, 1874-05-09

aristocrats at Court. These latter gentlemen
Jumped at the idea Of r~eviving past teuds and
making the new Military Bill the cause OF a
serious quarrel, as they had managed to ito with
the old Que in 1862 The more completely
thew had been pushed into the background by
the Liberal policy adopted after 1866, the more
keenly they now relished the prospect of turn
ing the tables upon their adversaries and de-
feating Liberalism 10 its fayourito ha1ui-the
German Parliament. Enchanting visions float
ed before them. The Military Bill rejected,
they hoped the present Cabinet might be in
duced to resign, when Conservatives would be
appointed, aud a new and improved era set in.
Everything else would then foil W as a matter
OF course. Alter a little hesitation the new
Government would be driven to prccllim the
imp 'ssibllity Of listening to a Parliament DE-
term!ned to leave the country d,fence5ess and
an easy prey to the French. TIE Military
Bill would thus be enforced without Constitu
tional consent, the R.ichstqg suubbed, aul the
press coerced. Nor would the fruits Of the
new regime be gathered from the military
field alone. Liberalism once tjo:ted, Couser-
v,ti5m would reign supreme everywhere.
TIE new Cabinet would scorn to rely on popu.
lar sympathy, as does the p;1ifol B-marck. Il
would rule with a high hand and defy ANYBODY
to tread it under foot. Ia course of time
another Par lament would Be SUNNI md, the
strongest pressure being employed 10 produce
a CONSERVATIVES MAJ rity, who with the Ultra
montaneS might repeal the Liberal legislation
of the last few years. Peace would be made
with the Pope, a higher der ee of iadpp n
denoe accorded 10 the minor P,iaces, and uni
ty preserved in military matters at the ex-
pens of everything else.
I see you shake your head ;ncryQulous' at
this summary of tie Conservative programme.
How i, 1t possible, you viii ask, for men living
IN the atmosphere Of modern Germany to take
up with such w.d ideas ? Cta they overlook
the Danger to themselves and country in pur
suing SO eccentric a course ! Are they so blind
as not to see that advising this is to precipitate
a French attack, make the minor Sovereigns
obstreperous, and dep,ive the Central Power
Of popular support? DO they really count upon
Ulramontanl>ln keepjngu up Prn,sia's military
supremacy, though the priests might be wiling
enough 10 accept her aIllauc3 on behalf Of the
Pope ? Above all, are they so certain that The
Emperor, who, except in the actual command
cf the army aud the conduct Of diplomatic bust
ne S, has constitutionalIy 10 existence senarate
from the State Council, would be supported by
this body in the proposed coup dftat?
TO all these questions there is but one reply
extreme Conservatism is getting desperate
on the Continent, AS despair does not tend to
sharpen the sight, il is getting bind too. The
Papacy was affected with political shortsighted-
ness some year8. ago the Protestant Ultra
aristocrats Of Prussi. are asstilcd by the Ike
i]nfrmity now, 1t is a disord r apt to attack
special sections Of society at a period of sweep
ing reform. There is no accounting for it in
any other way. l must admit, though, that in
the present Instance the Pru>sin reactionisjS
have had a peculiar iuoitemeut to uge them
on. They thought themselves supported by an
august lady at Court. They knew the august
LAZY in question to be opposed to the EccIesi-
nstical Laws, and hey fancied she would not
allow this opportunity to pass without trying 10
further her own views. They must tave been
mistaken, as it is not likely that the vital re-
qairements Of Frus,ia's present position can
have been so completely misunderstood by any
august person. Yet tie illusion did its
work.
All then depended upon the personal re-
solve of the Emperor. When first acquainted
with the opinions of the House, His Majesty,
who had been led to believe in a speedy pass
ing of the Bill, was so startled by the oppo-
sltion as to ut err a few words in public UPON
the subject. The effect they had upon the
members seems to have shown that matters
wore a different look from what was thought.
Fho Emn.rnr accordiprlv oou,aJ tho Ill., -,