The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-04-02
THE TRIBUNE.
GERMANY.
GEN. SCHURZ ON THE KING or pp,rce,.
AND THE SITUATION IN GERMANY.

Ueh. carr SchurZ, who is on a visit +,
ms former home, writes his impression
about the King of Prussia and the parlia
nmeentary system of that country. The
following is his description of the King
Ihe nature of the constitutional sys
TEN fequiers, according to modern nations
the ofnclal existence of ministry and
the policy OF the government to depend
on parliamentary majority. The Prussian
government is still far from coming up to
these requirements The fact can be ac-
counted for in various ways. IF Prussia
pad king who would spend his time in
hunting and reading novels and allow
MS mlsterles to govern in his name, con-
stltutlonal government would very likely
be more developed. But old King Will
liam is conscientious man. His reign
dates from period when direct partici-
patton of the people in government af.
fairs was not thought of and when the
throne was the sole seat of power. AL
though the force of circumstances has
compelled him to tolerate encroachmepts
from the people, he has probably got rid
OF the idea that the business of governing
was properly his personal duty. The
Prussian Constitution, loose as it is
In regard to the limitation of royal power
has not been able to convince him of the
fact that the duty OF governing personally
Is very limited In constitutional state,
and thus he goes to work with much
earnestness. he reads every document
submitted to him and sometimes asks
his ministers for such as have not been
submitted to him. He is a hard worker
He resides in small mansion under the
Linden, and has his office in corner on
the ground floor. He can be seen every
day through the window busy with the
documents, and it is said he likes to have
people see him at work. He enjoys excel
lent health, and Notwithstanding his
seventy-one years, walks very straight
and with the elasticity of young man.
1t has been generally said and believed
that he was an extremely narrow minded
man, and his well-kn passion for mil
itary red -tapeism appeared to confirm
that opinion. But | have heard some of
the most strenuous opponents of the
king say that he has a very clear intellect.
and even certain degree of craftiness.
Schurz does not however, attribute the
fault Of the hitherto incomplete develop
ment of parliamentary government in
Prussia to the king, but to the people
also. 1t Is true, he reasons, that the
representatives Of the people at the time
of the celebrated conflict between the
government and the Chamber which pre-
coded the Austrian war, had insisted
upon their constitutional rights with en-
ergy and the electors in the country evil
IDENTITY appeared to assist the Chambers
with equal frmness. Thus, at least, can
the reelection of the Opposition, mai or
lty be interpreted. But when asked
what the result would have been if they
hnd =, l.
taxed, the men of the opposition are said
pie would have paid no attention to the
appeal of the Chamber, and paid the
taxes all the same Such a dangerous
experiment, would not on that account
have been very advisable From these
and other symptoms Schurz draws the
conclusion that the government would
have experienced no decisive defeat even
1t the conflict between the ministry and
the representatives of the people had not
been Interrupted aud partly removed by
war. According to Schurz's observations.
the authority of the Chamber is some
what weakened, In the eyes of the people,
by virtue of the extremely successful
policy of Bismarck. He says: The
government can quote in their favor i'm
portant and apparent results, while the
representatives. Of the people have only
the theoretical RICH on their side. The
government steps forward on the theatre
Of the world as an imposing power. the
Chamber gives its time to petty debates
about confederate laws 1t is natural
under these circumstances, for the Cham
Der, even if it had the most gifted mem
her. to pay u miserable role as compared
to the government controlled by Bismarck.
4 member of the Chamber. belonging to
the professional party, being asked by
Schurz whether the people took much
interest in parliamentary debates, ans
wered: I'VE are not much cared about.
The people, as a general thing, are well
pleased with the progress made toward
the uniGcatlen ef Germany and think it
docs not matter how the work Is accom-
plisbed. Sehurz says: 1.-The mass of
the people, 1t Is true, are DESTROYS of a
development in the Interior on lbaral
principles, but they do not wish parla-
mentary conflicts to anticipate, and thus
to thwart the final work of consolidation.
Dazzled by 4 successful policy, they look
with some indifference upon the proceed
lngs of the chamber. Bat for any extra
ordinary occurrences they would not,
therefore, proceed to extremes for sup
porting or extending parliamentary au-
thorlty any more than they would have
done a. the time of the conflict. Still
Schurz is by no means discouraged by
this state of affairs He says; ''The
German nation makes but slow progress
In that respect, but 1t makes no retrogade
movements. \ time when war is con
stantly anticipated is not favorable to
progress, but such state of affairs cannot
last long. Peace and internal improve
ment will do much to advance the cause
Another fact of importance is that the
want of constitutional government IS
felt by the people, and must establish
itself by the habit of seeing common in
ierests publically discussed. la that re-
spect even the appearance of possessing
it has some value for keeping thtt
habit alive. Although the Instance of
the Chamber uriore the war has had no
j.umediate success, it has, nevertheless,
been fruitful of Il good result The first
conflict has been so distasteful to the
government that they viii hardly expose
themselves to second one. Even the
king has not relished it. He used to call
that period the hard times and hard
times are not called forth Tor love OF
them.
. The Crown Prince is, according to
NclurZ statement, the OBJECT or great
hopes and these hopes are, in his epin-
ion, justified, the Prince having at least
not become gray underideas of absolutism.
like his father Of the greatest impor-
lance, however, is the certainty of the
Prussian people possessing one of the
principal conditions of constitutional gov
eminent in their general and rapidly
improving education. The result toward
progress will not fail to show ITSELF al
<hourb A., J,croc,t,on Of *he