Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-08-21
An Important Meeting of sovereigns.

The European news received by the Hibernian
appriscs us If very remarkable and important
meeting of S0veTeigus which has just been con-
yokcd ny the Emperor Of Austria. He has ad-
dressed an autograph letter to all the Priacf of
Germany as well as to tue Burgomasters of the
Free Cities, inviting them to meet in person at
Frankfort on-thsA Main for the purpose of de-
liberating on the reconstruction of Germany.
This is by far the most important concession
which has yet been made, on the part of the
German priuces to the steadily growing demand
Of the German people Tor the re- establishment of
n United Germany. Since 1906, when the last
Emperor was compelled to abdicate Germany
has been disjointed nation each prince and each
Free City maintaining that sovereignty which
formerly belonged to the German Empire alone.
The attempt Of the Revolution of lSlS to recon
struet the German unity was only temporarily
successful Since then the demand Of the Ger
man people for tue establishment of some kind
oil political union has become imperiOus and so
unauinous that even he Princes see the danger
Of 9stiug any longer the popular current and
the neec 'sty OF making some advances to 'he
people.
la lSls it was the wish of the great majority
of the Liberal party, that Prussia 'eht take the
lead in the Union Movement. A bold and ener-
getic King of Prussia would have united Germany
without any greater trouble than il cost Victor
Emanuel to unite Italy Austria was at that time
abhorred as one oi the most despotic COVE. lments
OF Europe; Prussia admired for the perfection of
its system Of public instruction. and the advanced
Liberalism of he majority Of its population. But
Frederick william w. shrank from the danger
Gus task. His succc ,sor William l., after re-
kiulling for II short time the hopes of the Libe-
rails, soon inaugurated more oppressive and
odioOs form of government than ever Austria
had been subject to-. Austria on the other hand
made the unexpected attempt to regain her lost
position in Europe by r. olutely abandoning the
| principles of absolute monarchy and making an
apparently sincere trial Of constitutional foTms
Of government.
The result of his change n The policy of the
two great German Governments has been aston
ishing. The Prussian Government has forfeited
the confidence Of all its own people, as well as
| of tho other German States. Its influence on
the solution Of the German question has already
clIned and, in the same proportion, that Of
Austria has risen. While Prussia has remained
in sulky silence , the national question, Austria
hns announced her cordial sympathy with the
idea of u German union, and in particular with
the first step of it, the oOnvOcation of General
Assembly, representing tho Legislatures Of all
the German States. Several propositions toward
this end were made by Austria Inst year in the
r. leral Diet. when they were defeated by the
opposition Of Prussia.
The grelt progress which the plan of poll
HE German people has induced the Austrian
Government to tike another important step in
the same direction by proposing meeting oi
all the German princes. Some important move
on the part of Austria was anticipated, as, few
weeks ago, the Duke Of Sake COburg, who more
than any other German prince has fully iden
tilted himself with the National movement anG
given to it all the support in his power, paid "A
visit to .he Emperor of Austria, for the purpOst
/ of deiberhting with him on the subject. Iaker
in connection with this visit, the cOnvOcatOn Oi
q meeting of German princes appears TO be biz
of Austrin for IL compromise and, if possible, to
= union with tho Liberal Party OF the @ ermal
5 nation.
The latter in the meanwhile, has been very
active A meeting Of all the members of thu
former and the present Legislatures of the Ger
man States has been called to meet in Frankfort
on. the Main, on the 2lst and 22d of the presen
Q month"; TO discuss the question Of German unity
g and to provide for mn annual convOcation of
C Congress of German Deputies. 1t is vevy imprO
i bable that Austria, at the meeting Of the Germa
b Princes, will make any propositions sufficient
liberal to satisfy the representatives of the Ger
man Legislatures, and still more improbable tha
| the princes will be able to agree on truly liberG
- reforms but it is obvious that this lat 1t NOV
d Of Austria must give great encouragement to tn
i national movement, and that those princCs VIII
r. shall hereafter venture to make to the will Of tn
c people All open resistance will incur tho creates
&c danger.
4. II will hardly be long ere the German questio
n will divide with the Polish question the atten
l. ton of European diplomacy. For if ever IL
n union of the German States should be accon
es plished, new Empire would be created in Il
le centre Of Europe, which would contain pOpu
st htion Of at least seventy millions of inhabtant
G. MS the non-German population of Austria at
h. Prussia woNld be yirtually--if not formally
" corporOted with it, As Democracy is at prese
numerically no where in Europe so strong as
ID Germany, every progress in the realization
es German unity will be of far-rea9bng inluen
n on Europeau politics in General.-New 10
,k 7riJHRt.