The New York herald., 1862-03-05
The German Confederation.
THE AGITATION FOR THE LEAD OF THE FEDERAL


From the London Times Feb l4.)
Prussia tho leader of the German Confederation
Her position has also been strengthened BY the demon
straiions Of :tichmeht mac by The Inhabitants Of the
Rhine province. two years ago. The Rhinelandcrs, it
need be said expressed more their love OF German
nationality than OF the rule Of Berlin, but still tho rus-
sian power gains by having among its subjects those
who stand in the first line Of German defence Since
King Williams visit 10 Compegne, and the declaration
that u good understanding exists between IN, two
mona chies, Prussiaa influence on the Confederation
is naturally more powerful than ever. II may
be that the Court Of Berlin is willing to take
advantage Of this pro c.n;nencc to gain q per-
mancnt authority ut the expense Of its grct
rival Of Vienna For the present Austria do little for
the Fatherland She is Of danger, and not Of
safety In any convulsion she would exhaust and not
feed ts resources. Sho has enemies to fight beyond
the limits Of the Confederation, Gni too strict alliance
ui her could not only call dorm e emily cf France but
would occupy tho forces OF tho German States other
concerns than defending the national Independence.
To make the forces Of the Confederation available
for the safety OF Germany by placing them, when
necessary under the control OF single sovereign and to
DO away with the cumbrous machinery which, though
we'll calculated 10 preserve the rights aud satisfy
the SELF of each petty sovereign, Is yet
suited the rapid action of modern warare-such
the wishes or Of the best politicians In Germany
and tho secret aspirations o: the great boiy Of tho pc
pc Is sing llar, then, that though the wants OF the
country have bscn boldly sp ken Of IL the German news
pers and evtn OF the Chambers tho governments
arc with any definite notions Of what Is to be done
even Of what they the emsclvcs dcs G. Nothing be
more misty and unnelgible than the soc ied projects
OF organization popoundcd and combated by persons in
autho y. or late there has been correspondence be-
tween the Saxon and Prrssisn governments. Baron
cust the Saxon Minister may be supposed to represent
the interests OF the minor and purely German States In
the Powers and to the states
which, like Denmark, have possessions beyond the
limits o the Federation. Having pondored over the nature
The Cofe Iteration and th interests Of the states Baron
Beust recommends, far understand that the
federal organization should be reconstructed by uniting
the whole Of the sovereigntes composing II nto some
thing which shall have the character OF federal state.
This plan Is opposed by tho PrussiIn government aud
Count BcrnsiorH devoted very long and most
despatch We; Ks aso TO combating the arguments
of BARON Bet ST. Tbs Prussian minister thinks that the
great evil Of the present Confederation s not that 1t Is
cubrous for purposes Of defence but that IL Is too
active IN purely civil and domestic matters The federal
cons titution Count Iernstor complains has not pre-.
served the purely ntcrna nal character Of the Dict
but has altered II by interfering with questions OF
internal public law. He declares that the fact
vitaton aud the centre Of their organization"
beyond the jurisdiction Of the Diet prccudes tie posi-
eiy o nc Nv sr, tcs e ,he ascr en "a
ny Is endeavoring 10 fuse Germany into fedcraiivc
whole, that by acting together the minor States may
he able to control Prussia Ia Prussia, on the other hand
is ,hehamcn Of State independence and will not give
ur her freedom of action 10 authority which might
fail under the influence Of her rival Austria, Of
bination Of petty States II Is tn, cutcst as took
place in 1850 whom tile minor States nstgatcd by Aus
ir endeavorcd TO draw Prussia into war with France
and Prussia declared that her duties European Power
considered before her duties member Of the
Confederation II Is interesting TO those who have studied
American politics to soc the jealousy wi'hwlch Prussia
res SITS tho supremacy cf federal Assembly and federal
Presidents. Count Bornstor declares that In the Diet
advocated by Beust the two great German Powers would
net send half tho members and he implies that the idea
OF allowing national affairs and consequently, In some do
gree the affairs Of Prussia 10 be administered by minor
Princes chosen by any federal machinery, is quite mad
missiblc.
We have given this slight sketch Of long controversy
because II shows that the German sovorcigns, In cxpeca
tion Of great and perhaps not far distant dangers
are more actuatcd by dstrust OK elch other than
by fear Of common enemy. The Confederation is
not TO them merely organization for defence
IL Is a machinery by which they obtain influence
over each others policy, and pursue their several
schemes Of ambition We now Prussia on the defcn.
sve In spite Of her great superiority OF strength and
the position which recent events have given her she Is
actually content with resisting attempt OF the minor
states draw her into subsection to federal authority
From such a condition q high spirited monarch would
soon deliver his Kingdom. II is for Srussa 10 take tho
Initiative plans Of REFORM and 10 rest satisfied with
obectng to those Of her neighbors Germans all feel
that change s necessary, and In the absence Of any
Prussian policy each sovereign and caeh minister pro-
his