New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-01
GERMANY.


Relow the conflict which az this moment agi-
tstes Germany, dividing it into the partisans OF
Prussia and the partisans OF Austria, below The
question Of Scbleswig. HOstein and its emanclpa.
ton from Denmark, below tie still more difficult
question in Hesse Cassell between the COnsttu-
tion ON the one side and the will Of the degraded
and dissolute ElectOr on the other, below the
aspiration and the tendency to Unity or central
zation, below even the fear of French INVASION
below all these can be distinctly perceived the
silent but sure approach of terrible CONFUSION
TINT will involve the whole German people.
The power which is preparing this con-
vulsion is simply Democracy, which is more and
more becoming the creed, not of the working
masses. but of the higher social strata, and
especially of Government officers and employees.
This class is composed of active, intelligent, ed
ucated, and very influential men. Hitherto
they have always been on the side of the Princes,
or at least have acted in their behalf with the
so.called conservative or bourgeois element 1t
the German nation; but this will not erV,e It. W
the case hereafter. Nor is it tho lower ranges
Of the official hierarchy who are becoming ad.
herents of democratic ideas, but the very SUM
mite of the edifce, the Geheimerdthe or Priyy
Councillors, and these not of one or OF few,
but of all the German princes. 1t would seem
that the German mind, turning its speculative
tendencies to questions Of social organization and
of domestic policy, has gone to work with the
same slow but steady and unrclcnting logic as
il employed in celebrating the Reformation, in
constructing the most abstruse metaphysical sys-
tens, and in prosecuting the natural and exact
sciences. Germany il therefore nearer to
thorough transformation of her social condition
than is generally believed by superficial OBJ
servers; and this transformation will have De-
mocracy for its basis and its inspiration. When
this will come, Of course cannot be foretold; but
before many years crash may take place which
will engulf all the political questions now efier-
yescing on the surface, and Austrian and Prussian
supremacy may be wrapped in one aud the same
shroud.
At present, this nsolublc question Of suprem-
acy divides Universities and publicists into two
bitterly hostile camps, as much as the Secession
controversy now divides the American capital.
As Southen men avoid and separate from North
erners even in the most minute social relations,
30 in German cities, small or great and,
above all, in those having Universities, the part
sans Of Prussia and Austria are scarcely on
speaking terms. Our occasional contributor,
julius Froebel, 20 well known TO American lit
erary and scientific circles, is at present VIC.
tim of this hostility. Since his return to Ger
many, Froebel has Of course taken an active part
in political discussions; and after the events of
1859, and the discontinue Of Austria, no pub
lished pamphlet strongly advocating the inter-
ests Of Austria and contending for her supren-
acy in Germany lie selected the City Of Hell
delberg for bis residence, and as Heidelberg is
principal center of the partsans of Prussia, the
unlucky advocate of Austria is stunned and out
lawed by his former felow.representatiyes in the
celebrated Frankfort Parliament of lei9
The German Princes are well aware that their
thrones are being thoroughly undermined, in the
most genuine German fashion, that is, by an idea,
which from speculation viii pass into fact.
They know that on account of this genuine 10.
tional method Of elaboration, there is little if eny
help for them. Their last means of averting the
danger, at least for time, and postponing the
democratic eruption, is a foreign war. An in
vasion of Germany would again raise the people
against the foe, and divert the German mind
from its devotion to the terrible democratic
spectre The Princes would have, therefore, no
objection TO little quarrel with Denmark, or
even with France In this view, that concen.
traton Of vanity, the Prince Regent OF Prussia,
is urging forward the military reform in that coun
try, which sto give him nearly million Of soldiers,
not TO speak Of the other German contingents.
If he succeeds in this attempt at recognizing
his army, it would not be surprising to see him
arroganty pick quarrel with Louis Napoleon,
and thus prccipitate the bursting of the storm
that is lowering over Europe.