Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-11-26
The German Question.

cents.
The German Question.
The news from central Europe by the last stea-
mer possesses unusual interest and importance,
but the proceedings of kings, electors and d plo-
matists in and concerning the States of Germany
are too indefinitely ascertained to warrant the
formation of decided opinions. The New York
Tribune, however, whose sympathies are so strong
" on the side of that kind of Democracy which
is known in France as Red RepubGcanism, that
it seems to hail the triumphs of the Russian Au-
tocrat as something better than the moderated gov
ernments ofless absolute Princes tersely pronoun-
ces the events which are reported to have trans
PRED, equivalent to the utter extinction of Ger
many. The Gar, it proclaims, is as supreme on
the Rhine as on the Neva. And all this, it thinks,
has resulted from the prevalence of Russian coun-
sells with the King of Prussia, since the late ex-
traordnary conference at Warsaw. We confess
that we are unable to jump with the Tribune to
so grave conclusion, from the premises now sup
piled though it is impossible not to perceive the
seeming fuhlment of the memorable saying of
Napoleon, that Europe must be Cossack if not
Republican. We Judge that the Tribunes specu-
lations were not predicated upon the facts reported
by telegraphto London on the eve of the steamers
departure, for they appear to import some deter
mination ON the part of Frederick, since the death
of the great minister Brandenburg, to resist the
policy of Russia, Austria and Bavaria.
The following extract from the Tribune's arti-
Gle will give the reader connected view, Though
perhaps not the most reliable one) of the recent
transactions of the Powers who, for the present,
are resolving the fate of Germany:
Our readers will remember that little more than
two years ago. the King OF Prussia proclaimed himself
the foremost in the movements. for reorganizing Gstma
ny as Constitutional Federal Union. How that
movement came to naught need not be here recapiu-
lated enough TO say that had the courage or fidelity
of this King to his word equalled his ambition, that
movement might have proved something better than
pitiabIe and DISASTROUS farce.
when the Frankfort attempt failed, Prussia could not
S6andon the scheme OF German Federal Union. For
she pledged to it, and earnestly desired its realza
sion only from large ideas OF national policy but
because her sentimental and romantic King longed to
burish in the gew- gaws and grandeur proper the
kad of such a. Union; Accordingly new Parliament
new n Constitution
The party ia lad supported the Prussian interest
at Frankfort "a ported, though with abated conf
ssss se' ssPsa - second ss'ss w
in wealth and nun -, and counting in its ranks
of the ablest meT IN the nation And thus Prussia
thouph its Goyerhm had again and again trampled
upon the constitutional principle at home stood the
great representative and protector OF that principle in
Germany,
Austria and Bavaria on the other hand, Jealous of
the pretensons OF Prussia to be al the head OF the Fede
raj Union, utterly refused to accede TO this plan or
even to tolerate it. And finally the safest means OF
putting end to the whole business, they determined to
the old Confederation, such as had existed from
1915 to ls48 The essential difference, be it understood
between this Confederation and the proposed Federal
tt,fO lol hxyth
resentatives of the several Governments, whereas the
latter has in its Parliament Lower House represent
ting the German people. " nar has been called the
German Question was whether the Constitutional plan OF
Prussia the Absoutist plan of Austria and Bavaria
should be CARR ed into execution and submitted to by all
parties. On this question animated controversy be-
tween those Governments has for many months
ded the German papers with diplomatic declarations
and relolnders.
Meanwhile the halfcrazy elector of Hesse Cassel de-
tsrmned abrog the constitution OF his country and
entered upon the experiment whose features have
had occasion so lately to detail He was defeated and
fed before the moderation and legal resistance of his
people. OF course, he resorted tor aid to Austria
and Bavaria whose agents had favored if they had
instgated, the outrage he had thus failed to carry
through. His people having steadily favored the Prus
sian plan of Union, and being united defence of their
Constitution, and OF the constitutional prime ipe,
rally looked TO Prussia Tor support in this extremity,
did the entire Constitutional Party OF Germany. And
Prussia made show OF answering their expectations
preparations Tor war were set on foot; powerful
military force was collected on the frontiers of the
Electorate, which was actually entered by a large
my, whose General officially proclaimed that an Aus
Bavaran Intervention would be the commence
ment of war.
In all these movements Austria and Bavaria evinced
clear determination and advanced straight forward to
their end, while Prussia ardy and undecided This
doubt the result of mingled nsncerity and con-
scous weakness on her part indeed she necessarily
in fear OF new popular Instructions, but have
little doubt that Russian diplomacy had share in her
lndecision
The crisis having arrived, the Autocra comes in to
end the whole dispute. Hesummons the Representa-
tyes OF Prussia and Austria to a conference War
He dictates the denouement ofthe drama; he in
forms the parties of his will he issues his orders; he
commands the submission of Prussia; the Contedera-
fon shall be restored, and Austrian and Bavarian
troops entering Hesse Casse unopposed, shall deprive
the people OF their Constitution and remit the Govern
ment to the Eector unchecked by the limitations of
rebelIious $780, And, m4re than this, Prussia must
the taet support given to the insurgents
Of Sehleswg Holstein and suffer them TO fall again
into the power of Denmark.
All this has been submitted to; the heir of the great
Frederick the creator of Prussia has obeyed these
defs almost the Corporal ola Russian platoon obeys
his. Prussia is inundated; her Independence aboshed
Germany is to-day Russian dependency.
The letter of Lord John Russel TO the Bshop