The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-04-09
OUR Observation-Disclosures.

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BERLIN, March 6, 18G7-The Fourth of
March, a day Of note in the American calendar,
bids fair to become such in the annals of Mod
ern Germany. The greatest Minister Of the
age, Count BISMARCK, rose day before yester-
day in the Parliament and presented the new
Constitution for discussion and ratification by
that body. He made long and effective
speech, passing in rapid review the history Of
she old German Empire, the events that led to
its decline and final dissolution, the half cen
tury that has since elapsed, adverting to the
leading features that were influential in mould
ing its destiny, and by insensible degrees led to
the events that have resulted in the glorious
consummation now before the German pco-
pie. He seemed much moved by the gran
deur Of his subject, and was throughout listen
\ ed to with the utmost attention and admiration.
Count BISMARCK is not an orator, nor q fine de-
bater,. in the usual sense of that word His
speeches show little trace oflearning or literary
finish, but they possess q charm greater than
meretricious ornament or any other Fictitious
attraction. His utterances commend them
selves by their earnestness. He strikes you as
strictly man Of business, slow and cautious in
maturing plan, but bold and fearless in its
advocacy once he is convinced of its necessity
or expediency. And for these reasons, and
because of his undoubted patriotism, he is re-
spected by all, even his ultra Liberal opponents
In his speech he referred to the address of
the King at the recent opening of the Parlia-
ment, in which his Majesty had spoken of all
the difficulties that had been encountered be-
fore the approval of the allies (the several still
nominally independent princes, dukes, grand
dukes and free cities of North Germany had
been obtained; also to the further fact, stated
by the King, that it is necessary that the Con
stitution must be ratified before the 18th day Of
next August, on. which day the agreement Of
the allies expires; the compact being provi-
sional and only binding them for one year
Count BISMARCK entreated the members to
bear in mind the great Importance Of their po-
sition, and the precarious conditions On which
depends the peace, welfare, and future pros
Perity, Of their common country. lie begged
them to waive, for the present at least, all
minor differences, and put their: shoulders
to.the .great .Wheels,of State, and cooperate
y heartily with the allies for the accomplishment
ofGermany. He promised them that just SO
soon as there was reasonable degree of Ger
tainty that this Constitution would be adopted,
and the North German Confederation could be
looked upon las d fixed fact, the prayer of the.
Southern States should be taken into considc-
ration, and the, entire German people be once
more political as well as an chronological unit
These plain and simple words produced a
visible impression upon nearly all present, and
it was resolved that the draft of the Constitu-
ton be printed, when the Reichstag would at
once proceed to its consideration &
From the earnestness Of the Premer's man
ner, and from his reiterated depreciation of OBJ
jectiens from the opposition, even IN ignorant
auditor might have inferred that BISMARCK was
uneasy in regard to the fate Of his plan and
this, in fact, is the csse. Your readers may
remember that there was a. strong opposition
in the Prussian Chambers, before the late war,
to the government Of B1sMARcK !; that this op-
position embraced majority of the lover
house r; and that the government on several
occasions during the past four or Eve years
turned these deputies out Of doors, and shut up
the Chambers, because Of their contumacy
The war and its brilliant results for Prussia
have immeasurably increased the power of
the crown, both physically and still more
morally. But the embers Of opposition, though
covered and almost hid from view bv the
smoke and ashes of battle, are still shoulder
ing, ready to burst into flame at the first possible
moment. This opposition Of course receives
strong reinforceinents from nearly every part
OF the newly conquered territories, and not u
little also from the allied States The latter
are Jealous to preserve their independence;
and q sharp and determined opposition is ex
Pected, especially against that part of the con
stitution which only allows the Parliament to
vote the military appropriations once in ten
years; thus materially diminishing the hold, a
Parliament should have upon the crown in a
constitutional monarchy.
think, however, the Premier will be sue
cessful. He is strong, earnest, wise and skill
ful, while the members Of the opposition are
not organized, and agree too little among them
selves to offer any prospect Of lheine able TO
cope with the embattled host led by so consum
mate general as BISMARCK. I scarcely know
ssys. to which side to give my sympatihiiss.
Ny instinct is for German unity, and at the
same time for liberty. But these two appear
\ incompatible M ct least for period; and between
the two 1think shall have to throw the moral
weight Of my influence into my friend Bis
MARcK's scale; especially as he is most likely
to carry the day, and you know it is always
pleasant to be on the winning side.
The King gave the members Of Parliament
hne dinner on the day after the opening, and
the deputies were clearly aattered by. this at
tention. The smiles Of royalty still exercise
potent charm, and even your. .staunch Republi-
can is not: altogether proof against these in
sinuating wiles. The Queen and Princes, we
are informed, conversed very freely with the
nltra-Radicals; Z. men who year ago would not
have dared to have shown their noses at the
court Of the Kings palace The Crown Prin-
cess, the, eldest daughter Of Queen V1crcR1A,
who, by the bye, speaks German as correctly
and fuently as though she had never lived be-
yond its boundaries, is reported to have laid