New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-31
EUROPE.
The Inherent Imbecility Of Prussia.
re.,orsenc- Of IN. n Y. Tribune

The opinion still prevails among the
friends of progress that Prussia had only possessed
the will the state of affairs would have been different in
Germany and Europe Ii she had only had the will
when the crown of Germany offered to her by tbs
Fran kfort Parliament
But Prussia has often had the Wilt belongs to the
very essence of her character to wll-but in the de-
cisive moment she also feels that she wanting in the
power of sccomplishment-and she voluntarily falls
back, is compelled by circumstances to make atone
ment for her presumption.
Prussia is through and through secondary power
original in nothng-with no resources fos giving the
hrst impulse in anythng-mcspable in every depart
ment of carrying original conception, in con-
sistent and elective manner
She boasts OF being the political power of Protestant
isul-but William OF England made impossible the uni
verssl Catholic Monarchy which but for him Louis NV
would have tounded-Wiiam of England elevated
Protes,antism to political power in the, system o
EuIoI Governments.
She boasts Of having through Frederic H. destroyed
the preponde of Austria In the affairs OF Germany
but this was effected before Frederic by Richeheu
ord the Suede Gustavus Adol ohus- Prussia has only
continued the work on German soil which was com
menced by foreigners.
She boasts of having been under Frederic H. the
birthplace OF intellectual freedonl-as ii England had
not given birth Bacon, who first freed the exact
sciences from the dominion of theology-ss no Dutch
echool had produced Pierre Bsye-ss If Volsaire
were not the father OF the general enlightenment OF
| the masses
| She boasts of having been the kingdom of intell.
eence under the reign OF her former kiNg-it Is true
that in the latter years of the former king and in the
first years of the present science brought TO close it'
last struggle for freedom ssns all the pretensons Of
i l,,t.. oh prus. dn will m
by whom this victory of science schievedi 1t only
made them the victims of persecution, delivering them
| over TO the hate of its narrow minded officials
She boasts of the efforts made at different epochs
| by the people, for example under Frederic H. In
| the struggle against Napoeon-but were not those
periods followed promptly than In other States oy
REACTIONS which again fettered the popular power sitter
! its momeptary expression The struggle OF Frederic
H. against Austria changed by his successor into
an alliance against France-thc mental freedom Of the
age Of Frederic H. hampercd by the edcs concern
ing religion in the next reignand SO more recently the
impulse given to science fifteen years ago has been
combated under the ministry OF Echom and the secret
| influence Of Cen Radownz.
Ia spite of the official renown which has been always
claimed by Prussia account OF her power, freedom
and intelligence she is perfectly aware OF her weak
ness She knows that che has not the power to carry
out the free principles which she developed during the
time OF her former impulses and accordingly holds In
| readiness such men Bsccowerder, Woners,
Ecnorn, and Radowtz, who may relieve her from the
duty imposed by those principles.
She boasts. especially, that the sway of Napoleon
was broken in 1873 by her resistance. But Austria did
more in first opposing the organized force OF the people
to the foreign encroscnmenrs In the DaIes OF Afperh
and Wagram Prussia did not rise until alter Napoleon
was weakened In Russia the power which she dis
nlsved in 1913 proceeded from her alliance with Russia
her army appeared again In Germany In the RUSSIAN
rarksher King at the side OF the Emperor Alexander
! The jpdemnfcation which she demanded OF Germany
for her efforts could only be obtained from the Vienna
! CONGRESS. so far as Russia gave her consent.
She .ti rossts ev-s, than Austria of her devq
ion 10 the interests Of Germany-if words could avail,
there is no more dsuterested care and sympathy for
Germany than herg-and yet in the Basic treaty
1926 with the French Republic she the first to sur
render Germany to the dominion OF foreign power
When she withdrew behind the lines of her neutrality,
she laid open the south OF Germany and the region
the Rhine to France and yielded up the sovereignty
She expected to humble Austria by the Basic treaty,
but instead she has humbled Germany.
When Prussia Concluded tue Bsse treaty, she had
previously assened Nspoleons Con- ederscy OF the
Rhine that is, the dedn,ve partition Of Germany.
The Confedsracy of the Rhine Is the classical express
sion ior the imbecllity OF Germany.
When the army Of France conquered by the Al
Hes. and the Empire vas ovsrhrown, the work of Ma.
uoleon remained in Germany in the Coniederacy of
the Rhine France lost her conquests, Belgium Hol'
lang the Ie bank of the Rhine and ltsy but ne Con-
fderscy of the Rhine tue ors sni4ed deoitson OF Ger
many remained Neither Austria nor Prussia, was
strong enough BY sef TO destroy this re nnsnt OF for
eign sway.
What was the Confederacy OF The Rainel The dis
solution of the last appearance OF German Unity, me
declaration of the sovereignty OF the individual states
the conversion of Unity into a new Coniederacy
IT, order 10 avoid confusion in order 10 escape aeon
,es, which no German power could sustain II was ne
ces,ary 10 preserve the work Of Napoleon and take
"a model for the constitution OF the whole Coniede.
racy
The Confederacy of the Rhine is the only one which
has attained political conference. But 1t the weaken
ing of Germany through foreign influence and hence
this weakening and foreign dependence iofmedtne only
nolitical arrangement which could be effected BY Ger
many.
TIE idea of the Rhine Confederacyis carried out In
The German Confederacy generally and for all Germs'
nv-and consequently the weakening OF Germany by
foreign influence is lie recognized condition
What misfortune then for Germany cay tne rru''
sian patriots thAt Prussia failed 10 its efforts Tor union al
Erfurt.
Vba, Nemesis rather is the only correct answer.
What a retribution
In the Confederacy Of the Rhine was realized what
Prussia bad on'y desired
When Frederick H. founded the Coniedersey Oh
Princes when Prussia listened to the batteries OF tne
French Republic, and hoped with her approval within
the line Of neutrality in the year 1875 to form German
corfederacy under her own prctecton-~hen In i7o'H
wished to put of Napoleon with the same prom'es-
:, aimed at the game thing which Napoleon enected IN
The Conederacy Of the Rhine-is aimed TO divide and
split asunder Germany with view 10 increasing y"