The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-03-16
The North German Parliament.

The Parliament which net in the White
Hall of the Berlin Schloss on the 9th Fc ru-
airy, was elected by manhood suffrage pure
ana simple 1t is the only nation al parlia-
ineht IN the world so elected. For t le voter,
7" was only required that he should be a citi-
zen o' one oil the States Of the Confederation,
-hse years of age, and blame ess in the
eyea VI me law. deputies were re ursd in
auui''oh 10 nave been Tor at LEASE three vears
citlzehs oil the state they were TO renresent-
Tle Transatlantic mails lrino h,u oooo.s
OF tne liash''iceht ceienonials which signal
led the meeting OF this remarkable ody. The
following description is taken from The nerlin
correspondence of the London Times.
Prior 10 the ceremony a solemn service ,vo,
held in the chapel OF the SchIoss. A mapnif.
icent octangular building in the Byzantine
style. filed with the members of the Royal
Family, the hdute nOblesse, and numerous ar
raw of Deputies IN uniforms and robes of state,
the chapel looked imposing on tine occasion.
Alter the Dom-chor had chanted the Tooth
Psalm, the Rev. DR.. Hoffman, one of the
Kings chaplains, preached a sermon ON Ro-
mans XIV. 5-6:-"Now the God OF patience
and consolation grant you to be like-minded
one toward another, accordingto Christ Jesus;
that ye may with one mind and one mouth
praise God, even the Father OF our Lord Jesus
Christ" The congregation then sang Lu-
theran chorale, imploring the blessing OF God
upon the deeds OF The faithful and shortly al
ter dispersed. Ev,n hall an hour before the
conclusion OF the service the White Hall was
beginning to fill with Catholic members. who
had attended divine service in st. Hedwig's
church, and the PrOtestants who, not caring
10 ilsten TO the admonitions Of the Chaplain
hoyal, had proceeded straiS Sht to the place of
assembly. The walls OF the time honored
apartments looked down upon a gathering
such as they had never witnessed before
There met men from the Russian frontier.
where winter lasts seven months with the more
fortunate sons OF the Rhine, whose climate has
little experience OF northern iigors.-
The Schleswiger, a genuine descendant Of
the Saxon, pre,erring to this day the homely
idiom of his race to the literary language OF
the common Fatherland, shook hands with
the Frank from CobOurg, whose ancestors,
under Charlemagne, had combated and con-
verted to Christianity the tribes of the Ger
man North. The Thuringian and Hessian
from the central parts OF the country, alter
long years OF separation, associated again
with the POmeranian from the Baltic and the
FrisIan from the North Sea. With tie ex-
ception OF two only, the various branches of
the German national family were all repre-
sented in the Hall, and, though the absence
of the missing ones was noticed and COM
mented upon with regret, the hop, of soon
comprehendins the Bavarians and Suabians
in tie eoodly company beat strong in many
loyal heart.
W ME the members were standing about
conversing, not so much upon the prospects
OF the Session, as in an ordinary Parliament,
but upon what it promised to the nation at
large, Prince Frederick William, the little son
OF the Crown Prince, entered with two gen
tlemen of his suite to take a view of tie hall
in all its state Ii things turn out as they
ought, he will have reason to remember the
day which inaugurated the future greatness
OF his race and himself The Prince had
hardly left when the King, having first con-
Quoted the Queer to the stall i'll close proxim-
ity TO the Throne, passed through the hall to
his apartments on the further side. he look
ed radiant with good health and spirits. deliv-
ing. as it would seem, fresh tenure OF life
from success. A little later, the Gen.
erals, Ministers, and other dig
nitaries made their appearance, ranging
themselves in the order prescribed Tor them.
The Prussian Ministers and delegates OF
Federal Governments appointed to take part
| in the debates OF the Parliament proceeded to
the lett OF the Throne; the Deputies l4sIsss a.;
wide senioiiolo -Fou,,i tire symooI oil hoyai
uiSnity, and the Crown Princess, PrinceSses,
| and maids oi honor in rustilnS silks entered
the stalls set apart for the Court. Her hoyal
| HighnesS wore dress the PrussiAn nation
al colors. A tribune was occupied by the am
bassadors with their ladies, the dipiomatists,
| and the foreign princes present. When every
thiag was ready Count bismark, in his white
| cavalry Uniform, repaired to the Royal
apartments to inform the King that the first
Parliament OF the North-German COnfedera-
| cy was awaiting his presence.
Then tho Royal train came into view, more
| solemn, numerous, and richly attired tnan
any that has ever graced similar display in
Prussia. Equerries opened the procession
Pages, chambermaids, and goldsticks-in-wait-
| ing, followed by the marecbaux and grand
maIechauX de la cOur in their garbS OF Office,
| heralded the Roy al part, strictly speaking. OF
| the ceremonial. The sword oi state, the same
which had witnessed the coronation OF the
| INST King OF Prussia the globe, the emblem
of universal rule, initiated from the preten-
t:ous in sigma OF the German Empire, and the
sceptre, richly adorned with gems, were borne
| by three Generals abreast. 10 them succeed
| ed the crown, carried on q cushion OF drdp
\ dor by Count Redern, the Chief Chamber
lain, and the Royal standard held lott by
| General Wransel, one OF the most aged and
renowned soldiers ofthe army. To the right
aud lett of the Royal insignia marched two Of
ficers OF the Garde du Corps, with swords
| drawn. Immediately after them appeared
fanlry, bearing his helmet in his hand. Be-
hind him the Crown Prince and Princes Of
| the blood, adjutants, and adju-
| tants-general, all in military costume
| The rear was brought up by the chamberlains
and masters OF ceremony attached to the
various princes. Prussian uniforms are sim
| pie, and the dark blue OF the cloth considera-
| bly, prevailed ever the glitter OF lace and sill
yer cord.
HIS Majesty, having been received with
three cheers. mounted the throne, and placed
himself in front oi the iron seat, forming the
re gal chair OF the kings of Prussia. While
t4e King was thus standing surveying the DIS
tinguished assembly the procession broke up
and distributed itself over the hail. With
the exception OF Prince Frederick Charles,
| who, as the member for Labian, stood among
the Deputies, the Princes, with the Crown
Prince on the steps Of the throne, ranged
themselves on the light of His Majesty. The
bearers of sword and banner stationed them
selves on the steps OF the thloue little be-
hind the KIM; while those to whom the
sceptre, the globe and crown had been en-
trusted, occupied the front portion OF the as
cen. A few moments more and the brilliant
| tbrong had settled down into calm attention,
| when the King, receiving a manuscript IRON
the hands OF the Prime Minister, with So
uorous voice, read the Speech from the
Throne. The passages relating to Prussian
succ ess IS, German unity, and the national
ties to be established between Northern and
southern Germany eliCited the applause ol
the assembly. The reading over, the kirg,
who hal during the deliEery OF the speech
covered his head, took off his helmet, and
amid renenred cheers lett the hall with his
train. Count lBismark, in the name of the
King of Prussia and his august allies, then
declared the Parlia,cent of the North Ger
man Confederacy opened.