The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-14


tinguished the Romish religion for thou-
sand years, from te time when the harbarous
nation, of the North surrounded the old
Reman republic, was gradually dinrned by
The light Of civilization brighter than that
which i created, and very soon the Pope will
become powerless chief at Rome. Ii is pos
sible that the recent concessions Of Louis Ma
poleon may have only aimed at securing the
appreciation Of the Legislature, press and
popuiace, and even England, to tie schemes Of
aggrandizement which he oontemplates.
We now turn to Prussia; and Prussia, we are
sorry TO say, is sadly in want Of good statesmen.
AT present all that she has are of second rate
abilities. Had she CayeGr there is little
affair now transporting ia the little German
State Of Hesse Ca=sel which might be turned to
very good account in showing Germany her
strength.
The Mector- OF Hcsss Cassel has offered bic
subjects constitution which the second Cham
Der has declined accepting, and the Diet has
consequently been dissolved. The plea of the
Chamber, on behalf of the people, il that there
iaaconstitution which Las long been illega lily
in allegiance, the restoration Of which they de-
mand instead Of the one offered by the govern
ment The people insist that their liber-
ties are being invaded by the new
constitution and the question, therefore,
'arises, is the Eector bound by the laws Ac-
cardins to the Austrian theory of government
he il not; and Austria has already on one coca
sion ,nterfered in defence of the Electors des-
potism, and quoted hisHesistng subjects But
Austria has now enough to do in r.inding her
own affairs; and Prussia hes explicitly stated
that she will permit no Austrian interference
in The affairs Of the Electorate
There is just now a fa7oa ..blc opportunity for
Prussia to come forward as the leader of Ger
many, whose position between the two great
despotisms OF France and Russia is perilous
enough when we consider that it is itself
divided into thirty-sx soveycignties. II Hun
gary and SclavOnia become disconnected from
the Austrian empire in the approaching war,
the necessity for some system by which they
may become absorbed is evident; and if Austria
itself is swept away in the great strife, Prussia
will stand alone as the acknowledged head Of
German power. What Germany is most in
need Of to insure strength is union. Why not
have united Germany as well as a united
Italy? The petty German sovereigns might
retain their crowns as vicegerents of Prussia,
and the consolidation could not fail in ele-
waiting the national character of Germany.
while its territory would no longer be the fight
ing ground or political chessboard of France
and Russia. The desire Of national unity is
already widely felt all over Germany, and 50
hsnl1 Ia had thatx
the French is talked Of as likely to procure this
boon. This, there is no doubt. would be
very agreeable duty for Louis Napoleon
to perform. 1t would crafty his own ambition
to make France the mistress Of the Continent.
and il would fatter the vanity Of the French
people, whose love Of territorial aggrandize-
ment amounts TO passion. The credit of hav-
ing done the work and tbe.cession of the Rhine
provinces would be an ample satisfaction. OF
course the probability is that this will never
occur unless the Austrian empire comes to an
abrupt end in the war, and Prussia proves her.
self unequal to the emergency. Then anybody
strong enough would be welcomed by the
Germans in their hour OF danger.
But why should the Germans not do this SER
vice for themselves and why should Prussia
not take in hand this work of regeneration
Disorganized although the country is, there il
still national vitality and love for national in
dependence enough among its people to make
us hopeful Of the best results. 1t would be as
suredly source of pride for these changes to
come from themselves, and anything but salts
factory from France. Prussia alone can supply
the motive power, and she ought to do it. Her
material wealth, tolerably liberal institutions
and efficient military and civil organization
give her decided influence and the means of
doing much but the want Of brains in her
Cabinet is, after all, serious disadvantage.
From the review we have just given, in which
is omitted all mention of the Tae-Ping reyolu-
ton, which threatens the overthrow OF the Tar
tar dynasty of China, the affairs of Turkey, Sy-
ria, Mexico and other less important revolu-
tonary movements, it will be seen, when we
turn TO our own country, that we are already
sharing few Of the dangers and disasters that
have overtakcn or threaten 10 oyertake the
other nations of the earth. And yet we are
only at the commencement Of the great strug-
gle which may lead to the rebaptism in the
"iovu VI Jul SVuhtiyHeH VI TIE South0Tu
portion Of this glorious inheritance-thc
United States-which, though still united,
we know not for how much longer. This, in.
deed, is critical period in the worlds history
and our own and we can only pray that the
fearful and melancholy catastrophe which Is
rapidly overtaking US may be yet averted by
the hand of Cancellation and spirit of mutual
forbcarance and just CO mpromise.