The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-09
THE POLITICAL STATE OF EUROPE.
special Correspondence Of the rnIOn.l
VIENNA. Oct. l2, 1858.


government, with royal power, has produced
a very agreeable impression here, and hopes are
now entertained that different policy will be adopt
ed in Berlin towards Austria and the States OF the
Zoi-Usreu. 1t is not expected, except by some very
sanguinous persons that Prussia win change her
ations as regards Russia or rush from the embrace
of the Gar to that of Lords Derby or Mamcsbury.
The ties of blood between Russia and Prussia are
quite strong as between Prussia aud England, and
England is not near neghbor OF Prussia
as Russia. Nevertheless it is believed here in
diplomatic circles, that the Prince of Prussia will
adopt more independent course-one which
shall be more national and throw fewer obstacles
in the way of q more perfect federal union of
Germany. Ii is well known that the coterie which
surrounds the kreusseitung and is known as the ultra
arisocratic (not royalist) party opposed both the
absolute regency OF the Prince of Prussia and a
friendly approach towards Austria This party
wanted mixed regency, which would have para
lyzed the power and energy Of the Prince of Prussia
and rendered him Instrument in the hands of de
signing men. The Prince, with the firmness and
nobility OF character which Hc Is known to possess
refused to be any longer the mere mandatory of a
cotere composed Of subjects being; as the next
| legitimate heir TO the throne designated by art
icle 56 of the constitution as the person exclu.
| siyely called upon to exercise the royal power.
| The Prince, from delicacy and respect for his
| brother, the King, consented to be for year
the mere executor of that which appeared to be the
royal WILL without participating himself III the gov
ernment of the country but distinctly declared that
he would not continue to play part 30 unworthy Of
himself longer than the 23d of October, 1864
olution which was hailed throughout Prussia, and |
may add throughout Germany, with unfeigned salts
| faction and pleasure. The people Of Prussia wanted
| to know by whom they were governed, and their af-
fection, is usual in all monarehes naturally turn.
cd toward the legitimate heir to the throne. With
| that sentiment well known and understood, it was
impossible to pass the 23d of October without def
nitcly settling the Regency. II the illness Of the
King continued (and the physicians gave no hope
whatever Of his recovery the States must be called
| together, and it would have been dangerous pre-
cedent to allow Parliament to decide whether the
King is disqualified to carry on the government.
compromise, therefore, was effected. The King ap-
pointed his brother the Prince of Prussia, by his
own free sovereign will sole Regent, wth no other
responsibility than to God !" till he himself should
be able to the government The Prince ac.
cepted the appointment with reference to para
graph 56 of the constitution and called an extaordi
nary session of the Chambers to meet the 10th Of
this month at Berlin This is merely to satisfy
the requirements OF the constitutions for the Prince
| has never been satisfied with the manner in which
the last Chamber was elected, and Herr Won West
phalen the late Minister of the Interior, who had
been the ministerial manager of those elections,
found it e2pedient to tender at once lis resignation
II is not kely therefore, that the old Chambers will
be long III session, but it is quite certain that the
elections of the new one, which are about to take
place will afford greater scope for the expression OF
the popular wl The Prince of Prussia is not lib
1
military prop1nsites rather giving him an impulse
| in opposite direction but it SO happens that
the liberal party in Prussia kas been most devoted
to his person. and that the antberals opposed his
absolute accession TO the government Thus new
i relations have been created and new sympathies
/ awakened which may not be without serious inlil-
cnce upon the development and progress Of the
country.
Between Austria and Prussia there has not been a
cordial good understanding since the events OF lsiS
From that period throughout the Russian war; up
to this very moment, Austria and Prussie have been
rival powers Previous to that period, Prussia was
the favore OF the liberal party iii Germany; strange
to say, since the last revolutions in Europe Austria
has occupied that position, and were it not for
the Concordat would have gained OH Prussia even
in the Protestant States Of Germany. The very
misfortuncs of Austria to have created
sympathes in her favor. Austria, made wiser
by the revolution Of 1913, has introduced many
radical reforms in her government. She has
1 protected commerce and manufactures and eman-
cipated the pcasanry throughout her provinces
But above all things she has cndcavored to German
ize her Hungarian and Solavonic provinces, and or
/ that purpose assimilaied her government to the
States Of the Germanic confederation. She asked to
join the Zolkpretn, rcmodeled her coinage, and al
the Diet at Frankfort, took the lead in all questions
relating to the integrity and power of the Germanic
confederation In all these things she pursued the
very of the policy adhered to during the adj
! mnistration of the government by Prince Meter
nch, and the most acceptable to tho liberal par
ty i'll Germany. But in proportion as Austria gained
in public opinion she lost with certain reactionary
! party in Germany, which surrounded the person OF
the King OF Prussia In tho Russian war, the con
fercnces in Paris, in the Danubian principates, in
Italy, in Switzerland and in all the questions relating
to the Zoi- -rerc Austria and Prussia occupied posi-
| tions less opposed to each other, and this
| species of dualsm rendered it impossible for Ger
many, in any Of the important questions which
have agitated Europe for the last ten years, TO
| throw her weight-the weight OF seventy mil
| lions Of pcople--in the balance of power. This
state Of things it is now hoped in Vienna will cease
! with the accession of the Prince Of Prussia to the
government. Prussia, they say, will come to bet
ter understanding with Austria without changing
her relations toward Russia because Austria her
sell has ceased to occupy a hostile position toward
thatpower The tone Of the ocions press Of Austria
has recently undergone great change in regard to
Russia and il las always been favorable TO the abso
lutte power Of the Prince of Prussia. i should in
deed, not be surprised if before many months the
former relations Of Russia, Austria and Prussia
were to be entirely re-establishedand this, notwih
| standing the enmity of the Brussels Nord toward
Austria, and the acquisition by Russia OF the Sar-
dnian port of Vilairanca.
The power which is most active in detaching Prus-
sia from Russia, and inducing more intimate ap-
proach between Austria and Prussia, is England
because between her and Russia there exists hered
/ itary teud, based material conflict which has
! commenced but not ended, with the late war. In
| the event of the disnemberment of Turkey Aus.
| tria claims but modest part her share, ex
/ tending, in all probability, not beyond the Danu
bau princpalities and the entire west coast of the
| Adratc; while England, by every extension of Rus.
sia into Asia Minor, can see nothing but danger aud
/ - II