Year: 1869

Count Bismarck.


We publish this morning very interesting
letter from our correspondent at Berlin. giving
the substance of a recent conversation be-
tween him and Count Bismarck on the affairs
of Prussia and the North German Confedera-
ton. 1t will be seen from this renort that tho
oniightene~~ rrussian Premier finds the legis-
Iauye body with which he has to deal so diff
hcult to bring up to the comprehension Of the
new necessities of the age that his mind seems
to be fixed upon resignation of his position
In utter despair. The diverse political ele-
msnts OF the North German Confederation,
instead Of fusing upon certain broad and
general principles and measures of unity, and
what Kossuth would call solidarity, appear in
the general Councils Of the State as SO many
incoherent and disturbing factions. 1t will be
observed, however, that in the coming autumn
the Premier is resolved to have an end of this
discordant state of things or an end of his ad-
ministration as the representative of the King,
unwilling as his Majesty may be to part with
his strong and trusty right hand.


The great trouble in the Prussian Parliament
appears to be on the question of retrenchment.
Upon this the views of the Prime Minister are
very suggestive and 0minous. He says that
the general situation of the affairs of
the Continent is SO far menacing that
1--WE must be armed and on the alert.
for we profess no guarantees as to the
intentions of France and Austria;" that there
is difficulty between England and the United
States which remains matter of uncertainty;
that an alliance with Russia is not now to be
spoken of, and that it is only because Prussia
has been and is powerful and prepared for de-
fence that she has not been and will not be
blindly attacked. He does not fear Cabinet
war on the part of Prussia; but with France
momentary resolve may conjure up war.
Therefore Prussia must be constantly on the
qui yipe and ready tor action, and hence the
impossibility of reducing her military establish
ment.


This is the general embarrassment of the
States, great and small, of the European Cont
nent, from France to Turkey. Napoleon's
motto is that ''the empire is peace" 1t has
been so under his skilful direction to re-
markable extent, and yet it is constant men
ace of war. The crisis, too, appears to have
come when the internal discontents of France
may push him to the desperate expedient Of
graphing for the Rhine with Prussia. In any
event it is apparent that Count Bismarck thor
oughly comprehends the situation, and we
think that an attack from France, which he
appears desirous to avoid, would be to him a
great advantage in fusing not only the present
discordant materials of the North German Con-
federation into harmonious union, but also
the South German States.


In conclusion, we may be INDUCED in the
opinion that Count Bismarck, in his cour-
teous reception of our correspondent, has given
another proof of his sagacity as statesman
of the age we live in, in his recognition of the
far-reaching voice of the independent press of
the United States. Like the Emperor Of Rus
sia, he has wisely sought, in view of the possi-
BILE contingencies of the future, the lasting
friendship of the Great Republic. The conse-
quences are that this government and the
American people entertain degree of respect
for Prussia, the North German Confederation
and the people thereof and degree of con-
fidence in Count Bismarck which, peace or war
by either side with other parties, will be apt
to hold the United States and Prussia in
"happy accord"