The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-30
The German Empire.

iections to meet and difficulties to overcome,
but there is nothing in German counsels or
the position of the belligerents, at this time,
to thwart for long the accomplishment Of an
act which marks mighty change in the
course of European affairs.
The original German Empire was created
by Charlemagne toward the close OF the
eighth century, and from the beginning OF
the tenth to the abdication of Francis II,
early in the present century, the crown ex-
| listed in fact as well as in name. At Char
lemagne's death his dominions were divided
between his sons, and his grandsons dimin-
ished their power by other subdivisions.
Then came the period of great dukes, OIL
ways at war, and Of long war with Italy
to re-establish the Roman Empire. The
last half of the twelfth century-the period
of Barbarossa-was very brilliant, and has
long been to German fancy what the time of
Arthur is to England and that of Bobadil to
Spain-a period of poetic and romantic
glory.
After period of internal dssensions, Ru-
dolph of Hapsburg, .e-established the en-
pire and added to it. But the centrifugal
forces soon fegained mastery. The title of
Roman Emperor was asserted in the middle
of the fifteenth century, and an unsuccessful
effort was made to form national army by
the first Macmillan, early in the sixteen b.
Then came the Lutheran reformation and
the series OF continental wars recalled by the
name of Charles Y, who, however, sought
to incorporate Italy against French influence,
and the Netherlands and Spain with Ger
| many. France wrested much Of the region
lately the theatre of war from Germany OF
this time; all of that about Metz and Toul
and Verduu on the eastern frontier. Turkey
marched her armies in on the southeast, and
when the thirty years war closed in the mid
die of the seventeeth century Germany was
ia fact no more than body OF poorly weld
ed States. Ferdinand ceded Alsace to
France by the treaty of Westphalia in l64S,
at the close of war still recalled with lively
horror Then, though the style OF Emperor
was retained, it was but a mockery Of the
truth, and marks the path OF Austrian deca-
dence. Prussia sprang into sudden being
under William and Frederick, early in the
eighteenth century, and opposed the idea OF
a great Austrian-Germau empire, such as
had always been the dream of the people OF
every section, and when the second Francis
ceded the left bank OF the Rhine To France
by the treaty of Campo Formio, seventy
years since, he prepared the way for rapid
disintegration. The Germanic Empire for
mally ended in 1906, and the Rhenish Con-
federation succeeded it, Francis resigning
French domination followed, and was only
broken by the coalition OF 1872 and following
years. But Prussia grew so great under this,
that at its close the old empire was an i'm
possibility Then came an unsatisfactory
confederation in its place, with Diet that
was unpopular everywhere and always. The
Zollverein enfolded seme of the German as
piratons for nationality, but in 1880 liberal
institutions were borne in from France in
food, and served to balk rather than assist
fusion. A national convention was held
in 1S4S, and formed provisional national
government with the Archduke of Austria
for Regent But the Liberals in Parliament
excluded Austria the next year, and offered
the title OF German Emperor to the King OF
Prussia, who declined it. Then came the
revolution in Saxouy, Bavaria, Baden, War-
temburg and some other districts, which
was forcibly quelled by Prussia, who sought
to improve the opportunity and lead Ger
many The effort was defeated by Austria
in 1850, on the eve of battle, and the nation
al efforts that had been made, and in part
put in operation were all resolved 10 their
original nothingness. After that, more ami
cable relations existed under the treaty of
1854, until Austria proposed joining the
alliance against Russia, when Prussia inter-
fered at the head Of the Confederation and
defeated the scheme. Prussia also refused
to aid Austria in Italy unless the lead Of
German military operations was conceded to
her. and she thereby secured it. In 1859
Prussia came near leading tine Confederation
into war with France, but was defeated by
Austria, and rancorous feeling ensued. All
parties then hastened to reform the Federal
constitution, but nothing substantial was ac-
complished.
This summary sketch indicates what the
German Parliament will labor for the con-
stitulion Of homogeneous nationality that
has not been perfect for ten centuries, and
which necessitates vigorous digestion and
assimilation Of hard conditions. 1t is
somewhat curious coincidence that as the
weakness OF Germany became most complete
after the cession Of Alsace to France, follow
ing the peace Of Westphalia, the strength,
and perhaps the restoration of the Empire
should so accompany the recovery OF this