The republic., 1850-12-03
From ihe London Times.
Threatened Partition of Prussia.


The cabinet, which would not otherwise have ar.
sembl,d till the 9th Vt next month, INovember,I
met yesterday, at a very short notice, a questi
Of considerable urgency. The disgraceful conduct
OF Prussia, in helping to protrsct the Schleswip-
Hostein war, not only in spite OF treaty Of pea
with Denmark, but actually under cover of q
treaty. and by means of it, has led 10 very nau-
ral-we might almost say legitimate consequ nce.
The governments Of Russia and Of France have
Jointly proposed TO the government Of this coLn-
try that the three powers shall peremptorily
qure Prussia to fulfil her recent engagement with
Denmark, and withdraw the support she still con-
tinues to give to the cheswig holstein army. In
the event of Prussia hesitatlng comply with this
reasonable demand, Russia and France are pre-
pared 10 back IL, not by Improbable march the
territory under dispute, but in a way congo.
nial to their tastes, by invasion of the Siesan
provinces of Prussia the side and the Rhcnish
on the other. In the first instance, however, they
require the cooperation Of England in the remon-
strance with Prussia, without which they not
prepared to move at present. The answer of the
British Government may perhaps be anticipated.
IL declines 20 Join with Russia and France in such
note We have described, but proposes that all
three powers shall separately demonstrate with
Prussia on her present breach of faith with the
Danish Government. Whether their triple remon-
stranccs will be of more avail than all the Of
the diplomacy that has been lavished this affair
s question on which we will not venture TO give
an opinion.
Tie interests Of justice and Of order require that
Prussia should be compelled TO dcsist from a
dangerous TO the faith ofreatcs and the peace of the
world; nor is IL likely that a weak government un-
der popular influence will listen To mere verbal
postulation IL is too, possible that the court Of
Berlin may yet have to endure the indignity Off
menace. and no respectable power will threaten
where IL is not alec ready 10 execute its threats.
But the administration Of justice and order oughto
be clear from the suspicion interested motives
If II il 10 have any moral weight, even the most
moderate success. Tocheck the designs of Prussia
by forwarding the designs of Russia and France is
not furtherng justice, misunderstanding act Of in
Justice for another, and making one undo rhand
a " % a Al There
is want Of logic in the whole proposition What
have Rhenish provinces nd Silesia do with the
Schlcswig Holsein affair, already sufficiently COM
plicsted ON it's nerisl The motive Is inclligi-
bic enough. Both Russia and France have lately
been doing some KIN igbt-crrsntry Of a most thank
lees and disagrecabe character and tits very nniv-
raj they should begin TO think Europe rather in their
debt. The two provinces have mentioned
would be very appropriate guerdons for our two
great conservative neighbors at St. Peterborough
and Paris There is a necessity, too, under
which ali Presidents and COnsuls unfortunately
labor II they wish 10 be ne elected, or 10
have name IN history, they must mark their
brief tenure OF office with some glorious feat
or valuable acquisition. With Cologne aud
Coblentz occupied by French troops Louis Nspo-
leon would be safe for another four years, at least,
and be able 90 dispense with half the garrison of
Paris Bot il is not so easy 10 say when and where
the matter would end, and whether the Judicial
mUtiaton Of Prussia at both her eStremities would
be the last act Of the drama. Germany would pro-
baby be alive to the claims OF national sym
pathy than Of public justice and even Austria, not
withdrawing her mendous obi cations mght not
be able TO resist appeal 10 the tberiand.
That such offer should be made to the British
government aud that such results we have al
luded to should be brought within the compass Of
possibility is enough TO mark the very serious char
acer of the part which Prussia is now playing. The
multitude Of all countries invariably measure the
acts Of nation solely by its end and If the end Is
TO their taste, they think the means sufficiently sa
cred. OF course, therefore, 50 glorious an cud as
the rccues of Sehlcsvig HOlstein from the Danish
yoke will be held TO iusufy the interference Of all
Germany IN the quarrel Bot, II nationality IL "a
fact and independence blessing, faiths something
more than either, Tor II Is a duiy. There was sn
armistico which was concluded by treaty ofpeace
between Prussia and Denmark. Forthwith. on the
signing Of that treaty, Prussia released from mdf
tary service hosts Of officers and privates, who,
u was notorious. dcsirOus to lotn the
Schleswig- Holstein army. In effect she desistcd
from open war in order that she might take TO
mere brigsndage. The war is now carried by
Prussians. and, If General Williscn is more bril-
liant paper than in the field IL il for want of
the best Intentions on the part OF his master, who
would much prefer conquest to a treatise on war
Itis impossible that Europe go for ever seeing
asmsl though gall mt people vsntonlydestroyedb by
neighbor at the same time unscrupulOus and pow
crful There will be come interference in tue eud,
IL Prussia will not submit be advised, and we SEQ
that interference Of most questionable ciarso-
ter hss been actually proposed. Tue ball is now
with the British government, winch, having de-
cliued one sugge-tiOn pectcd to make another
Alldspends on the nature Of the remembrance TO
be addressed 10 the court OF Prussia, which ought,
ofcourse To have due regard to the dignity Vt a
great military power, but ought also TO leave no
doubt that Prussia must consult her own dignity
well as her faith with Denmark.