledged HIM
self to maintain involate the independence of the
other, to preserve the integrity and internal peace
of the states, and to establish representative constr
tutions and assemblies in each Of the states quar-
rcls between the sovereigns are regulated and de-
cidcd by the General Assembly Of the confedera-
ton, who usually referred the parties to three inn
partial members Of the union-egal equality to all
Christian denominations, the establishment of a
civil law common to all Germany, liberty to emf
CRATE, the right to hold real property in each and
every state, &c, were also enumerated privileges
to be granted the people under this confcdera-
ton. The numerical force of the army of the con-
federation consisted of 100000 mcn--Austria con-
tributed $4,000, Prussia $4,000, Bavaria Is, 900,
| Wurtembcrg $4,000, and thus in proportion the