Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-09-29
"soRussIANIsM."

new lue3S koiA 6h
be found to give them shape and cur
rency. When, therefore, We meet
with a word not previously In use, we
nay be aware that a new idea has
found expression and such is the case
with the word "Borussianism," which
now figures extensively in French and
German journals. 1t Is derived from
the Latin word, Borussi, the name
siyen to a tribe Of fierce Pagans, who
formerly inhabited the territory now
called Brandenburg, and the south
shores Of the Baltic. They were the
ancestors of the modern Prussians, and
the word Borussianism -" accordingly
implies an idea relating to the latter.
What that idea Is, however, 1t Is not 80
easy to define, and those who most
frequently use 1t do not seem to attach
precisely the same meaning to 1t.
What Is In substance understood to be
it, object Is the definition Of the mis-
sion Of Prussia. The ambition and
aspirations Of the Prusians may be
seen therein developed. A German
writer, named Ketteler, the author OF
a treatise, called Germany after the
War Of 1885," speaks thus on the sub
ject: "By Professionalism we mean =
fixed idea on the vocation Of Prussia,
the obscure sentiment Of q universal
mission imposed on that country, con-
Joined with the conviction that this
task Is al absolute necessity, and that
It will accomplish itself from the same
necessity as that which impels the
mass detached from the rock to roll
down into the valley: consequently 1t
1. not permissible to oppose this mission
In the name either Of law or OF his
tory. Among the advocates Of Bor"'-
sianism this mission takes the lead OF
everything, and Is superior to all laws.
Whatever opposes it Is an injustice. 1t
accompllshes itself, from an Intrinsic
absolute necessity. As to the precise
object of this task, each n can deter
mine 1t according to his position. The
enthusiastic minister dreams Of the
predomlnance Of regal absolutism.
The soldier dreams Of the military sit
uation Of Prussia. The bureaucrat
dwells on the gloriication Of Prussian
bureaucracy the man Of progress, on
the victory Of his party through the
sword Of Prussia, on condition, how.
ever, that this sword shall not be
drawn except to realize his objects,
But all, however diverse may be their
opinions, end In the fixed idea Of a
vocation for Prussia which will infal-
libby accomplish itself, and which has
more right than any other vocation to
do So" 1t will DO observed that this
ardent advocate of Prussian supremacy
and royalty omits all mention Of, or
even alluSion to, the u%niticatlon OF
Germany under a Confederation OF
States and a republican form of Gov
eminent. With him 1t Is Prussia
nothing but Prussia-and her suprem-
acy, In virtue Of which she Is to expand
As she pleases, and every opposition to
which on the part Of other nations,
will be ian injustice" Here i
another explanation Of "Borussi'
anism" from the pen Of another
German writer, Droyson, author Of
"a History Of Prussian Policy, 1885,
He says: "The secular history Of
Prussia reveal, a continuity Of aggran'
dizement, a clearness Of views, and a
historical character which We meet
with only In the formation of States
endowed with the strongest vitality.
and which are advantages that find
their expression In the fortune and
skill Of distinguished sovereigns. That
which has founded this State Prussia
that which sustains it Is, If l may so
speak, a historical necessity. Prussia
comprises only portions Of the terri
tory and population Of Germany o
the nature and the duration Of this
State require that Its mission should
be applied to the mass Of which 1t is
continually incorporating portions
with Itself. 1t Is this vocation which
constitutes its Justification and Its
strength. 1t would necessarily cease
to exist II 1t should lose sight OF this
vocation" Upon this principle Prus,
sia will be justified In "incorporat,
ing" all the rest Of Germany, and
Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark and
Holland. Professor Hausser, Of Hell
delberg, openly avows this mission oil
Prussia, as regards Germany, and
says, lin his Prussian Annals, 1862.
LEGITIMACY. or let us rather say, the
necessity for a State like Prussia, arises
. out Of the situation Of things. The
Empire, In the irremediable anarchy
to which it was reduced, demanded, In
order that the nation might not sue
cumb, political transformations based
on the authority Of the sovereign"
From this It Is fair to infer that the
Professor advocates such %absoluteism
rs will suppress all republican ten
denotes. Of course such an idea Is
impracticable and absurd. but 1t Is
worth while to give u little attention
to the u~tterances of these emissaries Of
Bismarck, who have been thus trying
70 indoctrinate the German mind Will
the advantages Of "Borussianism," In
opposition, Of course, to "Panger'
manism." But 1t will be surprising,
indeed. II 20 enlightened, thoughtful
and freedom-loying a people as the
Germans will suffer themselves to be
used and proselyted In this way. The
result of the war may yet affect Ger
many in a way that will he less pleas
Ing to Bismarck than the German peo-
pie, whose republican States cannot be