The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-29
From The NsW York Courier and Enquirer
Prusstg and Denmark.


on year ago, after going through all the tortuos
ties peculiar TO German diplomacy, has at last been
dchnitivey concluded This intelii gence, apart
from its intrinsic interest, will be received with PEE
cuiiar satisfaction by our merchants interested in
the commerce of the Baltic since the resumption of
the war, which latterly has appeared almost inevi-
table, would at once have occasoned another close
blockade Of that great inland sea. This pacifca-
ton was mainly effected through British mediation,
and especially by the persevering good offices of
Lord Westmoreland, the English plenipotentiary at
Berlin. France and Russia also contributed their
influence to the settlement Of the question.
glance at the history OF an affair that has 50 long
agitated Northern Europe, and which has repeat
cdly threatened the most serious consequences, will
surely be Of inteIes
Schleswig and Holstein, the two southern prov
inces Of Denmark, each contain population of
about four hundred thousand, Of which one half in
the former province Germans, and in the latter
almost all. Schleswig, since 1921, though having
certain corporate rights and administrative privi
leges Of its own, has remained entirely merged in
the Kingdom of Denmark. Holstein, for about
eighty years, has also formed part Of the
kingdom, but yet was member Of the Germanc
confederation. 1t sustained very much the same
relation to Denmark that Hanover, till within a
few years, has sustained 10 England The two
provinces, under the benign sway of Denmark, had
good degree Of prosperity All Of the material
res, urces OF the country were rapidly developing
agriculture and commerce fourshed, taxation was
light, and riches were perhaps equally dis
tibutcd than In any other part of Europe. Tie
system OF education was peculiarly excellent, and
its benefits were universally enjoyed. Municipal
institutions were preserves; liberty of association
and liberty Of the press were exercised aud the
general policy OF the government was liberal and
eevating.
The strong desire for national unity, which has
for years pervaded Germany, equally affected the
German provinces Of Denmark, and especially
Holstein. The agitation on the subject constantly
increased till in March, lS4S, it resulted in an in
surrecion which was speedily successful. An in
dependent State, under the name OF Schleswig Hol-
ytt q lar nd n nroy OOV
was established. The Danes Of Schleswig opposed
this violent transfer of their allegiance, and APP
pealed to their king for protection Frederick VII.
at once prepared to reduce the rebeous provinces,
and they in turn applied to Prussia for support
The Prussian sovereign, influenced partly by his
zeal for German unity, and partly, no doubt, by
desire TO get the benefit Of the ports and the other
commercial advantages which Schleswig had and
Prussia had not, sento large force into the
Dschies Denmark demonstrated, and exhausted
every expedient to bring the matter to favorable
issue by negotiation. But finally, comparatively
feeble as she was, decent regard for her own
honor compelled her to take up arms against one
of the strongest military powers of Europe. She
fought several battles, in nearly all Of which she
worsed. The Prussan army advanced far
into Jutland and she obliged TO retreat to her
islands, where, by enforcing strict blockade and
by capturing Prussian vessels she inflicted prodi-
gious injury upon her enemy's commerce. The
courage of the Danes, Notwithstanding the fearful
odds, never wavered. They again rallied upon the
main land, and, in great battle near the city Of
FrcderlC5tadt, completely discounted tue fTu55lan
army. An engagement more severe aud a victory
more decisive have not often occurred in modern
warfare.
BY the active interference Of Great Britain,
whose commerce was grievously suffering by the
hostilitcs, armistce was soon afterwards con
sented to by the belhgerents. The period since
has been spent in constant negotiation, the arms
tice having been tive or three times renewed for
that purpose. The original justification of Prussia
was, that Holstein and Schlcswig were de jiue in
dependent States; that the ties which attached them
to Denmark in their very origin nugatory,
and, If not, had been annullcd by Irregular suc-
cession TO the dukedom of Holstcin. Mnsty
cords were rakcd up, and the most abstruse his
torcal questions were discussed. However, Prus-
ss gradually ceased to insist upon these pretences
ana the basis of the present treaty was agreed upon
about twelve months ago. But since that time she
has shown little disposition TO carry out her inior-
NAL engagements, alleging that she has no autho-
| rity TO act In behalf of Germany. To this Den
mark has replied, that, as Prussia assumed the
| power 10 make war in the name of Germany, she
must also, in default of any other legal representa-
tive of the German Federation, assume the power
| 10 make peace. Prussia remained impracticable,
till at last The Danish government was constrained
to present os uitimGtum the prompt fulhlment OF
1 the previous agreement. This was rejected. The
| Danish commissioner returned TO Copenhagen TO
announce 10 his government that negotatio had
| failed and must ensue. Lord Wostmoreland
bestrred himself most diligently and the very next
day the Prussian cabinet, after two long confer
! ences with the Danish plenpotcntiary, uncondi-
tionally accepted, in the name OF the Gcrmanic
Confederation, the Danish propositions with trivial
| notifications.
Prussia binds itself by the treaty to withdraw all
of her troops within three weeks from both the
Duchies, and 10 use her influence TO re-estabsh the
sovereignty Of Denmark. The Danish troops are
| Immediately 10 enter schloswig, but no military
measures TO he applied 10 Iolstcin, until an APP
! peal shall have been made 10 the German Parlia-
! ment. So Prussia retircs from the contest, and
leaves it TO be decided by the original parties.
l But notwithstanding the Withdrawal of their
/ ere "A 10 RI . IL
atey after learning the signature of the treaty, the
provisional government Of Scheswig Holstein L.
sued orders to call in the whole OF the reserves,
| including all persons liable 10 military service be-
tween the age of 10 and 40. A force of 1000 per-
| cons has thus been raised, having about so held
! pieces. The Danish army which IL to oppose them
/ has about 10000 troops and 90 held-pieccs. The
| ultra democratic papers throughout Germany spare
efforts 10 instgate the Sohicswig iiolsteiners 10
the combat. The commander. in chief Of the army
IL known 10 be eager for the Tray, and II Is alto.
| gcthcr probable that within a few days we shall
hear Of another bloody battle in tho Danish PENN
| sua.
The contest ON the part of the Duchics must be
perfectly bootlcss. Even should they succeed IN
vanquishng the Danes, England, France, and
Russia would, in the end surely interfere, and re-
| ducc them 10 their old allegiance. These powers
| are fully resolved that conflict which for more
than two years has threatened the peace Of Europe
and destroyed all security Of commerce in the Bal
tic, shall now be terminated They would never
submit 10 Denmark lose the richest portion Of
| It's dominiOns for the ultimate bchooi OF germany
A Russian squadron o. eight ships Of the line has
already anchored near the island Of MOcn, To sup
port Denmark when she needs help. IL IA 10 be
hoped that a contest useless will not be recon-
menced. IL would doubtless be desirable, did cir
cumstances permit, for the two Duchics TO attach
| themselves politically TO the country with which
they arc connected by language and hereditary
| ties, but they may remain constituent portions OF
| Denmark without oppression or injury. That
kingdom IL a constitutional State, and in tho
full enjoyment Of constitutional liberties. The ar
| rangcment which has just been made with Prussia
secures 10 the Duchies large measure OF provin-
| cial and municipal liberty, aud gives thcm All the
freedom In the rnane cement Of their local concerns
that Il consistent with the unity Of the realm.
From Che Palmetto STATE Bdnn~.
| THE SWEDISH laos MaSUrAcTURrSo CoMPhNv.--
| We anfnetirpc afncc annoupccd that the Ncsttl