The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-20
A New Party in Germany.

The next few months are likely to be
marked by brisk political fermentation in
the German Empire as well as in the
United States. In the coming spring the
Glasses invested with the suffrage will be
called upon to vote for members OF new
Imperial parliament, aud it is probable that
an election for the Prussian Chamber of
Deputies will be ordered for October OF this
year. A significant feature OF the present
canvass is the appearance OF a new party
in which the National Liberals may ulti-
mately find formidable competitor.
The Prussian electoral system Is not no.
mogeneous, like that of France or the
United States but contemplates three
privileged categories, the great land
ed proprietors. the commercial classes of
towns and the artisan or laboring popula-
ton. The Legislatures chosen under these
conditions have developed on the one hand
a Conservative, an Ultramontane, and
Polish party, which, however, collectively
form but an insignificant minority; ana
on the other the so-called Socialist-Demo-
Gratis representing the working class ON
more than one occasion the latter would
have controlled the Chamber OF Deputies
had the recognition accorded to them been
proportioned TO their numerical strength
As II il. they constitute u considerable
though not always harmonious body.
Between these extreme factions the
National Liberals occupy what in the
French Assembly would be called the
Centre. and for ten years have held
majority Of the Prusslan lower house, as
well as of the Imperial Parlia u ent. 1t
was the stanch support of this party
which rendered possible the achieve
ments OF BISMARCK, who, on his part, con-
ceded to them decisive influence in the
shaping of commercial and financial policy.
They have continued TO vote with unan-
unity the remarkable laws against the
Catholic Church, and until very recently
have sanctioned without much question all
tho measures OF Capitalization dictated by
the Chancellor We can hardly escape the
inference, however, that BISMARCK now
means to discard his former instrument,
esteeming its capacity Of usefulness ex-
hausted, from the fact that his latest pro-
ject is directly aimed at the constituents
OF his obsequious followers This is bill
for municipal reorganization, which has
just been passed by the Prussian house Of
peers, but which the National Liberals
have vehemently refused n accept with
| out essential alterations.
The signs of rupture with the Chancellor
are coincident with a conspicuous loss OF
| prestige on the part ofthe National Liberal
party. The majority Of the Chamber OF
| Deputies IL charged with having pre-
oipitated, if not provoked, the fnnn-
| cial and industrial crisis under which Ger
many still labors. This source OF odum Is
supplemented in the country districts by
| intense, though most unreasonable, preJu-
| dices of race. 1t is fact that maj oritN
| OF the National Liberal Deputies, incluI
| ing the distinguished leaders, LAsKER auI
| BAMBERGER, are Jews; and it Is also e.
| that these gentlemen secured the pn's ,-c
Ia 1870 of the so-called Stock act by which
monetary aud manufacturing corr 2"9uons
| wero relieved from Governmeu rpIirol.
In the scandalous speculative cn "gpr.scs
| which followed, several prominent nem-
bers OF the party were implicated, while
the relations Of Prince BISMARCK aud his
coadjutor CAMPHAUsEN with certain lead
ing lsraelite tnancers have often called
forth severe structures In short, the Gov
eminent, with which the Parliamentary
majority is popularity identified, is accused
of systematically furthering the interests
OF trade and manufactures to tue neg cot
and detrment OF agriculture.
Under these circumstances new party
has arisen and is preparing to take an &C
tive part in the coming autumn and spring
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