The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-16
WASHINGTON, ID. G..
OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editor Of the National Era:

Il Is,
might be of some interest to your readers to
get a brief account of It's origin, and tho conse-
quences which there Is much probability that
il viii ultimately produce
The attempt which, under the direction of
the Dukes of Augustenburg and More the
Duchies of HolStein and Schleswig made In
lSiSl49. at separating themselves from Den
mark and IN which they were aided BY Ger
many. being frustrated bv the bravery of the
Danes and The armed interference of Sweden.
peace was, by the mediation of England and
Russia. at last concluded, on condition of the
submission of the Duchies. During the con
tinuation of this struggle, the King of Den
mark, Frederick VII, made spontaneous sac
rifce Of the absolute power, which, about one
hundred and eighty years previously, the Dan
ISL people, on account of its hatred to the arts
tocracy, had conferred upon one of his ances-
tors, and accorded 10 Denmark a liberal Con
stitutiOn.
In order to exclude the Dukes Of Augusten-
burg and their descendants from the Danish
throne, TO which they were lawful heirs in case
Of the extirpation of the present royal family
new order of succession was proposed, which,
while excluding tho house of Augustenburg
constituted, with the consent Of some other
heirs, the Duke of Gluckstadt the immediate
successor of the present King should he die
without leaving behind him any legitimate son.
This arrangement was made by the influence
of the Emperor Nicholas because, while as
remote heir TO the Danish throne he had not
hesitated in procaiInng his intention Of ad-
vancing no pretensOns to II, he would never
theless, by the means of the proposed new order
Of succession, which put aside many Of the
nearer heirs get a much fairer chance Of really
inheriting il. The liberal party among the
Danish Representatives, seeing the game that
was intended to be PLAYED made a strong oppo-
stion to the new order Of succession, when
offered to-the Diet for adoption; and, as they
were in the majority, the King, influenced by
RUSSIA, dissolved the Diet conyokiug a new
one, which, proving more obsequious, sane
toned, though only after bold resistance of
the minority, the bill in question.
In the summer Of 1851, the Minister for the
Foreign Affairs Of Denmark, NJ. Reedtz, paid
the Emperor of Russia a visit, at Warsaw il
order 10 direct the attention Of that monarch TO
the attempt of the Prussian and Austrian Gov
ernments at interfering in the internal affairs
Of Denmark. But the Gar declared that he
would not lend his aid in opposing the views of
the Austrian and Pwssian Courts relative to
the organization and administration of the
Danish State, at the same time expressing his
desire that the Danish Ministry should be made
subject 10 partial reconstruction, bv the
removal Of is most liberal members, especially
Clausen and Madyig. The impression which
the Emperor Nicholas made upon VI. Reedtz
who IL said to be a very weak man, was such
s To render him altogether Russian partisan
While NJ Reedtz was counting the favor of
the Car, one Of his colleagues, the Minister of
the Finances Nj. SpOnnech. visited Vienna.
where. instead of advancing the interests of his
country, and behaving it became so high
dignitarv among an Independent and brave
nation. he submitted TO receive instructions
from the Austrian Emperor and his Ministers
On his return to Copenhagen, he not
ashamed at advancing the views of foreign
Government, la acting against the prescriptions
of the Danish Constitution and the wishes Of
the Danish People His colleague NJ Reedtz,
having not the same courage. or actuated by
some remaining sense OF honor, refused to join
him IN this netarious work, and. resigning his
place retired 20 his estate in ,lutland. but has
now accepted the appointment Of member of
the Council of State
The resignation of NJ Reedtz took place in
IN October, 1851, and was viewed as a defeat of
the Russian party, especially as he was succeed
ed by NJ Bluhme. vino was considered triend
of the Constitution.
General Hansen, Minister of War. and a still
more bitter enemy of the Danish Constitution
than even Mr. Reedtz. had already, in the month
of July, 1851, retired from the Ministry But
he remained in Copenhagen, and put himself
together with Count Charles Mntlze, who had
entered the Cabinet on his leaving it, at the
head of the arstocratic, or. as it is termed, the
Junher-partv, which has for It's aim the abroga-
ton of the Constitution. Their plans" saws
Swedish paper, the 1ftoHbLadet," " were dis
cussed amidst DOctiia and splendid dinners to
which the present Minister for the Affairs of
Holstein, Count Revcutlow -Criminil, and
few foreign diplomatists. were constantly inyi-
tod 4 Z Ina oft o. Ia
the Prussan Minister. NJ. Won Ulerther and the
Secretary Of the Russian Legation, NJ Togo
borski. At the meetings of these conspira-
tors, As they indeed deserve to be called, the
plan was invented Of forming a Court CANA
Tilla, IN order, by the means of IT, To introduce
the ancient order Of things in Denmark, which
at last MeSSietps Uerthcr and Togoborski
hoped would have the result of bringing about
a state of things favorable to the then secret
plan OF the Russian Car and the Prussian
King, of dividing Denmark between them
selyes-the former receiving the Danish Isl
ands and the dominion over Oyesund or the
Sound, il is called in America, while the
Duches Of Holstein and Schleswig should be
the share OF the latter. That such plan has
been and perhaps Is still IN existence, there are
great many good reasons for believing.
NJ. Togoborski, who is now in Caucasus in
some public capacity, used to visit constantly
the meetings of the Danish Chambers in order
10 convince himself that the secret friends of
Russia did not neglect adroity to advance the
wishes of the Gar.
ne Oerstedt--that is. the present Ministry
has attempted, by a royal edct, issued bv their
lnshgatlons and intrigues, to deprive the Diet of
ats CHIEF lreroSatives, and TO set the Consti-
tuition altogether aside. The majority of the
Cabinet are acting evidently in the interests of
Russia, and at the outbreak of the war between
that empire and the Western Powers, they urced
the necessity Of Denmark declaring its deter.
mination to take up arms in behalf of the Gar.
This mad step was prevented at first bv the
vigorous opposition of VI. Bluhme the Minister
for Foreign Affairs, who was consequently near
enough OF being removed. in order to give place
for Count Reveutlow-C rimini, who might be
considered "a the chief the Russian party; but
the Gar, on being consulted advised the King
OF Denmark to adopt the plan of NJ Bluhme-
which was, TO remain neutral, as the best means
Of avoiding the danger of being crushed by the
overwhelming forces of France and England.
But. though the Emperor Nicholas prevented
his friends from accomplishing the daring
scheme 10 which their zeal prompted them and
which would else have either brought ruin upon
Denmark, or caused their own downfall ii is not
10 be supposed that he has renowned the hope
of making the military forces of Denmark sub
seryient to his interest, even during the present
lie Is too agaciOus not 10 have perceived
that a declaration of on the part of Den
mark, under the then circumstances, would
have resulted In the accomplishment of its ruin,
without any benefit to him at all. lie was
therefore satisfied, by the means of his friends
IN the Ministry TO prevent that kingdom from
taking the part of his enemies, aud 10 arrange
to Eaar, tho