The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-11-25

Symmetrical organization which made the
German legions invincible is not the worst
that could be devised for giving the people
the blessings Of civil liberty. The forms OF
a quasi-constitutional government are
maintained, but, when the private citizen
ceases to show the blind obedience which is
expected OF the soldier, the military instinct
crops out, and prompts the government to
use, for the repression OF unpalatable
opinions, the harsh discipline of the camp
and barrack. 1t is forgotten that ideas
canrot be made to fall into line at the word
of command and keep step to the whistling
OF an imperial leader.
Alarmed at the proportions assumed by
the tide of emigration to the United States,
the Emperor OF Germany has prohibited the
Prussian railways from transporting emf
grants at less than full fares, and youths
subject to conscription who may depart are
warned that they will be treated 'as out
claws for lfe." This threat avails moth
ing. The United States is well able to take
care OF the American citizen, whether ma
turalized or native. A difference OF a few
dollars in the cost Of the journey to the sea
will not daunt those whose faces are visit
fully turned towards the New World. They
are earning high wages, and the order that
they shall not go will only strengthen their
resolution to go at once. The reasons which
induce tens OF thousands OF Germans to emf
crate to America lie deeper than any con-
sideration of rates of passage. The Ger
mans are proud OF the laurels which they
and their brethren won. They love, with
an abiding love, the traditions and customs
OF Fatherland. But they wish to improve
their position, and they feel that they Can
do this most rapidly in country where they
will enjoy absolute freedom and be exempt
from compulsory military service in these
piping times Of peace. 1t would have been
wiser and more statesmanlke to remove the
cause OF emigration instead OF trying 10
arrest its course by the exercise OF despotic
authority. At present there is direct con-
flict OF interest between the government and
the people. The government are determin-
ed to be in readiness for gigantic war.
The people, although prompt to take up
arms for couutry's sake, covet The peaceful
prosperity OF civil pursuits, and are not
dazzled by tho ponp and circumstance ot Z
bloated military establishment. The vel.
fare OF the people is OF more moment than
the security Of dynaslies, and, therefore, an
army OF hardy Germans are eager to join
their thriving kith and kin on this side OF
the Atlantic.
For once the German Government have
blundered. They will soon learn that it is
q right OF the citizen to select his own CO.
reer, and to determine for himself where he
shall live and toll. This right is older and
higher than that in virtue OF which Kings
and Kaisers hold the throne. The Germans
caunot be whipped or kicked into changing
their determination. Their exodus will con.
tinue, in spite OF what the government may
be pleased to do. A thorough liberalization
oi the Imperial policys and scrupulous re-
,pect of personal liberty, might induce the
Germans to remain at home The only way
20 keep the Germans from going abroad Is
70 give them at home what lures them to the
West. Measures were already proposed for
giving the people o larger power in public
affairs, and this makes it the more extraor-
binary that the effort should be made to
stop emigration by an imperial decree. An
act 90 useless and 80 thoroughly Bourbonish
was not expected from government OF
which Bismarck Is the head.