The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-12
The King Supreme.

GERMANYs EMPEROR DECLARING HIS RIGHT
| TO DIRECT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRUSSIA.
| BERLIN, Jan. Am imperial rescript dated
January 4, countersigned by Prince Bismarck,
has been addressed to the Prussian Ministry.
1t says: 1.-The right of the King 10 direct the
government and policy of Prussia in accord
ance with his own judgment is restricted. not
abrogated, by the constitution. The official
acts of the King require the countersgnature
of Minister, and are carried out by his Min
listers but they remain the official acts of the
King in whose resolve they originate and who
in them gives constitutional expression to his
will Therefore 1t is not permissible to repre-
sent their exercise as proceeding from respon-
sble Ministers. The Prussian constitution is
the expression of the monarchical tradition of
this country, whose development rests on the
living relations of its kings to the people,
These relations cannot be transferred to MIN
listers. because they appertain to the person of
the King, and their maintenance is necessary
for Prussia.
1t is therefore my will that in Prussia, and
also in the legislative bodies of the Empire,
no doubt will be allowed to attach to my con-
stitutional right or that of my successors to
personally direct the policy of the government.
1t is the duty of my Ministers to support my
constitutional rights by protecting them from
doubt and obscurity, and | expect the same
from all officials who have taken the oath of
loyalty to me. ] ain far from wishing to re-
strict the freedom of elections, but the funct
ionares intrusted with the execution of my
official acts are bound to support the policy of
my government even at the elections. | shall
acknowledge the faithful discharge of this
duty, and shall expect all officials, remember
ing their oath of allegiance, to hold aloof,
even at the elections, from all agitation against
my government.
The morning papers cautiously discuss the
imperial rescript, which is regarded as fulfill
ing the threat of an impending cOntlictiOn
conveyed in recent articles in Berlin semi-Offi-
cial organs and In the Vienna political cores
pondence.
The T0sstssche Zedtung says: "a conflict can
now hardly be avoided May the nation sup
port its representatives in their efforts to pro-
tect our constitution"
The National Zeitung believes the rescript
was not called for bv the recent debates in the
Richstag, the object of which was only to pre-
vent the person of the Emperor from being
drawn into the discussion. 1t says there is
every reason to deprecate conflict. The Lib
erals would deplore such conflict, without,
however, being deferred from pursuing the
object which they have in view, as the present
state of things is not their fault The article
concludes 1.-THE fidelity of the Prussian peo-
pie to the constitution will again outline the
conflict, and the rest of Germany will not tall
to follow the example" 4
The Volks Zeituag considers the rescript the
forerunner OF a shortly impending crisis.
/ The Idgebldtt regrets theunpleasant position
created for officials by the rescript, which 1t
believes is destined to produce much sorrow
and trouble.
4 LONDON Jan "a dispatch othe Standard