New-York tribune., 1873-03-01
AFFAIRS IN GERMANY.


present Constitution was, in fact, adopted at time
when the ecclesiastical influence predominant ana
was shaped In more than place expressly 10 IN
sure the independence of the Church. 1t was set up IN
nsaments to speak during period stretching from
1916 to 1850. King Frederic William w. was more
petistc prince than his brother the present EN-
peror and in granting unwilingy few political con-
cessions he was careful to build safe constitutional
wall around the Church The ordinance OF $780, as IL Is
commonly called clearly guarantees the independence
OF all religions both the Catholic, the Evangelical recog
nzed by the State 1t specially turns over the education
OF the clergy and the direction Of Church discipline 10
the undivided charge of e spiritual powers Two OF
the bills clear violations OF these clauses Inc
first which regulates the procedure In case OF persons
who pass from communion 10 another provokes very
little oppositon but the Others Of which one puts theo
logical instruction under the direction of the State ana
the other restrictions on the exercise Of eccesasca
discipline are equivalent to striking out the cOhSutu
tional provisions in question. Why the MINISTERS WHO
cannot be presumed to be less familiar with the Consu
ton than all Prussians chose TO adept tne COURSE
they did is problem but little less singular than that
of the Ministry itself in its present shape III they
wished the initiative for constitutional changes to come
from the House ITSELF they have been rewarded win an
early success The three bills were referred to COM
mitee Dr. Gneist, Professor at the Berlin University
and iurst equally learned In canon ana civil law was
named reporter After the Committee had deliberated
about week. Prof Gneist made report The bllls are
s hidden among the archives of the Committee, and
instead Of bringing them forth, the reporter, VINO Is
himself warmly IN favor of the reforms only announced
that the members were the opinion that the proposed
measures were contrary to the Constitution lie suB
gesed therefore that Mahomet should be made TO go 10
the mountain. A proposition was submitted which, II
adopted will so alter the Constitution that, instead OF
guaranteeing the independence of the Church absolutely
it viii guarantee 1t in subordinaOn to the laws OF the
State
Tere "a all the difference between black and white
The amendment ia clearly prospective well as retro
spectve and broad enough TO cover every law which
NAV hereafter be made. OF all the schemes submitted
to the Landtag this is by far the most sweeping ssser
ton OF the supremacy of the civil power AT the same
time ft gives new character to the ISSUE The great
struggle will be fought not over special bills aimed
at the ecclesiastical elements, but over constitutional
amendment which will clear the way Tor any ana all
bills The fate OF DR.. Gneists proposition Is therefore
subject for the most earnest speculation III the GOV
eminent adopts it, the Herrenhaus will be forced to give
way as it did before the Counties BILL But as vet 1t has
not the dignity and weight of ministerial measure
and there are grave doubts about tho policy OF Count
Won Room is we'll known, he was opposed to the last
"corrupton" OF the Upper House. Whether he will be
able 70 stand fresh batch OF peers for the purpose too
of cutting the ground wholly from under the article
known as "Church ndependence,"sis question which
his antecedeDs do not encourage one to answer In the
affirmative, The one pfeutcJlOO WHICH
safe to make is that the proposed amendments will lead
10 a more violent parliamentary struggle than any
measure of reform has lately provoked in Prussia.
In the meantime these bills are indefinitely post
poned | hear that their friends despair OF carrying
them through during the present session. The proposed
amendment the Constitution cannot be made III day.
and the Landtag sit very late in the Spring
good many members are also members Of the Reichsag,
and the obvious Inconvenience of having the two bodies
in session at the time great that the day OF
meeting for the latter has been made as late as possible
1t will be convoked eary-probaby the first week-in
March, Even by that date the Landtag will not have
finished it's work; but the presence Of the Reichstag
will give spur to It's impatience, and It may be dis
solved with full calendar 1t Is every way
probable that this will be the case. If the
present session sees the constitutional amendment
carried through great victory will have been won
and when the elections return, next FALL House more
liberal than the present one, the AntCeIcal bills can be
renroduced great many Liberals least are becoming
resigned to such course of The other inter
ested party the Church party is by no means satisfied
with the triumph of possible respte but is already In
the field with protests. petitions, and pamphlets.
Utramontanists and Protestants forward shoulder
10 shoulder The National Council OF the EVangclc'l
Church has Just sent to the Landtag long protest. In
which IL is not afraid to assert that 1t knew nothing
about the three bills till they we're laid on the Speaker
table, 1t puts forward specious argument against
than their specinc provisions, which the Prussian
doctors of divinity object The Catholic bishops In the
eastern provinces have also signed and forwarded O
protest.
The Ultramontanists In Germany do not grow modest
as the conflict increases. One bishop, Baron Feter Of
Mayence has Just published book In which he argues
that the Roman Catholic Church ought TO be encouraged
in order that the German Empire may be rendered
strong and durable The good Bishop evidently accepts
the theory that the late ministerial changes In Prussia
were due to the interference Of the Pope Such theory
is In circulation and finds believers But the humor OF
the Bishop of Mayence fades away before the marvellous
audacty Of some Utramontanist bishops in Posen The
hundredh anniversary of the birth Of Coperncus
falls on the 18th OF February next; and number Of
Roman Catholic Bishops in the Province OF Posen have
issued circular to the faithful suggesting
raye service in honor OF "the great Catholic scholar"
In spite OF Bismarck II Is impossible not TO aspect
capable Of such assurance. In view Of the length OF
time during which the Copernican theory was branded
heresy by the Church. and Of the number Of who
were thrown into prison for espousng It, the proposal
to honor author great Catholic philosopher opens
TO the imagination indefinite for action. expect
to hear next that the Roman Catholics OF Constance
have proposed public commemoration Of that great
| Catholic martyr, John HUss.
| Political movements III Bavaria attract notice now
and tben bat they generally attributed to the vaga-
of the young monarch. Louis Of Bavaria Is the King
Rene Of to-day. Full Of poetry andmusic the us mere
child In ali that political lfe and he vacaes
between respect for his subjects who are thorough
Germans and silly outbursrs Of spleen toward Prussia
After the German victories In France, he carried
away by enthusiasm for the Fatherand and he let
himself be persuaded by the Prussan party at his
TO propose the re6sablishment of the Empire, with
King William Emperor. Since that time he has tried.
every OCCASION TO show his for his rash pa
triotism. He sulklly refused to visit Berlin at the
time OF the meeting Of the Emperors little
later Ultramontane intrigue brought about
Cabinet crisis in his Government andathe fKng set up
what the Germans call "Particularist" Ministry,
which soon broke down. A few weeks ago 1.-THE Roman
question gave him fresh opportunity After the late