The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-14
The Dissolution of the German Pariia-
mcnt.

public attention throughout Europe from
tho proceedings Of the Ponce Congress.
Once again fortune which plays 50 largo n
| part in the achievements of great men, has
pronounced for BISMARCK, ana 1t now looks
as II his scheme Of imperial consolidation
might, thanks to the scnsccss crime Of u
short-wittcd agitator. receive n prompt,
complete, and irrcvocablc ulilmcnt.
Hitherto there was ground enough for the
unruillcd scit-coniident liberation with which
German Liberals have watched the dis
closure OF BIsMARcK's purpose. The Chars
ccllor had done much for them, and II was
not apprehended that he could do much
| against them or without them. 1t was the
| lessOmof 1s4S, that united Germany was
the Indispensable step TO progressive and
free Germany. and the absoutst Minister
seemed to bc furthcring the ultimate tri-
umph Of the Republican propagandsts,
while he uprootel local prejudice and jeal-
ousy and planted In the German people the
mvigoratng sense Of nationality. No doubt
BISMARCK had II game of his own TO play
but all the cards were not in his hands.
Ample means Of coercion seemed assured to
the friends OF liberal institutions and VI
their essential safeguard, n dccentralizln4
| DOlltNs ny u SNNb'ii vi fspNtt NhiNh
lodged the power OF the purse in a legisla-
turc whose active and efficient branch re-
posed upon popular suffrage.
Until lately this confidence, Us we have
said. appeared 10 some extent well founded.
1t Is true that as measure after measure
was submitted TO the Reichstag the breadth
and astutcness OF BIsNAKcK's contralizing
plans were unfolded and he was seen to aim
at nothing less than the strangulatlon of
| local independence and the habit Of self
government by the absorption not only OF
| all civic but Of the more important cconom-
ical functions in the hands OF the sovereign.
Not a few, too. of these projects We're 80
skilfully adjusted TO existing exigencics
and deficiencies, and pushed with such II
dexteroue application of pressures and
seductions, that they We're able TO
| win more or less reluctant assent
| from the Legislature. Such, for instance,
| was the law, admirable In its immediate and
obvious results, which provided for tho con-
solidation OF the judiciary throughout Ger
many. But there came 4 time when the
patience of the National Liberals showed
signs of exhaustion. 1t proved impossible
to carry bills curtaiing the field OF private
|
| lutte monopoly OF the whole railway net
work. Nor was II found practicable to pass
in their proposed scope and rigor laws be-
slowing on the Kalsers Ministers power
of arbitrary Interference with the freedom
OF the press, the right OF ASSEMBLY
and the freedom Of elections. That
National Liberal party which has so
long kept majority in the Reichstag
has. of course. its faint Of pliancy and cor
ruption, but the vital elemsit which has
saved it from utter disintcgraton and con-
trai'-,i its -sti4n at dacisi'c li'orn.nis l. its
substantial loyalty TO those local and indi-
vdual liberties without which parliament
tary government Is cheat and a sham
Thus IL has come TO pass that the Chancel-
| lor and his old coadjulors in the popular as
sembly have for some time had cause 10 be
dissatisfied with one another, and the breach
might have been open and final but for the
manifest hopelessness Of any scheme which
should look for its fruition to a conservative
majority.
Up ton very recent date there was no pros
poet Of returning such IA preponderance of alb
solutist members TO the Rcichstng M would
insure a flexible, efficient instrument for the
| contamination OF the centlalizing process.
II BISMARCK had died three months ago, it
is at least questionable whether the impOs-
ing framework OF his creation would have
long survived him, and whether in respect Of
durable achievement he might have furnish
ed a parallel to RIcHELIEU or to CROMWELL.
At present the German empire IS somewhat
loose Of structure, and extremely def
cient as regards the means Of iinan-
al. al fIIns. ~
which but lately seemed incapable OF
cure, chance has opened a way to
remedy. We need not inquire into the
effect upon BISMARCK and his policy which
might have followed the accession OF the
Crown Prince. As things have actually
turned out-the well-ngh fatal shot of an
Assassin following close upon another at
tempt, and thus suggesting the existence OF
q conspiracy against the life OF n monarch
generally beloved there IS no doubt that
BISMARCK is incidentally stronger than he
has been at any time since the French III
demnity was paid. The German Chancellor
is not the man 10 miss the opportunity
1t il with no minor purpose OF repress-
ing Socialist agitation and ferrcting out
criminal designs that the Federal Council
has been asked to dissolve the present Par
lament, for to those ends its Liberal maj oI-
ity was swift to profer cooperation II tho
panic Of apprehension and sympathy which
tho act Of a crack Drained fanatic has kin
died throughout the German nation can bC
turned to political account, such "A Legisla
ture may DO now secured rs Will add the
requisite outworks and the browning stones
to BIsMARCK's edilicc. Then perhaps tn,
wretched folly Of assassination will be Elar
ing enough. when the wounds Of the kasol
have been turned IN the hands Of his shrcw,
Minister to the splendid and abiding proli
OF his crown and when the work OF central
ization has received Il completeness and 50
lidity not to be undone for generations.
The Feliciana Parishes.
our esteemed contemporary, the Common