The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-16
TWO CENTS.
LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
Ispsela, oa,re ,p0nasnes q tae unIoa. ]

burg having given up their opposition TO the abo-
ton of the transit dues, that measure would at once
be proposed to the Zoii-Uerein Congress,
bled at Hanover, and carried unanimously. 1t was
well known that that was proposition which was
supported by Austria and that Hanover and all the
northern German States supported il. The moment,
therefore, that Bavaria the most considerable Ger
man State after Prussia, was known to be favorable
to the measure il was considered as good carried
Besides, the Prussan Minister of Commerce was q
advocate of the abolition of the transit dues
that everything seemed to favor the proposition,
when all at once and after the whole German press
was committed to the measure, we again have the
rumor that Prussia will not vote for the en-
tire abolition of these transit duties, but merely
for reduction in the respective amounts The
new opposition To the entire abolition of tho
duties comes from the Prussian Minister of FL
nance, who, it is said, cannot allow revenue
of nearly 100000 rx-dolisrs, which Prussia derives
from them, to slip through his fc2ers. So, then,
difference of opioion in the cabinet of Berlin defeats
a measure which the whole of Germany has already
hailed as an earnest Of an enlightened commercial
policy for all the States Of tho Zollverein. The
proposition however, is not dead. Austria will in
all probability, bring it before the Germanic Confed
Grafton at Frankfor -on-theMain and the Prussians
themselves will bring 1T before the Prussan Cham
bers. The Prince of Prussia, who is recognised as
Of national principles aud great force of charac
ter, will it is expected act in the matter as soon as
the regency question is settled in regard to which
he has thus far acted with much delicacy and re-
Spect IOT his TOyL pIOtneT, ana SO entlrely Ill
cordanae with public sentiment in Prussia and
throughout Germany. The abolition of the transit
duties in Germany is thus made q mere uues-
tion of time but it is great pity that it should
not be carried at once, and the friends Of the
measure still hopo for its adoption by the with
drawa on the part Of Prussia, of all opposition
to it. The other propositions Of Austria in re-
gard to the duties on wine the assimilation, of the
tariffs of Austria and the Zoll-verein, &c., have
all been negatived but if the transit duties were
ohxl.. .Ix1I atr,p L. Az Il
tion and the great work of Matchmaking Germany
through commerce and industry use the words
of Baron Bauck the very able Austrian Minister of
Finance-might approach its fual accomplishment.
The hopes OF Germany are now concentrated in the
Prince of Prussia aud il is hoped that when the re-
gency question shall be finally disposed OF new
era will begin for the material and intellectual devel
opment Of the German fatherland Thus far, his
Royal Highless the Prince Of Prussia has been
known only as soldiers but the circumstances in
which melancholy event has placed him have at
once directed his mind to those important practical
questions of craftsmanship on the solution Of which
must eventually depend the success Of every eright-
ened government. II any monarch can make con
cessions to the enlightened spirit Of the age it the
monarch Of Prussia, who rules over an enlightened,
loyal people, wel-ipforlned, instructed in every
branch OF learning, frugal and Industrious It
is by promoting the welfare of the industri-
ous classes, by yieiing gradually to the cxigan-
cies of the times, that those earthauakes are
ernments consolidated in public opinion Neither
the transit duties nor the river dues can long be
continued in Germany, after majority of the Ger
man governments themselves, with the Princes at
their head and the entire people to follow them
have pronounced against these measures as onerous
yexatious, and opposed to the best interests of
King and country.
The sum of 100000 rix-dolIars, which Prussia
would lose by the entire abolition Of the transit du
ties after ALL but trie for such country as Prus
cio with n of frnn q m,
of rx-dolars. Some little saving in one branch or
other the slightest increase in one or the other
branch Of the public revenue, direct or indirect
would destroy 80 small deficit and Prussia would
mmeasurably gain in public estimation through all
the German States. These considerations must
weigh with the Prince of Prussia and they will have
their effect when the Prince shall be ntrusted with
the reins of government. There was a report few
days ago that the regency question already set
tied, that the King had signed all the necessary pa
pers in regard to it. but that their contents would
not be made public till the Princes return from
Warsaw, whittier he has gone, at the express inyi-
tation OF the Emperor of Russia to witness the
great military manGuvres The Prince is expected
to return on the 2Sth Of this month but much
doubt whether, by that time, the regency question
will be settled. The 23d October is fixed for the
definite regulation of that important matter, and be-
yond that date it cannot by any possibility be de-
layed.
The emancipation Of the serfs in Russia, to which
from meeting the ready cooperation of the nobles
and great difficulties are expected to arise from any
attempt to carry it out by force Certain it is that
the serf have risen in several governments of Rus
sia, and that the military had to interfere to preserve
order. 1t is not by piece of parchment or royal
decree that men not practically used to the free ex-
ercse Of their faculties, and not being conscious of
those faculties which they have employed, can
be made free. The progress in all countries where
liberty has taken permanent root has been slow, and
though single ruler may, in this respect, go
further than any Legislative body, yet lie must
be cautious lest by the very means he employs
There are historical right and right of reason
which in everlasting conflict and it is by tenn
perate and wise compromise between them that all
improvements in the art of government
have been introduced. Tho present Emperor Of
Russia is most unquestionably benevolent kind
hearted noble-minded sovereign, who is animated
by no other sentiment than that of love and con-
,ideraton for his people but it is not sufficient
that great monarch should be prompted by elevar
ted motives he must also have experience and
ict to temper even his improvements .th modera-
ion and discretion.
In his foreign policy, the Emperor Alexander ii Of
Russia is evidently more successful than in his
domestic policy. His treaties with the Celestial
Empire have secured to Russia valuable ports on |
he Pacific ocean, and an extended commercial de-
,elopment far in advance Of all previous epochs in
Russian history The acquisition Of the port Of |
ajrmod, in the Mediterranean, is another step in
he right direction and, if Russia improve her pres
mt opportunities, she will, in very brief space of
ime, recover all she has sacrificed in the Crimean
var, and be more powerful and influential than
,ver The Russians are naturally quite as good mer-
chants as soldiers, and must sooner or later, deve