The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-24
Prussia and the Schleswig-HOIstefn Dit
Gculty-Its COnse4uences TO Europe.

Prussia and the schieswig-HoIstein DIFF
Hculty-Its Consequences to Europe.
When King of Prussia, on ascending the
throne, delivers an address in which he calls
upon his generals to prepare for great strug-
gle, in which the kingdom must sustain her
former prestige, and conquer or suffer destruc-
ton, we naturally look around to ascertain the
cause of such an apparently uncalled for and
unexpected announcement. For Prussia, above
all nations, to assume this threatening tone, is
remarkable, and presents strong contrast to
the peace policy she has been hitherto pursu-
ing.
We are told by the continental journals that
it is the intention of Prussia to make war
against Denmark, with a view to the final set
tlement of the Schleswig- Holstein question, by
which the national rights and liberties of the Ger
mans resident in those Duchies will be secured
from the despotism Of the Danish government.
The present King of Denmark assembled the
throne in lS4S, and took the coronation oath
according to usage as Duke of Schleswig-Hol-
stein, accepting at the same time the con-
ditions named in the original compact. Shortly
afterwards, however, the democratic party at
Copenhagen petitioned the King urgently to
sunder the Duchies and incorporate Schleswig;
and this the King did, to the great indignation
of the Anglo-Saxons of both Schleswig and
Holstein. The illegality of this act is too evil
dent to need explanations but it was replied to
by an equally illegal act-that of the Frank
fort Parliament passing decree incorporating
Holstein with Germany. The Schleswig-Hol-
steiners by this time took the matter into their
own hands, and commenced war against the
King for the purpose of forcing him to adhere
to the terms of his coronation oath. This con-
tinued-Prussia having meanwhile concluded
a peace with the Danes till lS5l-with con-
siderable damage to both sides, but no advan-
tage to either. Just then Prussia and Austria,
acting in conjunction, came in as arbitrators at
the invitation Of Denmark, and compelled the
troops of the Duchies to lay down their arms,
in consideration of receiving from the German
Confederation a guarantee of the union of the
the Duchies After this q convention was en-
tered into between Prussia, in the name of Ger
many, and Denmark, for the future govern
ments, in detail, of the Duchies, which were
restored.
This convention the Prussians now declare
to have been treated with open defiance by the
Danes, both in its political and social bearings.
Instead of giving to each Duchy, as agreed,
an Independent political existence by the
creation of local Assembly, having
control over its own taxation, and allowing
perfect liberty in the use Of the German
language, the Danish government has used
every means to blot out the nationality Of the
German Schleswig .HoIsteners by all sorts Of
harassing restrictions Danish clergy have
been substituted for German clergy, against the
the will Of the inhabitants, and the teaching or
speaking of the German language has been
entirely prohibited up to within the last few
weeks. These social grievances have natural
ly aroused strong feeling in Northern Germa'
ny against the DANISH oppressors. And as the
convention was entered into at the instance Of
Prussia, at time when the Schleswig- Holstein-
ers occupied military positions which enabled
them to keep their oppressors at bay Prussia
now feels bound to deliver them from the yoke.
Whatever may be the advisability Of Prus-
STA reviving this old quarrel, or whatever the
probability of its proving disastrous to her
self, we cannot but admit that she has good
ground for complaint and interference. 1t
would be we'll for Denmark to comply with the
demand of the German Confederation before the
expiration of the six weeks allowed for conside.
ration, and so obviate war altogether. The block.
ade of the German ports by the Danish feet,
an immediate consequences Of The war; would
make the question no longer purely German,
but European one, and Prussia, without a
navy, would be powerlcss This would be the
moment at which Louis Napoleon world stcpin,
and, aided by Sweden, and possibly Russia ana
England, espousc The Danish cause; and the pas
sage Of the Eyder might prove more destruc-