Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-11-09


srATE DIpARrxKsr.-- Political Conditions D, The
German Con fsdsracy, agaia.- Extracts Of letter
from correspondent residing at Augsburg, Ger
many, dated the 10th ultimo:
I" In the year 1850, when the conferences OF
Dresden took place, Austria proposed areforn OF
the Federal laws of Germany. Before the revolu-
ton II was Prussia that had made proposals OF this
kind The most important subjects Of interior
policy Prussia desired to be submitted to the de-
cisons Of the German Diet az, for instance, ques-
ions of legislation on commerce and duties, on the
monetary system the post office, the institution Of
tribunals, &c.
9 In those times, Austria, ruled by Prince Met
ternich, opposed any changes, particularly such
reforms as could lead to system Of greater poti-
cal unity.
"In 1850 Austria had changed her politics, and
Prussia had become an object of aversion 10 the
German governments, which she had contrived to
place under new imperial power. Austria, In
reyiying the authority Of central power, UNI
doubtedly worked for her own exclusive prepon-
defance !; but then Prussia declared the German
Diet ought TO he restored IL Was before, or not
to be restored ct all.
"The recent address Of the Bavarian represen-
tatives Is therefore, sgnifcative in the highest de-
gree. II is declaration for Austria and against
Prussia; yet the present constitution Of Austria
seems to render impossible tho creation of repre-
sentative Of the totally OF the German nation. A
House OF Representatives Of such kind as talked
Of SO long as there shall be Diet, could only be
composed Of deputies from the Representative
Assemblies Of the single States. Now, Austria
has no such Assembly. 1t 10 true, the Emperor
issued decree some years ago for the creation OF
Provincial Assemblies, but according to the Inn
perial plan, they were destined for affairs of no
importance-for provincial and local trifings, and,
besides, most of them do not exist at all as yet
Consequently, Austria Is wanting III a principal
eleint MT required to constitute future house Of
German Representatives Therefore, it is more
than probable, after all, that the late vote Of the
Bavarian House or Representatives will prove a
mere nothing. Prussia is hostile to national re-
forms Of such kind, and Austria finds herself in
snch position that IL is impossible for her to pro-
mote them without admitting other great changes.
The minor States can by no means enforce = re-
torn not consented to by the two great powers,
even If they were willing to do SO but they are
not. The words so often used Irrational represent
tation promotion Of German unity are always sure
to meet with resistance on the part Of the German
princes"
Extracts Of second letter on the same subject,
dated the 18th ultlmo
"a new conflict appears about to take place be-
tween Mr. Hassenpfug, the Prime Minister of
Hesse- Cassel and the House Of Representatives OF
that State. Five years ago the German Diet issued
decree, according TO which the government Of
Electoral Hesse was authorized, and even united,
to make such changes in the then existing consti-
tuition as were required by the fundamental laws
Of the conf derationthat is to say, TO modify any
paragraph Of the constitution that was in opposi-
ton to these laws.
"The Hessian government, instead OF doing
this, made an entirely new consttution.-a new
electoral law-and proposed 10 the House Il Rep
resentatiyes elected according to the new law, the
adoption of this new, and generally reputed, most
stupid constitution. But the Assembly, although
elected under the direct influence and after the law
Of Hassenphug opposed the plans of the minister,
and demanded that changes TO the constitution of
1881 should be voted on by the Representatives
elected according to the prescriptions of the same
constitution.
"The German Diet had, in opposition to the
Hessian minister ordered such changes to be first
submitted to the representatives, and to be voted
on by them.
"But the present House lie still more opposed to
the minister, who, at the opening Of the session,
declared his own new-patched constitution ought
TO be considered as the legal basis of their furure
legislation. But the House, the contrary, holds
the ancient constitutional be legally existing, and
desires that the German Diet shall be requested to
point out the particular parts Of II that the Diet
thinks not 70 be in harmony with the fundamental
laws Of Germany, and that those points, and no
other, shall be changed. Therefore, the House
has refused to take an oath Of fidelity TO Hasscn-
plugs constitution, as the minister had authori-
tatively demanded them TO do, and SO the matter
now stands"