The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-10-29
BALTIMORE.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER %, 1858.

There is something very touching in the account
which has been given to the world, of the depar-
ture of The stricken King of Prussia from his
palace of Potsdam, after resigning the powers Oh
government into the hands of his brother the
Prince of Prussia We are told by an eyewitness
that an immense crowd assembled at Inc halfway
Station. in Berlin, and greeted the retiring mon
orch with enthusiastic shouts, and earnest wishes
for his return in good health; that all along the
line of railway the train passed, similar crowds
saluted the royal party with shouts of 'Long live
the King" and that at Anhault, the expression
of sympathy for the suffering monarch was so
aAectngly evnced, that the King covered his
ssface with his hands, and with tears rolling
ssdown his cheeks exclaimed, addressing the
sPrnce of Prussia-Do you hear those shouts,
CIVILIAN? Ay 6azdiges aceiderschenl Good
usbyel Au rsroir p There was not" says the
writer "a dry eye at the station. 1t is impossible
nto describe the emotions of the Prince of Prussia.
eeThe Queen sobbed aloud and every man pres
cent vent So fell the curtain upon the first
King of the House of Brandenburg, that ever
surrendered, during his lifetime, his royal prerog-
atIves into the hands of another. There is
touch of nature in the little episode we have just
recorded. which brings the actors into close rela-
lions with the general heart, and teaches US the
moral, that kings and commoners are alike SUBJ
iect to 'sthe ills that flesh is heir to-" that all
stations have their cares, and that every man,
whatever may be his position in life must BEAR
as best he mav the burthen that has been imposed
upon him.. To Prussia the transfer of sovereign
powers from a King afflicted like GEORGE Ill.,
with periodical returns of lunacy, TO Prince Re
gent in full possession of all his faculties, and
ambitious of elevating his country to the first
rank in the Germanic Confederation cannot be
otherwise than a cause for unaoyed satisfaction.
FREDERICK WILLIAM ". was not a bad monarch
but his notions were pedantic and visionary.
On several occasions, between 1910 and lS4S, he
appeared inclined to sanction the introduction of
measures favorable to constitutional freedom, pop
uar education, and religious tolerance, but not
without indications of wavering and irresoution.
His intentions were good, but he lacked the force
of character necessary to carry them into effect
During the agitation that preceded the popular
outbreak of lS47, a constitution was demanded,
and he yielded to the pressure. He had scarcely
given to it his sanction before he declared that he
pOSSu
himself and his people. His wish was to occupy
towards them a parental relation, but he would
not consent to govern by fixed rules or to give
bond for his good behaviour. He promised liberty
of the press, but becoming alarmed at the conse-
quences of the concession took refuge in tempo
rzing expedients. Indignant at these evidences of
n vacillating and feeble policy the people clam
CURED for the immediate introduction of more
liberal measures. Their demands were refused
The next day barbados were thrown up in the
streets of Berlin and for the first time the students
and soldiers came into collision. Three days after
wards another sangunary engagement ensued,
when the King, who had retired to Potsdam, is
sued decree, sanctioning liberty of the press
and calling together new Ministry. Two days
subsequently he granted a general amnesty, but as
the spirit of disatfection had by this time become
rife throughout the kingdom, it had either to be
subdued by the strong hand, or soothed into quiet
ude by yielding consent to the popular demands.
For three weeks the King hesitated, but on the
18th of April he finally ratified, in solemn convoca-
ton, a free Constitution. Though thus made
Liberal by compulsion, he still remained an Abso-
lutist in principle, and chafed continually under
the imaginary loss of personal influence he had
sustained by surrendering portion of what he es-
teemed to be his hereditary prerogative. Surround
ed by an Absolutst Cdmarilla, who constantly
seized every opportunity that was offered by his
varying moods TO bring about restoration of the
old order of things-now swayed in favor of
Liberalism by his abstract love of right and now
moved by his Ministerial ADVISERS make Infringe
-, Pon Tie Constitutional liberty he had so
the last ten years of his reign, occasionally elic
ting expression of attachment from his people,
but more frequently laying himself open to indica-
tons of popular antpathy His brother the present
Regent of Prussia, is altogether a different
sort of a man. Sharp stern, decisive, what
ever line of policy he may hereafter adopt he
will carry ont with unwavering frmness. During
the Revolution o l84S he resolutely refused his
sanction to the popular demands. He would not
acknowledge the necessity for a Constitutional
government; but after he had reluctantly given
his assent to the new charter he was disposed to
conform with scrupulous fidelity to its provisions
Still, he was not trusted, and for five years bore
more than his full share of the odium which at
tached to the King and to his ministers for their re-
dictionary tendencies. Since the Russian war the
nation has come to know him better 1t recog-
Misses in him now ruler less learned, and per-
haps, ola less amiable disposition than his bro
ther, but far more consistent and reliable AS the
chief of party which has long been in
opposition to the Potsdam Camarilla, he
has been drawn nearer to the people, and they
now look forward to the Inauguration of domes-
tic policy which shall restore Prussia 10 the posi-
ton she is entitled to take in the Germanic Con-
federation, and of foreign policy which shall free
itself from Russian influence, and be more in
accordance with the general interests of Cont |
mental Europe.