, 1874-02-14

A telegram dated Copenhagen, January 6,
published in the Avis sometime ago, brought
the intelligence that the King had replied to
the address adopted by the Folketing with the
object of procuring a change of Ministry, the
substance Of which address, has also already
been given in this paper. The Danish papers
have since brought this answer in full, together
with several other documents connected with
the same question. Oar limited space prevents
our giving more than the leading points of
them.
His Majesty regrets that the result Of the
sessions is not proportionate to the time they
consume and the resources employed. But he
cannot, in the want of concurrence, in certain
respects, between the different branches of the
legislature, see any reason for the state of fer
ment now existing in the community. Such a
state requires a government which will firmly
guard the constitution, quietly promote 10 pro-
grassive development and have a just and equi-
table regard to the wants of all classes Of the
people. This has been the leading thought
of the Ministry in full agreement with His
Majesty. Therefore he had not accepted the
resignation of the Ministry, and he expresses
the hope that the patriotism of political parties
will ultimately conduce to that state of unity
which is necessary for the welfare of the
country.
Overt the whole situation, and particularly over
the relation of the Ministry to the King, much
light is thrown by two documents, the one q re-
presentation Of the Ministry to the King, on
rendering their resignation, and the other His
Majesty's answer in which he, in a manner most
h~attering to the Ministers, declines to accept
it.
In their most submissive representation, 'the
Minicfars " +hat tho Addraco OF +bo 1rtb
December is in all respects different from the
one of March. The latter had proceeded
exclusively from a party which had long been
in decided opposition to the Ministry it claim
ed the parliamentary system as constitutional,
and that the Ministry should always be in
accordance with the majority of the Lower
House, which is based on universal suffrage.
Therefore the Upper House, as an equally
privileged branch of the Legislature, had given
in its counter-address. In the Royal Answer
to this address it had also been declared, that
the address of the Lower House had proceeded
from a misinterpretation of the constitution,
and the Ministry had therefore considered it
their duty to comply with His Maiesty's re-
quest to remain and maintain the principles
of the constitution. But the address of
December had been brought in and supported
by some few members who had opposed the
doctrine of the first address and these doc
trines we're not found in it, although it was
clear that q change of Ministry was considered
a condition for obtaining better legislative re-
suits. The Ministers deny the truth of the
statement in the address, of the standstill in
legislation, and in so far as more has not been
done, it is to be attributed to the opposition on
the part of the majority. During all the time
the Ministry has been in power, they have not
in one single instance caused a bill to be mega
lived by the application of the Royal veto.
They have had the interest of all classes at
heart. But although thus o~bjecting to the
views which nave found an expression in the
address, they admit the significance of the
address under existing circumstances, and
advise His Majesty to form a new Cabinet
consisting of men who possess his confidence
and afford a guarantee that they WILL in the
main, follow the same policy but who will not be
retarded by the effects of the former conflicts.
The King, latter the most profound deli
berstion,' and after having taken the counsel