New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-30
Mr. Rnncron 10 lrr. S,rnrd.

Mr. Bancroft 10 Mr. Seiodrd
AMERICAS LEGATION, BERLIN, Nov l. 1851.
SIR The ntcre-t OF residence at Berlin at this time is
the progress Of the greatest European revolution OF THIS
century The victories Of Napoleon preceding the peace
of Tlsit alone De compared with the successful ee-
lery OF the short Prussan campaign OF 1865 Inc pO-
ltca system which Napoleon lntIouuSod naH no P
IN the nature OF things and wasted away ana utterly S
not merely because II was carried out In Germany 10y
worthless persons but because IL T az Wat te 81
active forces of vigorous nationality ana the freedom
brave aud intelligent people the present union Oh
German states Is the rpened fruit OF nineteen generations
Of continued suffering and struggles ana Is 90
in harmony with natural laws and so thoroughly the con
current act OF Government and people tnat CERTAIN
TO endure and Is received with me eoou Will .e Isea
the necessary acquescence OF every p0"ei III EuIVP
The result seems the more wonderful the more IL
Is considered united state having seHoU Uo
extending from Russia 10 Holland mercantile marine
Inferior only 10 that Of Great Britain and to
that OF tile United States; population OF thity mi,
lions OF whom than twO-thrds are Protestans ana
all are instructed TO read and write and all trained 70 e
OF arms, rises up IN the center OF Europe el III
culture courage, and prospective II not ,a SIM
ence 10 any government The continent Ihls Sate,
whose existence is inspired and guaranteed ny astIVVs
and ever increasing sentiment OF ancient ana hdll
ties OF oiense and defense and commerce with piln-
are of such a nature that the armies OF these
100000 are to be placed in time OF ,rr war
States OF North Germany and their represehtI
tives are 70 take their seats in the Joint Parliament when
II TO prescribe for all one common system 0I comneICa
taxation Controlling the military resources OF 40OQOO OF
awarike people. the German Union feels assured OF
stands toward the East in an attitude OF Independence
and related TO Austria that that Empire hl fegauS
its welfare must seek It's friendship. 49,. , NJ,
This wonderful result has special interest Tor America
because has sprung from the application u the pflhcl
United states. The Constitution OF North Germany cor
responds IN SO many things with ours mat ~ hust no
been formed after the closest study Of our system or he
same mperectOns Of government nave lea me Two cou
tries, each for itself 10 the discovery ana appcaon "a
similar political principles As with ms, there Is mere
central government. while the several states u IN mum
ber retain each for itself the powers anas
tIt. hs,ta tf bgf del cd
the whole extent 81 their territory is established as
by US, by universal nterczenship giving the rights
Of native born any citizen Of any one OF them IN any
,rsnt evtend AZ with ms TO NATURALIZATION commerce,
aud navigation weights and measures COIN copyrights
and patents, army, militia, navy pOst,Vmce. sumo
powers arc conferred directly about Niuvh ou Coi.
sututOn is less explicit The German Union bas the reg
uatOu ~ the telegraph, of banks and OF paper currency
the regulation OF railroads Ioi hI'aiy ,r
the interest Of general commerce should any Govern
prove refractory the General Government mas Hc
snnest nower ~ eosreoniustantly by the Commander
iuChief Of the Union time OF war after consultation
with the Council In time Of peace coercion can e4tcnd
even 10 tie sequesraon Of the land and OF It's local gov
And with IL. legislation carried on by Parliament Of
two Houses The Council the German Senate Is called,
h composed of a. members Each state names AT least
one councillor: otherwise. the distribution of numbers
follows the precedent Of the late German Diet 30 that
Prussia uomuatcs II. The appointment Is made respect
lively by the Executive Of the several states But u 10
be remembered that IN each there institutional
Government that the election OF councillors ~ raised
above the price ~ the Princes ~ the several states
The Hous, OF Representatives. or Imperial pct, as II
IL called T. composed of 2J7 members, distributed on the
rats of one TO every 100000 inhabitants, with further
ndrc and chosen 10y universal suffrage with the ballot
No advantage conceded 10 rank or privilege on wealth
and accordingly the Diet just elected lncudhg Dankes'
large manufacturers aud members Of the highest nobility,
men Of letters, mechanics and aborng men, Is very
good representation OF the whole country IN ls pcstnt
condition The members OF the repfetthlallHe Diet are
elected f,r three years Ihey can be as,ehpled OF pro
ued by tie Presdens OF Tue Unteu ea'es' pn. ny
cannot b Dissolved without the concurrence OF the other
Tach Iouse as with MS has the right 20 propose laws.
20 amend them, - reject them, OF To- concur IN thaGng
sg istSs. w tue ''l''''' ''O' ''r''',S -
% Prussia His powers are very n9ch IKE uVs' o ou
President only they Tor life, aud are hereditary ana
a great intensity Of executive authority s conceded from
the necessity Of guarding against rescss aiu susc @
uoighbnrs He Is CommanderinChie Of all land ana
naval forees he declares war; ana restores Rece e ne
directs International relations b9t tIeauos 'na. aIrot
legislation have validity until they receive the apFO
20 orces and has olso the power OF removals only the
terms i'm which The power ~ removal granted Imply
some regulations differ entirely from ours. No mem
ber OF tho Diet may, as such receive any pay or com
peusation whatever; but ceholdcrs are eligible as
icpreseu tatves and their nay may continue during the
session. There isuUthng ~ the North German Nonsiu-
tou which forbis the Houses from sitting separately
but the members of the Council may attend, ana 30
attend the meetings Of the Diet and though they cannot
vote with the Diet they take part IN ls deliberations
This h, led 20 an opinion that the COuuc u NOT sepal'
branch ~ tho legislature but tne opinion is 1n-
founded The Council has it, mcctlug~ It's own de
hbcratiou-, and ito time and place OF voting ana
has legislative attributes ~ surely as the American
nT6e session ~ the Parliament which hos inst TO
an end has been marked by industry, pubic spirit and
forbearaucc Wlthout wasting time In selfgratlatons,
or rhetoric, party fcuds the members have l ABOUT
tirty ttiugs ratified treaties " the greatest moment,
and considered and enacted twelve most important meas
ures " immediate necessity; and II a. worth observing
tLa The legislation of this Parliament for all North Ger
many il on the whole more liberal than that OF the sep
m1'b mo,, remains 10 be done before the United
y,Wrs sincerely Gro. BANCRoFT
Hon VA H. SEWARD Secretary Of state Nc' &c