The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-12-02

Federal Presidency, (Bundespr9Sidiunil
which is granted to the Crown of Prussia.
1t is by this characteristic feature that the
North German Constitution differs from
the Federa:ive Republics with which it
has so many points Of resemblance, and
has a similarity to an united Kingdom.
Not that the powers of the Presidency
are exorbitant: they are. perhaps, less ex-
tended than those Of the President of the
American Union, but it was inevitable that
they should be attributed to the hereditary
Sovereign of one of the States Of the
Confederation, who thus becomes the
suzerain Of all the other princes, reduced
to the condition of high vassal. 1t could
not be otherwise, if Federative State
was to be established, as Prussia insisted
upon having the predominancy. 1t was
for this reason that the Parliament of
Frankfort offered her the Imperial Crown.
The President, that is to say, the King
of Prussia, represents the Confederation
in its international relations : declares
war, makes peace, signs the treaties, con-
vokes the Diet. publishes the Federal laws,
and appoints special functionaries to see
that they are everywhere executed He
also selects the Federal Chancellor is
Commander of the army and navy; de-
termines the composition of the corps of
the army appoints the Commanders-in-
Chief,-those of the fortresses,- sand the
high officials of the mail and telegraphic
services.
The army, above all, has received a
strong organization. Every citizen of the
Confederation is obliged to serve as a sol
der, and can not put substitute in his
place. The duration of service is seven
years in the permanent army, of which
three are to be spent in the active service
and four in the reserve (LandCeh1). I'm
til 1871, the number of soldiers in time Of
peace is fixed at one per cent. of the pop
ulation, and the different States are bound
to pay to the Federal treasury 225 thalers
per head. After that time, the Federal
budget and the number of soldiers will be
fixed and determined by Federal legisla-
tion. The whole army wears the Prussian
uniform, and is subjected to all the Prus-
sian regulations The budget of receipts
is composed of the net products of the
custom-h houses; Of imposts on articles of
consumption, and mails; and of moneys
paid by each State in proportion to its
population, until some other Federal taxes
have been introduced. The Constitution
is, besides, open to modification, and can
be altered by ordinary legislation, if the
changes are ratified by two-thirds of the
members of the Federal Council. The
last article is very important one. 1t
refers to the relations between the North
ern Confederation and the Southern
States: "They will be regulated by
treaties that will be submitted to the Par
lament" The next paragraph reads as
follows: " The admission of the Southern
States, or of one of them, into the Con-
federation, can take place by Federal
decision on the proposal of the Federal
President"
This final stipulation is in opposition to
the general sense given to the 4th Article
of the Treaty of Prague,s but It is to be
remarked, as we shall hereafter see, that
this is not at all the Interpretation admit
ted in Germany.
The Importance given to the regulation
of material interests is one of the particu-
lar and distinctive features of the North
German Constitution, and is entirely
adapted to the spirit of the times. One
might be led to believe that be is reading
the statutes of an industrial company,
rather than the fundamental pact of po-
litical federation. Nothing is said of the
rights of man, but everything relating to
the consulates, custom-houses, telegraphs
and railways, is analysed to the minutest
detail. 1t is the customs union that has
prepared the political union, and the North
German Confederation has sprung out Of
the Zollverein. One would think, in see
ing Germany taking such lively interest
in material cares, that, tired of her long
and brilliant metaphysical speculations, she
descends to earth to win a high position
by devoting her energies to commerce and
industry. But she may feel at rest. for
the time spent in scientific pursuits has
been useful and beneficial
Will the new Constitution give to Ger
many the internal and external security
that she has been seeking with such fever
ish impatience? The defense of the ter
ritory has been provided for by placing
under the command of one individual all
the forces of the States, and by yielding
to the hard obligation of military service,
imposed upon everyone. The internal
and wars have become impos-
sible in the bosom of the Confederation
All the sovereigns have been disarmed,
and are, therefore, deprived of all power
for evil The nannle haze M rnnrn fear of