The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-02
Miscellaneous.
From Ae NeD York Eoening Post.

Europe at the present moment might take them Tor
cononered provinces held in subsection by their
victorious masters at the point of the sword. Such
was the aspect which France presented when came
10 Paris a few weeks since. The city was then in
what is called, by convenient fiction, a state OF
siege soldiers filed the streets, were posted IN
every public square and at every corner, were
marching before the churches-the pulpits of which
bore the inscription of liberty, equality, and raer
nity-keeping their brethren quiet by the bayonet
| have since made Journey 10 Bavaria and Swltz-
erland and on returning / find the siege raised,
and these demonstrations OF fraternity less formal
but the show and the menace OF military ioftS -
scarcely less apparent. Those who MAINTAIN tha'
France is not fit for liberty need not aiilict theh-
selves with the idea that there is at present more
liberty in France than her people know now To
enjoy.
On my journey, ] found the cities along the Rhine
crowded with soldiers; the sound OF the drum was
heard among the hills covered with vines; women
were trundng loaded wheel barrows, and carrying
panners like asses 10 earn the taxes which are ex
torted TO support the men who stalk about in uni
form. ! entered Heidelberg with anticipations of
pleasure they were dashed in moments the city
was In state of siege, occupied by Prussan troops
which had been sent to take the part of the Grand
duke of Baden against his people could hardly
believe that this the same peaceful and friendly
city which had known in better times. Every
other in the streets was soldier; the beautiful
walks about the old castle full of soldiers in
the evening they reeling through the streets.
/" This invention" said German who had been "A
member of the Diet of the Confederation lately
broken up, 90 this invention of declaring city,
which has Internationally submitted TO be still in
a state of siege, is but device to practise the most
unbounded oppression. ANY man who Is suspected
or feared or dishked, or supposed approve of
the proceedings Of the victorious party is arrested
and imprisoned at pleasure. He may be guiltless
Of any offence which could be made pretext for
condemnng him, but his trial Is arbitrarily post
poned, and when Mt last he is released he has sui
iered the penalty of long confinement, and is
taught how dangerous 1t is to become obnoxious to
the government"
From Heidelberg, thus transformed was glad
to take my departure soon as possible. Our way
from that city to Heilbronn through most
charming country along the valley OF the Neckar
Here low hills and valleys rich with harvests,
a road empowered in fruit trees, the branches of
which were propped with stakes TO prevent them
from breaking with their load, and groves lying
pleasantly in the morning sunshine where ravens
were croaking. Birds Of worse omen than these
were abroad; struggling groups, and sometimes en-
tire companies of soldiers, their way from one
part of the duchy to another: while In telds women,
prematurely old with labor, were welding the hoe
and the mattock, and the younger and stronger OF
their sex swinging the scythe. In all the VII
lagos through which passed, in the very smallest
troops posted, and men in military uniform
standing AT the doors, looking from the win
dows of every inn and beer house.
At Heilbronn took the railway for Stuttgart,
the capital of Wurtemberg. There was a conslde-
rable proportion of men In military trapplngs among
the passengers but at OF the stations they came
upon US like cloud and we entered Stuttgart with
a little army. That city, too, looked as If in state
of siege numerous were the soldiery, though the
vine covered hills among which It Is situated could
have given them better occupation. The railway
beyong Stuttgart wound through'a deep valley and
ended at Geisshngen, an ancient Suabian town.
in a gorge of the mountains with tall old houses
not one of which, might safely affirm, has been
built within the last two hundred years. From this
place to Ulm, on the Danube, the road was fairly
lined with soldiers walking or resting, by the way
side, or closely packed in the PEASANTS wagons,
L IL. IL thaEA ,hp
At Ulm we obliged to content ourselves with
straitened accommodations, the hotels being occu-
pied by the gentry in epaulettes.
hoped to see fewer Of this class at the capital of
Bavaria, but il not 80; they were every where
placed in sight as if to keep the people in awe
s'These fellows" said German TO me, =" are al
WAYS too numerous but In ordinary times they are
kept in the capitals and barracks, and the nuisance
is out of sight Now, however, the occasion is sup
posed 10 make their presence necessary IN the
midst of the people, and they swarm every where
Another it was host Of the Goldcner Hirsch,
said 10 my friend, 90 ! think ! shall emigrate TO
America, am tired Of living under the bayonet"
] was in Munich when the news arrived OF the
surrender VI the Hungarian troops under Forgey,
and the fall of the Hungarian republic. All along
my journey had observed tokens of the intense
interest which the German people took in the result
of the struggle between Austria and the Magyars
and of the warmth OF their hopes IN favor OF the lat
ter The intelligence received with the deep
est sorrow. $50 periskes, said BaVarlan, "the
last hope Of European liberty.
Our Journey TO Switzerland led Us through the
southern part of Bavaria, among the old towns
which formed part Of ancient Suabia The coun-
try here, in some respects, resembles New England
here are broad woods and scattered farm houses
OF a different architecture, IL n true, from that OF
the Yankees, and somewhat resembling, with their
far-projecting caves those ofSwitzerland-andh here
are large orchards Of the apple and pear Yet there
was a further diffcrence-every where men were
seen under arms, and women at the plough
SO weary had grown Of the perpetual sight Of
hat ON Ia
Switzerland, where hoped TO see les Of IL and II
was with great deli ght that found mysclfat Lindau
border town Of Bavaria, ON the BOdcnsce. or Lake
of Constance the shores of which the boundaries
Of four sovere guties meet steamer took W
across the lake from a wharf covered with soldiers
TO Roorschach, in Switzerland, where not soldier
was TO be seen. Nobody asked for our passports,
nobody required submit our ba ggdge % search.
could almost have kneeod and kissed the shore Of
the hospitable republic; and really II was beautiful
enough for such a demonstration Of affection, tor
nothing could be loyclicr than the decvities Of that
shore, with it. woods, and orchards. and grassy
Meadow and green hollows running upward TO
the mountain tops, all fresh with shower that had
Just passed, and now glittering IN the sunshine,
and interpreted with large Swiss houses bearing
ouAintly-caryed galleries, and broad oyerhang1ng
TOofs while 10 the east the glorious SUBMITS ol
the Alps, minging with the clouds.
In three or four hours We had climbed up 10 81
Gall-St. Gallcu the Germans call it-situated IA o
high valley, among steep Green hills, which send
down spur Of woodland 10 the meadows below. In
walking out TO look the town, We heard brisk
and continued discharge Of musketry, and, pro-
ceeding IN the direction Of the sound, came 90 a
large field, evidently set apart as parade ground
on which several hundred youths were practisin g
the art Of war in sham fight, and keeping up
spirited IRE al each other with blank cartridges
On inguirygwe were told that these were the boys 81
the schools Of ST. Gall from twelve 10 sixteen years
Of age, with whom military exercises were part
Of their education. ] was still, therefore, among
soldiers but Of different class from those OF whom
had seen 50 much Here it Was the people who
were armed for self protection; there il wa body
Of mercenares armed 20 keep the people IA sublcc-
ton.
Another days journey brought 20 the PIC
turesque town Of Zurich, and the next norma g
about four O'Clock was awakened by the roll 81
drums under my window. Looking out, saw
regiment Of boys Of tender age, IN UNIFORM .
brown linen, with little light muskets on rhei
shoulders, and knapsacks on their backs, com
pletely equipped and furnished for war, led on b,
their little officers ia regular military order, an'
marching and wheeling 70 the sound Of MARTA
music with all the precision Of veterans. In swift
zerland arms are in every mans hands, he y edu
Gated 10 be a soldier, and taught that the hbcrue
Of bis country depend biz skill and yalor. Tn
4. a..