The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-20

so far | know, remains entirely unchanged 4,
and will be acted upon steadily and decisively.
The peace of the country requires this; the Sc
curity of the Constitution requires this; and every
consideration of the public good demands this.
If the Administration cannot stand upon the
principles of the message, ii does not expect TO
stand at all"-DASIEL WEBsTER's Letter 10 The
Union Meeting at Wesfchesfer.
Progress Of Affairs i'm Germany-Approach-
ing Crisis.
The intelligence received from the continent
of Europe has for months past indicated the ap-
proach of renewed struggles between the Ger
man powers and their subjects and has tended
10 produce the conviction that that struggle,
come when it may, will be protracted and ter
rible in its character, and probably decisive in
its results There will be no more compro-
misses between potentates and peoples, as in
l848 and lS49; but general contest for per-
manent mastery, embittered on one side by a
Consciousness of the value of the stake at issue,
and on the otherby remembrance of treachery
and tyranny consequent upon former forgive
ness. Either the popular voice will be altoge
ther annulled, and undisguised absolutism be
established, or the people will assume all the
attributes of sovereignty, in fact as we'll as in
name. Between these points there can now be
no halting place.
This has long been evident SO far as Austria
is concerned. With Russia as his protector,
and METTERYIcH as his guide, the Emperor of
Austria has played towards his immediate sub
jects the same perfidious part that he had al
gary. Openly disregarding every thing like
constitutional restraints and obligations, he has
proclaimed his determination to govern solely
as his pleasure may dictate, and without refer
ence TO the rights or wishes of the people. The
declaration startled men for the moment by its
boldness and its profiigacy; but the surprise
soon gave way to belief that it had long been
foreshadowed, and that only it was wanting to
consummate the grounds of difference between
the parties most affected.
The last mail has put us in possession of pr-
vate letters from reliable parties resident in
Prussia, which leave no room to doubt that the
course Of affairs is precisely the same in that
country. Emboldened by the advances and
encouragements of his royal neighbors, the
King Of Prussia appears TO be fast casting
off his childish vacilation, and assuming the
airs and garments of full blown absolut
ism. Following the example of Austria,
he is gradually, but not less certainly,
abrogating the Constitution solemuly guaran-
teed to his people, and appears to glory in every
opportunity afforded by successful reaction
of ostentatiously Withdrawing his promises,
and of heaping insults upon the press and the
Protestant feeling of the country. This is es-
pecially true of the va rous speeches delivered
by the king on his excursion to receive the
oaths of homage of the ewly-incorporated
municipalities of Observation-Disclosures and
Sigmaringen. In an address to the authorities
at Cologne, and before large crowd of per
sons, his majesty used these words eI have
not come here to make compliments, nor to
reward, nor to punish, but to speak out the
truth and the whole truth know that YOU
are very sensitive upon the subject of your
press; but 1t ls necessary that the infatuation
should cease--an infatuation which DESTROYS
all confidence and loyalty-and causes only
discofd in the city and State. Seek to Danish
this unfriendly spirit. See that it be changed
What my brother WILLIAM has already said
adhere to, and say amen to it seventy and
again seventy times. 1t is time that this
should cease If it do not, will myself put
stop TO it. hare the ,oiH and the po,cer
Look to Il. Let it be changed, and that with
little delay Otherwise we shall not remain
friends, and assure YOU there will be taken
the sererest measures"
The spirit of the Holy Alliance pervades
every line that we have quoted But this is
not wonderful, considering that the speaker is
now the open ally of the EMPEROR OF Aus
TRIA and Prince MErTERmcH 1t is reported
that on taking leave Of the Prince, after visit
to his chateau, Johannisberg, the King remark
ed IN loud voice have come not only TO
express to you, Prince. my unchanged esteem
veneration and friendship, but / have also
come TO show the world that am The same as
used TO be-" The words we have italicized
explain the whole matter. The KING OF PRus
STA is as he fused to be-" The recent struo-
giles for liberty have borne no fruit and kingly
pledges are worth no more than perjurer's
promises.
What gives additional significance to these
things, and throws yet darker shade over the
future, is the circumstance that any coming
strife will call into play violent theological as
we'll as political antipathies. The Queen Of
Prussia is already Catholic, and the King is
understood also to have abandoned the Protest
ant Church, and to have secretly enlisted
the support of the Pope. Many facts have
transpired indicative of this circumstance. In
WestPhalia, when the King arrived at the sta
ton Of Hamm, near Minden, he greeted with
the utmost warmth Catholic bishop, while he
turned his backuPon the Protestant clergyman,