New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-02

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Antonellis, your leaders of Church and
State! What is power worth tina. is held
by so frail atenure as theirs
1t may be we'll to illustrate the conduct
of this Prussian King and his chosen Ser
vents by recalling few facts of their re-
ceut history. In Nov. 848 they issued
Constitution of their own manufacture, got
up when the power was wholly in their
own hands. Everybody was surprised at
the liberality Gifts provisions, and the Dem
ocrats were told that henceforth they must
be silent before such proof of maguanim-
ity and liberalism. The Chambers assem-
bled aud accepted this Constitution. But
no sooner had it began to be put in action
than the Government issued and enforced a
decree arbitrarily changing the provisions
of this same Constitution in most impor-
tant fundamental point, namely, the right
of suffrage Under This decree new cleo
ton took place and completely reaction
airy Parliament was chosen. That body
took this Constitution and revised it again,
making the changes suggested by the Min
listers. When it was finished it was not
much to expect that the King and officials
should at last give it the sanction of their
oath. But no, it must be still further tin
kered, these parties having changed their
mind again. Finally it was sworn TO, but
even then it vas found to be defective. 1t
tolerated the liberty Of the press, no great
evil one would suppose in a Constitutional
State. Another decree came and sup
pressed that-all of course for the protcc-
ton of public order. So uncertain, insin-
cere, vacillating and weak has been the
career of this Government.
In the German Question its policy was
as we have shownin former article, quite
as bad as in domestic matters. The princl
pal opponents to its scheme for obtaining
the leadership of the German States were
Austria, Bavaria, Hanover, WGrtemberg
and Saxony. Austria opposed 1t because
she desired the leadership herself; Bavaria
because she was ambitious of playing a
greater part than before in the national
drama, and hated Prussian superiority;
the other states because they wished to
retain their present importance and were
Jealous of absorption. But had the Prus-
sian Statesmen not been clogged by the
causes we have mentioned above, they
might have carried their plan entirely
through in 1849. Then Austria had Hun
gary and Italy to fight with, and no troops
to send against her western antagonist, and
without the support of Austria, Bavaria
and the rest would have been powerless.
Even Russia could not then have interview
ed, especially as Prussia would have had
the whole German people on her side But
this golden opportunity was lost and can
never be had again.
So matters grew more and more compli
Gated and dubious, especially after the
breaking up in Hesse CasSel, all atten
ded by energetic interchange of PROPOSE
tions and all sorts of diplomatic and mill
tary theatricals Austria and Bavaria
sustained the notes of their ENJOYS by the
advance of their armies. They threaten
ed war. To Austria especially war was
a necessity, and beside, Russia stood behind
her. Should Prussia also prepare for war
or, as they called it for armed negotiation!
Radowitz said Yes, and the King, whose
imperial longings happened just then to be
superior to his fears of the Democracy,
said Yes, also. Marteatfel said No, and
Brandenburg said No, but the balance OF
opinion in the government was IN favor OF
Radowitz's proposition and it was unlyer-
sally supposed that the army would be
put on war footing accordingly.
There was, however, no faith that the
Government would really engage in war.
The Democrats regarded the whole affair
as mere farce in which both Austria and
Prussia were trying to humbug the world
We do not entertain that opinion, not being
able to detecs any indication of a secret m
Outstanding between the two powers. Be-
side, their rivalry is too real and ardent to
admit such a supposition; no matter how
truly they are agreed n hatred of the Eu-
ropean Democracy, their ambition and IN
terests are hostile, and no love is lost be-
tween them. But still we do not believe
that the Prussian Government had the
slightest intention of making war in any
event. With them it was really nothing
but pretense.
Finally the Warsaw Conference TOOK