The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-11-04
Germany since the War of 1850
rFrom la Rerus de. psux Mondss. ]

they formed one of the most distinct race;
of mankind. They all had the same phys
ical features fair compilations, blue eyes
and fair hair; they also had the same re
ligious belief, and the same traditions bu
after the great invasions, the conqueror:
were mixed with the conquered, and il
was only on the other side Of the Rhine
that they preserved their original charac
ter. Deprived of the good administration
and of the regular armies which enabled
Rome to subjugate the world, the Empire
of Charlemagne embraced too many peo
pie, and could not last long. 1t was only
in the reign of Louis the Germaine, that
Kingdom was established, corresp pond
ing somewhat to modern Germany. With
the first princes of the Saxon line, began
work of fusion and unifcation which
seemed destined to bring about the forma-
tion of nation, and Of truly German
State To obtain that result, it was only
necessary 20 overthrow the high vassals
and the Emperor would then be sure Of
the assistance of two powerful allies; the
clergy aud the knights, or noblemen Of
the lowest order. Henry the Falsner
understood this thoroughly, and trusting
to the well organized forces of his own
country, he caused his authority to be re-
spected everywhere repused and van
qushed the Slavons, Bohenians and Hun
garians. Order was established the pop
ulation rapidly increased industry and
commerce fourished new cities were built
and in the 10th century, Germany enjoyed
prosperity and organization, so far, un-
paralleled. But strange to say, while in
the rest of Europe the tendency to unity
made rapid progress, Germany stopped
short, and even seemed to retrace her
steps. Thus, in France, the Capetans es-
tablished their Kingdom by uniting, either
by conquest or marriage, the most different
races Bretons, Provencals, Gascons, and
Flemings. In Germany, the central power
dwindled away to mere shadow, majes-
tieally hovering over multitude of indie
pendent States. Whence does this con-
trast come? Have the German Emperors
had less genius, or less ambition, than the
French Kings? Not at ALL But if the
Emperors were not able to constitute only
one State out of single nation, while the
Kings of France consolidated different
nationalities into one State, it is to be
attributed to two reasons: first, that the
Imperial Crown was elective second, the
ever disappointed attempts at universal
empire,-a remembrance of the Roman
Empire, renewed by Charlemagne.
The Chief of State can be elective
without compromising the very exist.
ence of the country, when this is def
nitely constituted, and the attributes of
the executive power well defined. 1t is
for this reason that the Republics Of
Rome, Venice, and the United States
have lasted, while Poland has succumbed.
When authority is vested in the hands of
q Council, as in Switzerland, the change
can take place without commotion. When,
as in the United States, a President is to
be elected, there is an agitation felt in the
New World such as no European Power
would like to undergo, the people find this
one of the motives why they should try to
curtail his prerogatives. 1t can be seen
that to make an Emperor or a King
elective, is nothing short of leading the
State itself to ruin, or of preventing its
formation. In Germany, anarchy has not
allowed the growth of the State, because
the Emperors, in order to insure their
election, or that of their sons, have sane
toned the independence of the high vas
sails and Bishops, preparing thereby the
triumph of the Church and the breaking
up of the Empire.
The second cause of weakness-the
dream of universal monarehy-has sue
cessively melted the Saxon line, the Salic
line, the Hohenstauffens and the Haps-
burgs, to strain all their forces and energies
in order to gain possession of Italy, which
always slips in their hands. This struggle
has been fatal to all, and has even been
the-cause of the ruin of modern Austria.
They wanted to realize that pompous fc-
ton, the Holy Roman Empire, which, as
has been justly remarked, was never en-
titled TO either of these names, as it was
neither holy, nor Roman, nor even a real
Empire An universal Emperor, under an
universal Pope, was the ideal conception.
which, while precipitating Germany against
Italy, has hindered the improvement of
both. Solferino and Sadowa having cut
the gordian knot by which they were
bound to each other, to their common
misfortune, the two countries now seek a
Constitution adapted to their respective
wants.
While the Emperors, absorbed by the
interest of their external conquests, failed
to accomplish in their dominions the work
of unity, which the other Sovereigns pur-
snad With indnfa at;noI,lo ,nar-aro-opoo tho