New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-03
SWITZERLAND
OpPuing of the National Council.


IT,, N,,or.l C,,r, oil .sorIaml " n. UPvHcu
on the sth at Bernc, with long speech from NJ Is
cher the PRECEDENT. After n few words OF introduc-
ton, the President said:
1--WE must, before all notice the relations OF
Switzerland with foreign countries, on account OF
the hostile attitude which two powers ppcared 10
lake toward us short time ago IL cannot be-
denied that II inenacirg demonstrations were made
abroad. the SWISS press, with some honorable
exceptions, displayed uusat sactory zeal IN spread
iug reports respecting them. IL IS LOT possl.ie'
peycrth less 20 doubt that the plans which the
reaction rpeditated against Switzerland, or rath-
er OF which Il has tnought lit - postpone the
realization, have not been eiaced from ITS idea.
Our country cannot be otherwise than IN bad odor
with the reaction, i 8smuch as II was not by
furious propaganda bat only by the pacific force OF
example, that il gave the elan tor the last and
memorable movement If the nations OF Europe, aud
that amid the storms occasioned thereby, aud
which have shaken this part OF the world, 1t has
succeeded in maintaining intact the most I'm Portanl
and lasting conquesis OF our time. Switzerland, ~
fact as a republic full Il lie and vlgor, IS an ugly
thorn for European reaction. The essential COM
plant made agans, il is the very essence OF IT'S
existence IL is true that when IL Is desired % act
against Switzerland, iraDkness is not displayed
reasons are use,ss when Prettx KITS eau lead To the
same end. The veritable action employ ed against
Switzerland is therefore prudently disseminated
aud complaints Of nature such as may always be
found RnGl iNfF az a. PNh 4o " ~ yt
paper.
"In presence OF such dis positions on the part OF
the European reaction tOward Switzerland, what
should be the COnduct OF orr country toward Tor
eign nations said 10 you in closing our last ses
sion: The will OF the Swiss people IS opposed 70
the confederation mixing itself up In quarrels
abroad except under imperative circumstances
but when n foreign nation may attempt 10 injure 1t
in any manner whatever, il must resist its attempts
with great firmness and have recourse 10 all the
means IN its power | can only repeat 10 you
what said then. The will OF our people has re-
manned the same Il reposes on Just appreciation
OF the peculiar state in which our country placed
We must not forget that Switzerland Is q little
country No doubt the circumstance should not
weigh with any weight, when there is question
oil maintaining national independence; for no coun-
try can consider the smaness Of its territory when
| it has 10 defend its own existence-but when the
question is OF exercising influence on European
political affairs it is permitted 10 count our square
| leagues and cur population
The President then proceeded 20 comment on the
mutual respons bity (s0IldarItt of nations and to
defend the idea OF such responsibility among the
| Democracies Of European nations, In presence OF
the European reaction But he says that Swltzer-
| land should not, therefore, take arms TO defend
liberty wherever attacked but call nations to lib
erty by the force Of example, and MAINTAIN the
Alps as the altar Of liberty in Europe. Il. he
| added the reaction should dare TO place criminal
hand on Switzerland, the Confederation alone
should not be left TO raise the glove but all Demo
cracy should aid her inasmuch as 1t would not be
| her ruin Alone but that Of Democracy which would
| be attempted
Alter referring 70 the questions of tolls and coin
ing. the President proceeded 10 notice the recent
elections for the council in the Canton Of Zug, which
resulted in the triumph of the Conservatives. With
ont denying the right Of the Canton 70 make such
elections, lie said that they proved that the spirit
/ which led 10 the formation Ut the Sonderbund was
not dead and that they required the representa-
tiyes OF Switzerland 10 take into consideration that
spirit a. regarded the relations OF the Canton with
| the rest OF the confederation. He added that the
! election. in question were proof that the contede
ration had ANITA goaiss in the interior, as well as
enemies in the exterior.
The President then referred 10 the forthcoming
! elections for Zurich, Geneva, and Berre, and he
| expressed his as'onishment at the Conservative
party IN the latter Canton having put forward a
| prusramme nearly similar to that Of the radicals
bu, he broadly minated that the people would dc
well in the choice OF men TO take those belonging
To the latter party. He concluded by calling or
all men Of prUsress to draw closer their ranks, and
to be more united, and then formally declared the
/ National Council opened.