Year: 1868

The Progressive party, which had CON-


pretended all but thirty-fve of the mem


bers Of the Prussian Chamber, is now the


least important of all. Its name does not


explain the end sought, because it is de-


rived from situation that is entirely


changed. 1t represents the absolute op-


position, and comprises those who have


refused to vote the Federal Constitution,


some Republicans, and some who believe


that Mr.. Won Bismarck, the uni6cation be-


ing accomplished, will suppress all consti-


tutional guarantees, to establish in their


place a military despotism.


The Conservatives think that too dan


gerous concessions have been made to the


democratic party, which it will be difficult


to recall. They are, however in most


abnormal position-the King and Mr.. Won


Bismarck, their natural leaders, being the


authors of those institutions which they


condemn, and favoring the movement


which inspires them with apprehension.


The National-Liberals want to enjoy, at


the same time, Unity and Liberty, which


they hold as being inseparable, as the one


must finally lead to the other. They ac-


cept the Federal Constitution, not as be-
ing the best that can be conceived, but as
answering to present needs, and, as Mr..


Won Forckenbeck said to his electors,
"because it must lead to German Unity,
and because liberal legislation in social
economy will insure the material and intel
lectual prosperity of 30,0O0,000 of Ger
mans" This party supports the Govern
ment, is the most numerous, aud is daily
increasing. A fraction of the Progressives,
and a group of the Liberal Conservatives,
have recently Joined it.


A frank understanding exists between
the Parliament and the Federal Chancel-
lor, Mr.. Won Bismarck. because they feel
that they can not do without each others
assistance. The only point in which there
seems to be any difference is that concern
ing Southern Germany, which the Assem-
bly, is more readily disposed to receive
into the Confederation than the Minister;
but this is mere shade of opinion. On
all other matters the accord is perfect
The Government does not propose any
thing that is not voted at once by the
Assembly; and no amendment is presented
by the Assembly which is not accepted by
the Government. Business is transacted
with marvellous rapidity, and every day
one of those very useful commercial laws
announced by the King in his speech at
the opening of the Assembly, is sane
toned by Parliament. The explanation
of this mutual agreement of views and
opinions is very simple: they have the
same fears, the same ambition, and the
same desires. When ship is in the mid.
die of a narrow passage, and surrounded
by dangerous breakers, the crew are al
ways ready to obey the pilots orders.


But the great peril menacing the free
institutions resides in the infatuation of
military absolutism on the part of the
sovereign and nobility. The present
King of Prussia will probably never con-
sent to yield, in an important and essen
tial point, to the will of an Assembly, and
he will never understand that the majority
of Parliament can be stronger than royal
What he wants is what the
feudal party wants, that is, personal gov
ernment disguised under o constitutional
form. He accepts the idea of Parlia-
ment, but the parliamentary system is
odious to him. He allows Deputies to
stand at his side in one of his palace
salons, provided that they act as polite
guests, who do not permit themselves to
the magnanimous sovereign who
condescends to receive them, and to ask
for their opinion. He feels for his crown
a kind of religious awe. He fancies that
Prussia has grown under the especial pro-
lection of Providence, and that God has
great mission for her to accomplish. He

claims, in the secular order, the same priv
ileges that belong to the Pope in the spir-
itual sphere. However, it is difficult to
believe that the superstitious alteration of
absolute power can be long maintained
when we see the Kings themselves uproot-
ing everywhere the Oldest dynastic trees,
and scattering on the ground princely and
ducal crowns, like the dried leaves of
forest swept along by autumn winds Per-
sonal government will certainly cease to
exist, because it is not in accordance with
the economical conditions Of modern So
ciety. The agricultural nations of the
olden times could subsist even under the |
sway of absolute and bellicose sovereigns,
because the destructive evils of war were
limited to the countries where it was rag
ing, but the industrial nations of the pres
snt age want security as an essential con-
iition, because, without it, enterprises of
industry come to dead-stop. which leads
to the misery and poverty of the working |
classes. The idea that the caprice of one