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

OUR EORELGN CORRESPONDENCE.
BERLIN. March 6, 1S67.-The Fourth Of
March, 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
the old German Empire, the events that led to
its decline and final dissolution, the half CEN
tury that has since elapsed, adverting tothe
leading features that were influential in mould
ing It's destiny, and by insensible degrees led to
the events that have resulted in the glorious
consummation now before the German peo-
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 fine de-
batter, in the usual sense of that word. His
speeches show little trace Of learning or literary
finish, but they possess 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 ali, even his ultra Liberal opponents
In his speech he referred to the address Of
the King at. the recent opening Of. the Parlia-
u,ent, ii which his Majesty had spoken Of all all
the difficulties that had been encountered be-
fore the approval Of the allies {the several stil
uominally Independent princes, dukes, grand
dukes and free cities of North Germany had
been. obtained; also to thefurther fact, stased
BY the King, that it is necessary that the Con- r.
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. He begged
them to waive, for the present at least, all
minor, differences and put their shoulders
to the great wheel Of State, and cooperate
heartily with the allies for the accomplishment
Of the one great desire of the people-the unity
of Germany. He promised them that just so
soon as there was reasonable degree of GER
tainty thatthis Constitution would be adopted,
and the North German Confederation could be
looked upon as fixed fact, the prayer of the
Southern States should be taken into conside-.
ratisoon, and the entire German people be once
more q political as well as ssnethnological unit
: These plain and simple words produced
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 carnestness of the Premier's man
ner, and from his reiterated depreciation of OBJ
jections from the opposition, even an Ignorant
auditor might have inferred chat BISMARCK was
uneasy in regard4to the fate of his plan and
thiain fai.t, lie the case:.#:: Your readers may
remembersthat there was strong opposition
in the Prussipn Chambers, before the late war;
to.the.g w nment of BISMARCK; that this OPP
position " embraced .. majority of the lower
house; and that the government on several
occasions during theGpast four or i've 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 by the
smoke and ashes Of battle, ore still shoulder
ing ready to burst into fame at the first possible
moment. This opposition of course receives
strong reinforcements from nearly every part
Of the neRly conquered territories, and not II
little also from the allied States. The latter
are jealous to preserve their independence;
and sharp and determined opposition is ex-
pected, especially against that part Of the cen-
stitution which only allows the Parliament to
vote the military appropriations once in ten
years illus 1udbeAAahy uAAnAAAAsAuiS 'AAo AAoho, -
Parliament should have upon the crown in
constitutional monarchy.
I think, however, the Premier will be sue
cessful He is strong earnest, wise and skill
full, while the members of the opposition are
not organized, and agree too little among them
selves to offer any prospect of being able to
cope with the 'embattled host led By so consunl-
mate general as BISMARCK. scarcely know
as yet to which side to give my sympathies.
My instinct is for German unity, and at the
same time for liberty. But these two appear
incompatible at least for o period; and between
the two think 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 gaze the members of Parliament
fine dinner on the day after the opening, and
the deputies were clearly Hattered 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
rltra-Radicals; men who year ago would not
have dared to have shown their noses at the
court of the Kings palace The Crown Prn-
cess. the eldest daughter of Queen VICTORIA,
wbo. nv the bye, speaks German as correctly