New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-27
THE RssR or PRUSSIA.


which Prussia has at present attained into its plst his
tory, we cannot but be struck with the unparalleled
apdty of its progress and the abundance of strength
and vitality of its people, of which the rapid progress
Of the State has been the natural result. 1t is no
more than 100 years when the Elector OF Brandon
burg, Frederic Ill, assumed the title of King OF
Prussia, and thereby secured for his State lasting
position among the European Powers. The new king
dom had no more than one and half millions of in
habtants, thus being in point OF population one OF
the weakest, while in point Of administration and
financial prosperity it already was one OF the strong
ost, European Stsies
Forty years later Frederick the Great appeared up
on the stage Of history. The population OF Prussia at
be time Of MS accession two and third millions.
Notwithstanding the immense disparity resources he
boldly rsked war against Austria, one OF the most
powerful States OF Europe for the conquest OF SleSia
aud to the establishment of the world carried his point
thus making 90 Prussia larger addition than she had
ever received at a time and greatly eevang her in
her rank among the European States Prussia num-
bered only about 900 900 OF inhabitants when Aus.
tra succeeded in bringing about acoalton of Austria
Russia, France Sweden and SaEony, which tested
the strength Of Prussia and her King in the ordeal Of
the seven years war as hardly State and king
have been tested. From the end of this war, in
which Frederick remained unconquered, Prussia has
always been recognized leading power OF Europe.
At the beginning of the present century, Prussia,
like so many other States, lay conquered at the feet
of the First Napoleon. The King, Frederic William
Ill, had TO cede one half of his territory and to
sent to the occupation of tire other half by French
troops But some of the sblest statesmen the world
has ever seen in particular Stein, knew how to reor-
gauize the State and to prepare it for the war OF hber
alton. In the great European war of 1913 to
1915, and in the defeat OF Napoleon, Prus-
STA took leading part. The Encouragement oil
Europe by the Congress of Vienna made Prussia more
powerful than ever From That time she was counted
with France, England, Russia and Austria one OF the
Great Powers ID Europe.
The Union movement which arose in Germany i'm
mediaely after the Congress of Vienna made Prussia
the natural rival of Austria. Austria had popala
ton more than double that of Prussia, but in every
other respect the advantage was with Prussia. The
King of Prussia ruled over more Germans than the
Emperor Of Austria, and in point of administration
Prussia was largely ahead not only of every state
of Germany, but of almost every State of Europe
Prussia came 10 be everywhere looked upon as the
chief representative OF the national spirit and the m"
tional interests Of Germany Unfortunately, the
Prussian Government did little ar nothing to foster
the tendency toward national uncA but rather joined
the other Governments in depressing the popular de-
mand for liberal reforms
Nevertheless Il was so obvious that of all the exi4i
ing German Governments, that Of Prussia was best
able to complete the union Of the German poop >
that the first National Parliament which aSsen,h'm
in 5i3 10 Frankfort. In consequence OF SuceesSul
revolution elected on the 9th Of March lSi9, by 2so
yeas against 2i3 who declined voting, King Frederic
William ". German Emperor. The atuatioa OF
Prussia was then in many respects, much more tayor
able than before the outbrl5k of the recent war.
much larger majority of the people was then IN favor
of completing at once tho union ~ all German
districts, inclusive of the German Crcwnlands
of Austria and of SShleswig This disposition
nowhere showed hself so strong as in Wur-
tembcrg, now distinguished for its oppoa'
ton to the PrusSiap project Austria was less
prepared for war; for the instruction IN Hungary was
not ut put down. Nothing was TO 30 feared nom
France, which had moro than enough 10 do with the
regulation of It's own affairs. The only ally OF Aus
trs Russia might possibly have attempted m armed
interference, but man of the energy OF BismarN
could at any moment havo found powerful allies IN
the Poles and Hungarians. But at that tme Prussia
lacked Bsmark. The King declined the Imperial
crown. The Parliament was gradually killed. ScVe
raj efforts which tho Prussiln Government made on
its part TO unite the German States without Austria
failed and finally the policy of Austria obtained over
that Of Prussia tho comotes triumph by the Iestora
ton of the Federal dot
The Pru ssian policy remained Ainlosy until tho APP
pointnont of Count Bismafk "a Prlme Minister l,
is now we'll known that the primary object OF Bis
marks policy was % force Austria ont oil Germany
and TO have the remainder OF tso Coniederaied states
oithor swallowed up by Prussia Or rsorgln'soi uaae