The Portland daily press., 1868-01-03
Bt.ncroff ON the North German Confeder
alton.

Bt.ncroG ON the North German Confeder-
alton.
f,he historian who represents the United
Stltes at Berlin is moved by his observations
upon the political condition of Prussia to per-
hsps greater warmth of expression than he
eya has INDUCED in when speak,. of the for
m 'tion OF our own government. In a recent
lie er to Mr.. Seward he speaks so confidently of
ttb greatness and security of the new confed-
erhtion that it is altogether probable that the
Sticretary of State will commence Immediate
negotiations for its purchase. Mr.. Bancroft
ssis:
he present union of German States is the
II ttened frult OF nineteen generations of con-
Il aued suffering and struggles, and is so COM
pit tely IN harmony with natural laws, and so
IL troughly the concurrent act of government
alrt people, that it is certain to endure. and is
received with the good will, the consent, or the
n'Eessary acqulesence of every power in Eu-
rtse. The result seems the more wonderful
IL p more it is considered A united State.
h;Gylng sea-eoaSt extending from Russia to
d vlland, mercantile marine superior to that
of any European Continental Power. inferior
to that only of Great Britain and to that of the
" ited States; a population of thirty millions,
OF whom more than two-thirds are Protestan ts
a all are instructed to read and write, and
aii trained to the culture, courage, and pros
p l,tve, If not immediate influence, to any gov
ei nment on the continent. The State whose
e.i stence is inspired and guaranteed by a
81 ong and evar-increasing sentiment of an
C MT and indivisible nationality is further
engthened by permanent treaties of offense
a ii defense, and commerce with principalities
il nabited by 100000 more, and the treaties
Z OF such nature that the armies of these
II 100000 are to be placed in time OF war under
lead of the President of the United States
O. North Germany, and their. representatives
to take their seats in the Joint Parliament
which is to prescribe for all one common sys-
| t. n OF commercial taxation. Controlling the
n Itary resources of 100000 of warlike
! p ople, the German Union feels assured of q
| p lceful neighbor in France; in its compact
| ,ergy it stands toward the East in an attitude
O. Independence, and is SO related to Austria
| t 1t that Empire, if it regards its own welfare
II lst seek its friendship.
| This wonderful result has special interest
| f America, because it has sprung from the
|. a piication of the principles which guided the
| trainers of the Constitution of our United
| s. ates. As with us, there is here a central
g vernment, while the several States, % in
amber, retain, each for itself, the powers over
| j ternal affairs that have not been delegated
D. Ie unity of the people for the whole extent
| their territory is established, as for us. by
a universal inter-citizenship, giving the rights
q native born to any citizen of any one of
! em i'll any other. The powers conferred on
| re general government extend, as with u.s. to
naturalization, commerce and navigation.
| eights and measures, coin, copyrights and
| latents, army, militia, navy, post-office Some
overs are conferred directly, about which
| lr Constitution is less explicit The German
mon has tn regulation of the telegraph, of
| INKS and OF paper currency, t. 9 regulation
railroads for military purposes and in the
Aterest of general commerce. Should any
overnment prove refractory, the general gov
Dment has the amplest power of coercion
lstantly by the Commander-in- Chief of the
MON in time of war, after consultation with
lie Council in time of peace. Coercion can
xtend even to the sequestration of the land
nd of its local government.
AS with us legislation is carried on by a
'arlament of two Houses. The Council, as
he German Senate is called, is composed of
| members. Each State names at least one
ouncillor; otherwise, the distribution of num-
ers follows the precedent of the late German
| bet, so that Prussia nominateS II. The an
oilt tment is made respectively by the execu-
| We OF the several states.
| The House of Representatives, or Imperial
)iet as it is called, is composed of 297 men,
ers, distributed on the ratio of one to every
00.OO0 inhabitants, with further representa-
| We to each state for fraction of 10000 or
lore, and are chosen b, universal suffraee
sith the ballot. No advantage is conceded to
ank or privilege or wealth, and accordingly
ae Diet just elected, including bankers large
manufacturers aud members of the highest
Nobility, men of letters, mechanics and labor
1g men, Is very good representation Of the
whole country in its present condition. The
MEMBERS OF the representative Diet are elected
| VI thlOo yodIs. L uey CdH ie dSSemDIea or pro-
ogued by the President of the United States
out they cannot be dissolved without the con-
currence of the other branch of the legisla-
| ture.
The Pres dent of the German United States
is the King of Prussia. His powers are very
much like those of our President, only they
are for life, and are hereditary; and great in
tensity of executive authority is conceded
from the necessity Of guarding against rest
less and susceptible Leighbors. He is Com
| -(t Of oil 10, o,,I
he declares war, nd restores peace; he directs
international relations; but treaties that effec
legislation have no validity until they receive
the appreciation of both branches O
the Legislature. He appoints to offices
ly the terms in which the power of remova
are granted imply that it is not to be exercised
capriciously.