The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-14
CH Al L ES TON.
MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY IA, 1857.
. GERMANY IN 1886.

GERMANY IN 1886.
The year just past has been one Of the most
important for Europe in modern times. Great
events have transpired, and will lead to others
greater STILL perhaps. Kingdoms and States
have been overthrown, and others have risen,
upon the ruins of these, to greatness and i'm
portance not dreamed of twelve months since.
Although war between Austria and Prussia
may not have been altogether unthought ce at
that time, in consequence of the many Iiah-
culties that arose in the course Of the attempt
ed settlement Of the affairs relating to the two
conquered Elbe Duchies,-and although far
seeing statesmen, perhaps, may have seen a
settlement of the German question, a pos
sible consequence of such war,-yet it is hard
| ly to be thought that even Count B1sMARK
! himself could have expected to see the entire
situation of European politics changed by it
within such brief period; that Austria should
have been expelled at tho same time, both from
Germany and from Italy, and that Prussia
should be elevated to the pinnacle Of military
power in Europe
Certainly NAPOLEON anticipated no such re-
suit. He, in whose hand, it was said, lay war
| or peace for Europe, and without whose con-
sent not gun could be fred from the Bay of
Biscay to the Caspian, suddenly finds himself
degraded to the position Of second rate
monarch. It is generally reported, and not
without reason, we believe, that the quarrel
by the Emperor Of the French, who hoped, by
a successful arbitration, armed or diplomatic,
to regain heprestigc lost: y!the failure Of his
Mexican expedition. This intrigte, however,
was very unfortunate, for it at once reused
universal opposition in Germany to any pos
| sible French influence, and the threatened war
of Prussia, unpopular before, now had the
| good wishes of every German, irrespective of
| religious or political creed. NAPOLEON un-
consciously became the strongest ally of
Prussia ~
The war certainly proved Prussia the first
military power in Europe, but it likewise has
aroused the Jealousy of the other powers.
Russia is not pleased at this dangerous
aggrandizement of her Western neighbor ;
Austria is rapidly recruiting her strength ;
France is endeavoring to organize an army Of
,200, 900 men. This unprecedented army can
not be designed merely to anuse the Parisian
bellies by their brilliant manauvrcs in the
Champ de Wars There is but one explanation
to the labors of the Military Commission, Of
which His Majesty is Chairman, viz: read
justment Of the French boundary in the east.
Fierce combats are in store for Germany and
Prussia, before the great dream Of national
unity shall be realized. It is unfortunate,
tbG7ase It, tsis Feaefi6naTy act policy as regards IL
ternal affairs, and pursue anything but con
clllatory course towards the recently conquered
dependencies. The great glory reflected upon
the nation by the brilliant military achieve
ments has exercised q potent influence upon
| the most radical Of deputies even,-and this in
spite Of themselves. They have generally
yielded, therefore, in their controversies Of
late with the ministry; but this will not Ion 2
continue to be the case.
Prussia, however, is dependent upon the
entlro German people for successful and
satisfactory solution Of the problem Of national
unity, but this cooperation she cannot count
upon, as long rs she repels, by an anti-liberal
policy, the sympathy to be found everywhere.
even among the people in the South German
States different course might have been
expected from the known energy, wisdom and
prescience of B1sMARK; but the exciting event,
OF the past summer have proved too great
tax on his nervous system; and although he is
nominaly at the head Of the Government. he
appears no longer.t to have sufficient energy to
repress the augmenting influences of the Court
and Iankevthuna (ths feudal party)
Some there be who expect great and i'm
portant changes from the German Parlian,ent
but such is not our opinion. From the nature
Of its constitution, this body win be without
influence, as it'lacks the necessary authority
and power to have its DEGREES executed. The
only real purpose of this Parliament, tins far
apparent, seems to be to enable the King of
Prussia to obtain absolute control Of the r,;,;.
tary power ofNorth Germany This he has
already as one of the results of the war bnt
the DEGREES Of the Parliament, it lis thought
Will tend to reconcile the adverse populations.
and legalize what now seems an act Of nm
authorized tyranny.
Prussia is not alone engaged in increasing
her army; every other European power is
dong the same, and on scale heretofore m
paralleled. Austria win not cease to n1ot IN
order to recover what she has lost. France
ana Russia must ever remain powerful and
dangerous neighbors. Coalitions may, there +.
tore, reasonably be looked for at any time.
which would prove too strong for Prussia. not.
withstanding her splendid army. NApoLron is
the most dangerous Of all these. He has to
avenge moral defeat which has Injured bis
position both in France and in Europe. # d,
rule is,to continue, he must gain erea. VIC
tory, and this victory must be obtained on The
battlefield. French diplomacyis st work to
take advantage Of any false step on tbs part Of
Prussia; and the malcontent courts Of South
Germany furnish = point q appui. fS&Es.{ ,s.
The Staats zeitung closes long and interest
ing article on this subject with the follow;no
remark I: Although war has wrought p,reat
change in Europe during the past year, Prus-
sla has become aggrandized, and Italy enlare-
ed in her borders to the utmost extent almost.
o1 the national boundary, and this, to,
she was defeated both BY land and
y iseas-Austria e. has lost province, great !
ana : important, both from commercial and |
: s'r1aseg'c point Of view; and, by her exclusion
IRON 1ermany, she has been weakened both
lv . III