, 1866-05-04

without dissatisfaction, for his object had
been attained. He had announced to
Austria that she must fight or surrender
all hope of German influence, and to the
people Of Germany that his object was
not only HolStein, but unity. That an
nouncement paralyzes the Princes. They
cannot fight without their subjects con-
sent, and their subjects look 10 a union
of North Germany as Americans look 10
the ultimate ownership Of the continent
on which they reside. They will not
fight against it, or consent that their
Princes should fight, and Austria, while
forced into war, Is stripped at a blow of
her natural allies. The Kaiser is COM
PEELED to choose between an avowed re-
treat from Germany or war, and there
can scarcely remain a doubt as to the
choice he will make. Indeed it is alrea-
dy made in the demand that Prussia
should demobilize her army, a demand
which was either a folly unworthy Of
craftsmanship, or a serious menace, and
which has already been met by Prussia
with Il formal refusal, followed up by the
statement, which always precedes a great
Continental war, that Prussia considerSAuS-
trian ornaments as levied against herself.
After that the preservation of peace is
a mere possibility, and Prussia enters the
war with two most important advantages
the sympathy of North Germans, and
the right, if she wins, TO insist on the
'treform of the Federation. The King
in fact plays his game not for a ducal
c%oronet, but an Imperial Grown, and
plays it without the chance of resistance
from those who are to become his sub
lectS. The hope of an ultimate union is
so dear to most German hearts, that even
the PruSSian Liberals are constrained to
respect the politician who dares strike
hard for the prize, aw the Prpssian
Chamber assembled Tomorrow it would,
if the journals may be trusted, vote first
that BiSmark should be dismissed, and
next that his policy should be carried on.
The next step will be to pardon him for
the sake of his policy, and we may yet
see the PruSslan Chamber eagerly voting
support to the man who, while suspend
ing the national Constitution, promises
to enlarge the national bounds. And in
deed it is hard even for Englshmen not
to acknowledge that they have been I'M
lust to Count Won Bismark. The mans
policy is detcstabIe, but his objects are
great, his plans adequate, and his ability
marvellous. A mere squireen, trained
only to s%econd-ratc diplomacy, he has
raised himself TO the absolute sway of a
kingdom, which no sooner obeys him than
he begins to turn it into an empire. If
he succeeds he will have fulfilled the most
cherished desire of his CONTRIBUTIONS
plished for Germany all, save freedom,
which Cavour secured for the italian peo-
pie. Doubtless he is a lower man than
the great Italian who knew so well the
power latent in free institutions, and who
dying refused to govern with a state OF
siege; but he has much larger means,
and he uses them with at least equal
daring. The man who in his position
can at once govern Prussia, keep down
the Liberals, compel Liberals to admire
him, defy the Austrian army, outwit the
Austrian diplomatists, and either face or
conciliate the Emperor Napoleon, must
be, whatever his faults or his dement's,
"a man Of statesmanlike brain. He may
lose his game ever now, for he has made
a mistake in alternating the Liberals, and
Austria can by surrendering Venetia
break almost loose from the tolls, but SO