The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-07-30
The Population and Past PoEiti-
cal Action Of Germany.

If all the Germans were united under
one head they would constitute nation
Of 50,000,000 strong, and be, beyond
doubt, the first power in Europe. They
are in the centre of that Continent.
Upon the east is the Slavonian Empire
of Russia, and on the west the turbulent
Gallo Frank element in France. Of
the latter there are nearly 40,000,00O,
and Iof the Russians more than 0,O00,OOO
But such is the superiority of the Ger
mans to the Russians in civilization,
that for the present they are the most
powerful. But it has been the misfor-
tune of the Germans never to be united.
At the present time, after great
deal has been done to effect that result,
there are still 100000 or 100000 Of
Germans under the control of Austria,
100000 in South Germany, in the
minor States of Bavaria, Wurtemberg,
Baden, etc, and 2O,0O0,0OO in the
North German Confederation.
Beforssthe late war between Austria
and Prussia, there were, we believe, nc
less than thirty mine independent Ger.
man States, the most of them small and
unimportant.
Austria used to be at the head of the
German Confederation, although three
quarters of her population were not
Germans. but Hupgarians, Croats, Poles
and Italians-a very medley of nation
alities. Her rulers were the Emperors
of Germany. But after the battle O.
Austerlitz in 1906, Napoleon formee
what he called the Confederation of the
Rhine and united it with France il
political action. It consisted Of Bava
ria, Saxony, Baden, Wurtemberg anc
other States. The Emperor of Germa
nv, who had hitherto exercised contro
over these, was compelled to abdicate
and assume the title of Emperor 0
Austria. s= sss.. ~ a .las
Since that time there has been nj
Emperor of Germany, but it has beer
Prussia's policy to accomplish that ent
by uniting every thing German unde
| the standards of Prussia. For lonl
time little could be accomplished, OWNS
10 the jealousy and opposition Of Aus
| tria. But in the war with that power
| in 1866, Prussia was so successful tha
she drove Austria out of the German
Confederation. At present three-ffth
| Of the Germans-but only three-ffths =
| are under the, direct and immediat
control of Prussia.
One of the great obstacles in the wa,
| of the union Of the Germans has beel
| that Of religion. North Germany i
| Protestant. South Germany adhere,
! to the Roman Catholic Church. Rel
| gion in the past has been stronger tha1
| the tie of a common nationality.
| Tn 1906. when France was in wa
with Austria, she had the assistance Q
| Bavaria. the principal South Germa1
/ State. In order to attach those State
| permanently to her interest, she raise
/ the Electors Of Bavaria and Wurtem
berg to the rank Of Rings. and great,
enlarged their territory.
4 After the disastrous day of Jena. il
1906, France obtained the aid of Sax
oily. Through these divisions tn
French influence was predominant i
: Germany. But in 1913 Austria an
Prussia, and all the minor Germa
| States united against the conqueror
10000 Saxon troops, who were wit
the French in the great battle Of LeiI
sic, deserted them in the height Of tn
conflict, and in body went over to th
allies. The Bavarian army, after th
French rout in that battle, intercepte
the progress Of the French troops j
their country while on their way hom
But this union was an exceptional even
Since then there has been nothing ths
looked like solid German combine
ton. sss@ sss.s s. .. -
Napoleon in the present troubl
takes especial pains to separate th
cause Of Prussia from that of German,
for, as against the latter, he would |
oyermatchsd His policy IS TO retail
Austria and South Germany nsutra
eiwhiIe be settles with the North De
man power Cincinnati Enquirer.
.Ds--------->---~~ *s
Tt Is an interesting sight to sse
young lady with both hands in so
| dough, and q MOSQUITO on the end