New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-03
CT-RSE OR BLESSING?
coNsTI rUTlONALISM PROVES THE BANE
OF CONTINENTAL EUROPE-MANY OLD
WORLD NATIONS REWRITING
TO ABSOLUTISM.
TO ABSOLUTISM.

.riov 4 higher degree OF intellectual culture and
Z nossess a more elevated standard OF public IN
s.ructjon than any other nation OF the Od
( World-a remarkable speech has just been de-
,vered by the sovereign. denouncing constitu-
tional government as the curse Of modern
times" and as a downright calamity for the
countries that have been endowed herewith.
And what is perhaps still more surprising is The
tact that these utterances. which must sound ex-
travagant in the extreme to American ears. and
which must appear to people in the United
States in the light of the rawlings Of some
crowned mailman. have been hailed with APP
nroyal by the inhabitants of the country con-
cerned and are likewise being treated with
serious nsideraton elsewhere on the Continent
of Europe
The sovereign who has just given expression
to these views. that are characterized by a dis
unctly medieval favor. is the regent OF the
Grand-duchy of Mecklenburg Schwerin, the only
country with the exception OF Russia that is still
without constitution. For even Turkey has
one-on paper-its action. however. having been
suspended since the overthrow and tragic death
Of Grand Vzier Midhat Pacha. who secured its
concession from the Padishah, and subsequently
paid with his life the penalty Of having forced
the hand Of his sovereign in the matter.
Before going any further it may be as well TO
state that in spite Of Mecklenburg -Schwerin
being without a constitution it compares favor
ably with the other petty sovereignties OF the
German Empire. In fact. the average taxation
is considerably lower. and. above all the reign
Ing house is a source Of no expense whatsoever
to the people. the maintenance not only OF the
ruler but likewise Of the members Of his family
and Of his court, which is one OF the grandest
and most magnfcently appointed in Germany.
being betrayed by means Of the revenues Of vast
estates which had been in the possession Of the
dynasty for long centuries past. From these
same revenues the sovereign defrays a consider
able part OF the expenses in connection with
the Government administration. and the prin-
cipal imposts that the people are called upon 10
pay are those which are imperial rather man
grand -ducal. that is to say which have been in
stituted for the benefit OF the empire, and which
are equally applicable TO the people Of each OF
the sovereign States constituting the confeder-
alton known as the German Empire
There is old saying according to the terms
Of which the happiest nations are those which
have no history Mecklenburg Schwerin is we'll
nigh alone in Europe in being without history,
IN so far that little or nothing is ever heard
thereof by the outer world The national debt
Is small the people contenled, and not only
the horses and the cattle but likewise the inhabi-
tants. are noted throughout Europe for their
stature and strength There are no finer nor
more powerful carriage horses in the universe
than the equine Mecklenburgers. and in the
came way IL is difficult TO find anywhere men
and women Of such grand physique as the hu-
R.an MecklenburCers. This mention merely 10
show that the absence Of constitutional preroga-
tiyes and Of share in the government Of the
grand -duchy has not in any way impaired the
happiness the prosperity or the development OF
the people Of Mecklenburg, among whom there
are according to official sci ntiic statistics,
fewe. cases Of crime. Of degeneracy and paupcr-
Ism than in any other country in the Old World
SERIOUS DOUBTS ARISING.
The reason why the Rostock speech Of the Re
gent Of Mecklenburg- SchweriD is attracting so
much attention at the present moment on yondcr
side OF the Atlantic is because serious doubts
have arisen OF late as 10 whether the nations OF
Continental Europe are altogether fl ted by char
acter for self government The latter may be
said to have been in existence for about half
century, since the constitutions promised or CON
ceded at the close OF the Napoleonic war never
received any practical effect until the people OBJ
tain"d them by force or by menace during the
revolutionary and sanguinary year OF lS4S Yet
after half a century Of trial one finds some OF
the most enlightened and experienced OF states
men expressing doubts regarding the policy OF
parliamentary forms Of Government so far as
Continental Europe is concerned.
Greece brought 10 the very verge OF ma
tional ruin and extinction by the obedience or
her Danish born King TO the terms OF the con-