Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-01-08
THE NEW GERMAN EMPIRE.

stitution, and the acceptance of the title |
and powers of Emperor of Germany by
King William, of Prussia, restores, in al
most its former territory, the old German
Empire Of Charlemagne Though the
territory is not as large, the power and
overshadowing influence of the new En-
pire is probably as great.
Before referring in detail to the present
organization under the new Constitution,
! it may prove of interest to our readers to
briefly review the stages through which
the numerous German States have reached
the present powerful confederation.
The Empire of Charlemagne, founded
III $780, was extinguished in 1906, by Napo-
leon the First, when the old German Con-
federation was established. This Confede-
ration embraced Austria, Saxony, Bavaria,
Prussia, Hanover, Baden, Wurtem-
burg, and all the minor German
States. 1t was continued until the men,
orable, but brief struggle of 1856, when it
| terminated. Austria, Bavaria, Baden,
Wurtemburg and the Southern part of
Hesse-D armstadt, became separate Gov
ernments, while Prussia, Hanover, and all
the other Duchies, Principalities and King
doms organized into the North German
Confederation, which, under the lead of
| Prussia, began, and is still so successfully
prosecuting the present war against France.
Before the war of 1866 Prussia consisted
| of nine provinces, viz: Eastern Prussia,
Western Prussia, the Grand Duchy of PO
sen, Silesia, Brandenburg, Pomerania,
| SaXOnPrussia, Wcstphalia and Rhenish
Prussia. In addition to these provinces
| there were embodied within the territory
of Prussia, but not owing allegiance to it,
Hanover and nine inferior States. After
| the war she Incorporated into her domin-
ions Hanover, Hesse-Cassel, Hesse-Ham-
burg, schleswig-Holstein, Lauenburg,
part of Hesse- Darmstadt and Hohenzollem,
the cradle of the Prussian royal house.
By the treaty of peace of 1866 between
Austria and Prussia, Saxony was left to
negotiate for herself the terms of q treaty
with Prussia-the result of which was that
she became part of the North German
Confederation, subject to the jurisdiction
of William, OF Prussia. Hanover and all
the other States, except those.before named,
became part of the Northern Confeiera-
ton, which ii was agreed should have q
confederate constitution, TO be adopted by
German Parliament, and that the troops
of the confederates should be under the
supreme command of King William.
This was the North German Confedera-
ton at the breaking out of the present war.
The union of the States OF Bavaria. Baden
and Luxembourg and part of Hesse-Darm-
stadt with this Confederation, into the
present German Empire was beyond ques-
ton fastened, and perhaps made more GER
tain by the action of Napoleon in begin
ming this war.
The new constitution of the German
Empire provides for a three-fold division
of the powers of government-the Crown,
the Princes and the Parliament
The Crown is in the person of King
William, of Prussia. The Princes, or I'M
perial Council, is composed of the twenty
five Princes of Germany. This division
corresponds somewhat TO the House of
Lords in England and to the Senate in our
Congress. The total vote of this Council
is IS. OF this number the Emperor,
(William) for Prussia, has l.; Bavaria, 6
SaXOny, 4 Wurtemburg, 4 Baden, 3;
Hesse, 5; and the other States in proper
ton. Of these IS votes, it will be noted
that Prussia has but IL less than one-third.
As this Council has the right to proclaim
wal, the Importance of the relative vote can
be appreciated.
The Parliament,or Reichstag, is decided
ly Republican in its character. 1t is eom-
posed of $50 members, elected by ballot
suffrage universal-one mem Der to every
one hundred thousand population. In this
House, owing TO its large preponderance
in population, Prussia has o40 members, or
nearly two-thirds Of the whole vote. It's
preponderance here is recompense for its
want of power in the other House.
This is the organization of the new en-
pirc, which is beyond doubt to exercise an
important influence in Europe. The sub
ject is of sufficient interest to deserve no
tice hereafter.
TJIE men who are jealous in favor of free
schools are not to be discouraged by ridi-
Guile OF abuse. They have faith in the good
sense of the people of this community, and
are satisfied that i'm the end the calISe will