Year: 1871

meats, when paid or charged quarterly.


In the meantime the sensation produ,ed BY


the Czechish demands have been very great in


deed not only upon the Constitutional party but
even in the Ministerial camp. That it should


cause indignation in the former was 70 be expect


ed, but it that the surprise not to say con


steruation among those on whose cooperation


the Ministry must reckon to carry out any plan


of concession which it may have, is scarcely less.


However ayerse the Conservatives and Cleriealy


as body may be to the Liberals and their policy,


none, or very few Of them. are prepared to sacri-


fee the uuity-nay, the exislence-Of the Aus


trian Empire to their aversion for the Liberals.


Indeed it has always been the special boast Of


these elements to have the real interests Of Aus


tria more at heart than any one else. Its there


fore rather too much to reckon on their blind
ness to expect them TO help to pass the Czeehish
demands even with considerable alterations in the
Reichsrath, and the organ Of Cardinal RauscheF,
the VogtJrstud, which might have been expect
ed to be most enchanted, expresses faithfaiy the
impression produced on the mass Of the Con5erv-
atives and Clericals. when in its remarks upon
the surprise it says that there are many honest
and enlightened patriots who see in the realiza-
ton Of this compromise with the Czechs the eud Of
Austria.


Not more enchanted seem the Poles. They
have soon become aware that this independent
position, if it was granted to the Czeehs, would
have some considerable inconveniences for them
selves, and these inconveniences touch just the
most sensitive point-the financial. The Czschs
claim the right to contribute only fixed sum for
common affairs, 50 that naturally all that the
Czechs would not take uron themselves would
fall so much the more heavily upon others, aud
especially upon those who, like Galacia. have
hitherto contributed little in comparison to 9th
ers. Besides, such favor TO the Czechs would
considerably interfere with the stipulations mado
with the Poles, according to which, the same sum
which is now spent for the administration Of ca
laca should be given over to the local govern
ment yearly to defray the expenses Of internal
administration.


All these symptoms Of opposition manifesting





itself, besides the desperate resistance Shich The
Constitutioualists prepare, may excite a we'll
founded hope that this strange concliation scheme
will never become the Law Of the country. The
only danger is lest the Constitutionalists unable
to control their just Indignation, should allow
themselves to be hurried into some inconsderate
step and thereby lose again the ground which
they have gained. The great point is to weigh
well every step, and to observe on their part all
constitutional forms strictly. The Government
has all along maintained that it will strictly ad-
here to the present Constitution, and even lis al
teration, if it were advisable should be effected
with an observance Of the Constitution, as at
present existing Until now it cannot be said
that there has been any gross violation of this
Constitution. Enormous as are the demands Of
The Czechs, they only the wishes Of tho
Bohemian Diet and it is the business Of the
to examine them and agree 10 or re-
ect them. Now, the Bohemian Diet is but
R1mp Det-all the Germans having left under
protest. Besides, it is quite certain thar this
Rump Diet will only send members to the Reichs-
ath under protest. Bat these are an things
which the Reichsrath itself has to judge, and uu-'
il in this latter some gross ilIogaity is commit
ed, it must pass as legal also. Now all the Diets
n which the Constitutionalists have the upper
aud have chosen only members whom they ex-
ect will not take part in any but illegal" Reichs-
ath and this is sufficient guarantee for those
)iets that when their representatives see the ma
ority of the Reichsrath doing something contra
, TO the Constitution will consider their mission
8 ended 1t does not however therefore follow
hat the Constitutionallsts, as seemed the inten-
ion in the first Indignation, ought to withdraw
-om the Reichsrath at once under protest Oa
be contrary, they ought to fight as long as fight
lg is possible. If they are out-voted they can
peak aud make their voices heard to renoancs
his would be tatamount to giving up a powerful
eapon they hold.