Wilmington journal., 1870-11-25
GERMAN POLITICS.


a1 The Political. Parties OF Germany.
(Dresden Correspondence Pail Mall Gazette.)
The expectation that the war would put
an end to political dissensions among the
Germans has only been very partially full
filed. It is true that the desire for Ger
man unity has become universal, but the
strife of parties and the unpopularity of
the Prussian Government are as great as
ever. Herein Dresden, for instance, the
question of the annexation of. Alsace and
Lorraine has given rise to O struggle be-
tween the Burgerthum, or middle class,
and the lower classes, which is very char
acteristic of the differences In political
feeling and aspirations, between these two
important sections of the population all
over Germany. The Burgerthum, which
belongs chiefly to the so-called National
Liberals party, not only warmly advocates
the proposed annexation, bat, in strange
contradiction to its liberal professions. uses
its Influences with the government to put
down all demonstrations in a contrary
sense. The laboring class, on the other
hand, which feels'the burdens of the war
more severely than the other classes, Is
anxious for peace, and shares the opinions
of DR.. Jacoby (who is very popular among
them) on the question of annexation
They have no opportunity, however, of
u1dh1UR lA6lI OR4ukOuo 1OE dll
meetings called for such purpose are
strictly forbidden by the authorities.
This conduct towards the French prison
ers, too, contrasts very favorably with that
of the Burger class. Gro Rds of them as
sep1ble daily before the barracks where the
prisoners are confined, and though the
military authorities have proclaimed that
they would not permit any gifts to be
made to the French, cigars, wine and
other luxuries are often surreptitiousIy in
troduced into the prison by the working
men. This has excited great indignation
among the Burgers, who denounce the
workmen in the press as traitors to their
country, and urge the authorities to be
more vigilant In preventing such unseemly
courtesies to the enemies of Germany.
The grea majority of the German work
ingmen belong to the Democratic Social
ist' party. This party is much more prac-
tical in it's objects and organization than
that of the Communists OF 1848 it is in
constant communication with the trade
societies ell over the country, and has its
representatives in all the German parlia-
ments. It's former leaders, who signed the
famous Brunswick manifesto, calling upon
the workmen of Germany to protest against
any territorial acquisitions from France
are now in prison in East Prussia
and the party is for the present
led by committee at Dresden, consisting
of Drs Walther, Knieling and Kohler. -
DR.. jacob, who was arrested for a similar
demonstration, is only one of many mem
bers of this party who have thus had tc
suffer for expressing opinions opposed tt
those of the Prussian government on the
above question. Several Democratic So
cialists have since been imprisoned or
similar grounds at Mayence, in Hanover
at Gotha, at Celle, in Hamburg, at Often
bach, and at Meerane In Saxony. In the
latter place, and at Hejdhausen, in Ba
Yaria, enthusiastic meetings have beer
p held by members of the same party, ii
favor of the French republic and agains
the Humiliation of the French nation fol
the advantage of the ruling caste in Ger
many"
Between the Dem ocratic Socialists and
the National Liberals is the Fortschrit
party or party of progress. which has los
much of it's influence since 1866, but still
numbers among it ranks some able anC
popular men, such as Virchow and Schutze
Delitsch. This party demands Confed
frage, for the whole of Germany, will
7 power to grant supplies; make laws, decid'
on questions of peace and war, anC
participate in the conclusion OF in
ternational treaties. The Federal Minister
are, according to the Fortschritt pro
gramme, to be responsible to this Parlla-
ment. All special institutions of the small
German States which are incompatible
with the prosperity and security of th
country generally are to be abolished, tho
each State will be represented in the Fed
eral Council, and will have its own respon
sible Ministry and Legislature, elected b.
universal suffrage. The judges are to b.
independent of the government, and al
officials. especially those belonging to tn
police, are to be liable to trial in the ordi
nary tribunals. Education is to be gratui
tous, the schools to be entirely removed
from ecclesiastical control, and civil mar
| riage to be introduced in the whole o
; Germany. Political and press offences ar
} to be tried by jury, and the period of mill
{ tary service is to be diminished. This pro
gramme is, of course, much too liberal fo
the Prussian Government, and it has no
the smallest chance of being adopted. Blu
it will make good cry for the Fortschriti
men at the next elections, and will certain
t ly raise up eerious difficulties for the Ma
3 tional Liberals. whose only policy is nov
] to support the government at Berlin i
t bringing about a union between the Ger
a man Governments based far more on dJ
nastic than on popular considerations.
3 Why Jewesses are Beautiful.
/. Chatteaubriand gives a fanciful br
= agreeable reason for the fact that JEWS
women are 80 much more handsomer tina
h the men of their nation. He says Jewesst