The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-17
No. 81.
The New Germany.
n the New Orleans Crescent.


Not the least important political event of the nine
teenth century, is the adoption by the North German
Parliament of the Constitution proposed by Count
Bismarck to that body. The form of government es-
tablished by that instrument is anomalous as to the
ideas which have hitherto prevailed concerning consti-
tuons and coufederaces; but it seems to be an ade-
quate and congruous expressions of the wants and re-
quirements of the moment Under the new arrange
ment Prussia is the head Of the confederation and its
sole representative among the powers of the world.
Prussia alone can declare war, make peace form ali-
ances, and receive and accredit ambassadors She
alone convene and adjourn the parliament. She
has control of all the land and naval forces of the
conederacy, the command being invested in the king,
under the title of federal commander in chief and lord
high admiral. Next 10 Prussia, rather the Prussian
government, comes federal council, composed of
iorty-three members apportioned among and chosen
by the several States composing the contederacy.
Members of this body will share with the Parliament
the control Of legislation and they have the privilege
OF appearing in that body and expressing the views
of the States which they represent The composition
OF the parliament is essentially popular. 1t is consti
tuted of representatives elected by the people on the
basis of what may be called universal suffrage-that
is to say, every over twenty-five years of age has
the right to vote Parliament, in conjunction with
the federal council enacts laws and these are have
general and paramount force supersedng those of the
several States. The legislative bodies have under
their jurisdiction Questions Of trade of indirect taxa
tion, tonnage duties, of ghtS, measures and coin
ana ol lteFHal cOnitnunicdtlon Ine proceedings
to be public, and quorum consists of majority
of the whole number. The federal council make
changes in the constitution by vote of two-thrds.
All males, except such serve in the navy,
quired perform seven years service in the regular
army and five in the militia. "A
This constitution has some extremely liberal fea-
ures and others which entirely at variance with the
general doctrines Of constitution mongers and govern
mental philosophers. 1t tpurports to be confederacv,
and, indeed, the sembance Of confederation
needed to gr&tiiy te still lurking, hakering for nde
pendence among the people of States which had al
ways possessed separate local governments. But the
confederation form signifies really nothing but the de-
pendence of a number of communities the central
power residing in Prussia. 1t is modern reproduc-
ton Of the Athenian empire in which, under the
style of the Confederacy of Delos large number of
Greek cities and Islands were governed by Athens, as
the imperial city, representing the joint interests Of
the whole. In that case, whilst Athens itself was
democracy, the allied cities possessed, absolutely no
voice in the conduct Of affairs In this case whilst
Prussia is monarchy and almost despotic mon
arcly, the conquered, absorbed communities are
invested with large share Of authority in the govern
ment The legislative body has no control over the
expenditures; but 1t is fair to presume that this was
reserved consideration for universal suffrage Il
is scarcely probable, however that such power can
long be retained in opposition to public opinion in
country i'll which public opinion can express itself
through the ballot box. On the other hand it is not
likely that the form of confederation will exist for any
length Of time in face of the power centralized
in the king We may, therefore, look for evolution
in two seemingly divergent directions under this new
constitution OF Bismarck's-towards imperialism in
Que direction and towards democracy in the other.