The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-26
From the Evening Post.
An Interesting Trial.

We have before referred the Baden of Pro-
lessor Gervinus, eminent literary man oil Germany for
having uttered republican sentiments in recent work
called "An Introduction TO the History of the Nineteenth
Century" The book first tried at Mannheim, on an
order for its conscaton, and in spite OF the earnest APP
peals of its author, condemned But on the 24th u
the Professor himself was araigned at Baden for tex
citing high treason and hatred OF constitutional mon
aIchy" Of course, his reputation as well as the nature
of the case attracted large crowds OF the tera OF Ger
many to the scene, of them coming from the re-
hottest parts OF the naton the severest weather. and al
great personal cost.
But we should perhaps inform our readers as matter
OF preliminary interest," that Gervinus is among the first,
il be the first historian OF his native anda man OF
the prooundest learning, varied accomplishments, high
character and elevated social position His history OF
German Literature which has been translated into Eng
lish believe, work at remarkable merit, and may
be regarded the standard work upon that subject eab-
crate, clear, accurate, and philosophical His lectures,
too al the University OF Heidelberg, where he was pro-
fesso have been among the popular OF those deiv
cred in the institution, and have made him many friends
among the cultivated classes But we cannot learn that
he has been mixed in any way with the political
agitaons Of the continent, his tastes incning him to
conne his abors to the researches OF the closet or the
instruction OF the professors chair HIS arrest conse-
queny, has attracted no little attention in Europe.
AT the trial in Baden after reading the indictment and
the ncminaed passages of the book the public prose-
cuor argued that the impression created by the work was
so decidedly in favor OF democratic that the
writer of il mus, have had political intent All its rich
material and all its graces of STYLE he said, had been
used to bring the monachical system into discedt 1t
represented in hateful light, as apresumptuous
usurpation injurious to the best interests d society,
while the consttuonasm OF Great Britain proclaim
ed to be superior IT, and the democrahc republic OF North
America pointed al the true model Tor Germany II
was true that the Baden monarchy had not been spe-
ciay referred to, but the tendency OF the Professors
teachings was TO include that with the rest II was
therefore not prosecute science, but TO furnish warn
ing uneasy spirits, now happily stricken down. that the
prosecution had been commenced
AT the close OF this address the Judge inquired whether
the defendant wished to make any remark. Gervinus
thereupon rose and said !;
eli had appeared TO a that the book con nothng
on which indictment could be founded. That view
might the codrt lacal nevertheless IL was
shared bv some of the hRhe legal authorities in Gcrma-
nv The indictment a kind Of impossbity, IL they
would allow him the term, which he would show IN lew
plain words lbs authors aimed blow at that which was
they would strike much harder man they intended me
Indictment. although II contained his name was IN reality
an Providence least OF history, which
was not given and presidents OF tribunals to
Judge. The indictment made no distinction between the
Objective facts contained in the book complained Of and
subjective opinions and tendencies. But the VOLUME con-
tanned only facts appeals and Inducements !, hsa none
close the present day was arrived at In the
words about the future facts alone were brought be-
fore the reader enable him 10 form probable judgment
concerning H. The few opinions Of the book bal
snced with the which might be brought against
them Propositions, phrases defamation were uniformly
avoided and TO facts alone weight allowed II the
illusions OF scientific thus conducted were favor
able self governmenthat was to TO the parcpa-
ton OF many rather OF few in the work Of government
Of his doing but should be laid TO the account
veiopment tho human To attack Heaven through
him neither pious WISE His voice they might ST
Ience but history proclsiming louder than he could
the great facts of the ages, and this they could not put
down therefore, he said the indictment mpossi
bty But should be said that they attacked not history
but historian who be dangerous In consequence
of the errors (and perhaps also account OF the truth
which lac did they think they could control
the human conception OF history prevent its expression
by restra ming him The voice of history 70
speak the Of history History was now
one of the pressing demands OF the world Let them,
IL they pleased eprcss political pamphlets written for m
porsry they had the authors but little trouble
and the same ends could likely be attained by other
means. But this book pamphlet its end was IN
itself; its preliminary studies had exhausted life.
Gle had written in the fuhlment OF his vocation Of
bi,,orian-a vocation which he could not change
he would and would not il he could They might shu
him mp for four months, but the fifth he would be
work again. They might stop pamphlctcer, but they
could stop historian, hinder the hutop of lfs
They could compel him. indeed, t, make election be
tween his vocation and his faiberand, which he bac
served with honor and hoped yet Such penal
~, however, the Intention Of the government
and this showed sill further how false the position
which had rsken up. Let take in said the u
usous defendant M in the necessity of defending mysel
seem to lay aside my mode.y far AZ might consait
my liberty of defence My Introduction lays down law
Of historical development which is neither my properly 30
my invcnona law which the greatest thinker o. ~
d. duced from bis observation OF Gnecian history 49,
'vo ihors yerts ago IL may appear sofoe,',ss
"a .Oooaplace to be repeating at his nm' OF o"'