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Leader (1850-1860), 9th October 1858, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1059, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      could previously prove that they had situations waiting for them . Something of the same kind is done with respect to Paris ; and yet M . Troplong said France was the country of unequalled civil liberty ! To complete the picture of the attitude and language held by official personages and official journals under the present power , I quote from a . description iu to-day s Moniteur , of the review at Chalons , under the orders of the Emperor : — " His Majesty , in tracing by turn each of those grand'traits of which is composed that complex and living figure that is called a manoeuvre , maintained that unalterable calm without which the efforts of even

      the most intelligent of men , called oh move masses , may turn to confusion and disorder . The ideas of the Emperor , communicated with a perfect clearness to the chiefs placed under his orders , were marvellously comprehended . . . The manoeuvre was intercepted for rest , during which the Emperor , as customary , remained constantly in the midst of the troops . The scenes which ¦ we recently recounted were reproduced with fresh enthusiasm . The soldiers were attracted by that august face , which allowed them to come near with a calm and smiling sweetness . They felt themselves , when near the Emperor , to be in another atmosphere , where they could move at ease . " The remainder of the article would be too heavy a tax upon the patience of the reader to give entire .

      Untitled Article

      GERMANY . { From our own Correspondent . } October 6 . The Prussian Court party—not party in the English sense of the worJ , but the aiders and abettors of the Queen—are beginning to evince signs of wavering , and are expected to succumb altogether in a very short time . The opinion of the outer would is too strong for them . The flying rumours as to the proclamation which instals the Prince of Prussia as Recent having been signed by the King have not proved true . It is now said by the Government papers , and well understood by the people , that the state of his Majesty ' s health is such as to render it unadvisable to subject him to the excitement that would undoubtedly be caused by such an act . The Berlin Review has repeatedly regretted that nothing authentic

      as to the alliances which she ought to form , more especially we -would recommend the Times and others to study Prussian affairs before they venture to pass their opinion upon them ; it is evident that the writers in the English journals are entirely ignorant of the facts connected with the Regency question . The Herald , for instance , after erroneously announcing that the proclamation ihst-ulliiig the Prince of Prussia as Regent had been signed by the King at Sans-Souci on the 24 th of September , speaks of the consequences attendant upon this concession on the part of his Majesty as if the King ' s abdication had been a subject of discussion in Prussia , desired bv the nation , and only defeated by the selfish-__ _ __ - _ . < m . » . __ .. _

      ness of courtiers . But every one who reads the journals knows very well that the idea of such an anti-monarchical step has never entered the brain of any man . The Herald , in conclusion , speaks in the usual silly manner of British journals , as if we Prussians could not breathe freely , for it is so ridiculous as to assert that the Prussians are grievously oppressed by the unlimited power of the police , &c . &c . The Times , too , " continues the Kreutz Zeitung , " contains an article from an occasional correspondent which , if it affected us alone , we should give to our readers in extenso ; they would see by it how little the great London journal really knows of the state of affairs here , respecting which it so off-handedlv decides . But the Times speaks

      of the members of the august Royal Family in such a manner , that independent of the Press laws , we must decline repeating its abusive language . Finally , the Daily News is depraved enough to hint that mercenary views are at the bottom of the present political agitation in Prussia . Such infamy ( Niedertracht ) needs but to be registered . " The Kritttz Zeitung takes very good care not to give a single extract from the Times or Daily Xkics . The flimsy casuistry of this notice is , of course , sufficiently evident . The notion of the Prussian journals discussing the prospect of the King ' s abdication is rather rich , when we all know that they dare not discuss his illness or his appearance , much less his abdication . It is very true , therefore , that no man who reads the papers would imagine that the idea of an abdication had ever entered any Prussian ' s head ; but any man who mixes with the people , and judges by what he hears , to

      would say , that instead of an . abdication according law , they would heartily rejoice at an abdication according , to nature . If the English journals are wrong in their description of Prussian affairs , why does not the Kreutz Zeitung give better information ? "What does the Kreutz Zeitung teach the people ? But the Kreutz Zeitung is well aware that more is taught by the Occasional Correspondent ' s two letters respecting the mainsprings of the Regency question than by all the journals of Europe put together . The former letter of this correspondent was so garbled in the extracts translated and served up to the German public by the German press as to leave the impression that it was an attack upon the Prince of Prussia ' s adherents instead of upon the Court party . The Kreutz Zeitung is well aware that if the facts given by the Occasional Correspondent is not known to be true , they are felt to be true , and it knows just as well that the author of that article is a man closelv connected

      with the Prince of Prussia , that lie is a German well versed in Prussian and English politics , that he does not represent the Liberal party in Prussia , but merely the Prince's party , who are for ever-present slavery and constitutional government " looming in the future , " like the good time coming , boys . " It knows that the author is quite correct in his views of the Court , and quite wrong in his opinions as to the people . The people did not " turn away from the vain lure of democratic phantoms , " but they trusted in the honour , the religion of their faithless" Prince , who , retaining tho command of an enormous standing army of soldiers and police when tho people laid aside their weapons

      with their enthusiasm , and returned to their usual occupations , laughed at thoir easy credulity , and defied thorn . The great Liberal pa , rty , cornprising the mass spenkiug tho German language , nre animated by a root-aodbriinch spirit , and they have their gaze fixed upon tho " Democratic phantom still . " That phantom holds a corporeal bun nor upon which nro inscribed the rallying cries of United Germany ; one chief—freedom of the proasone system of laws—ono coinage—no passports—no Aufenthaltd Kurtcn—no corporations—a regular Parliament—vote by ballot—and free trade . Ifl tho Prince of Prusaia , with his Hutlimann Holwegs , his Auerwalds , and Bunions , prepared to follow this banner ? No , not to follow it , but to smilo upon it .

      The following truths uttered by the Reform upon tho Danirih question will show the boldness with which tho journals arc beginning to speak : " Wo by no moans consider tho connexion of tho Uarmiui duchies , Sohleswig oiul llolstoin , with Denmark as a misfortune for tho inhabitants of those duehiea , and elik'fly becauso under present circumstances nothing could bo moro miserable than to bo interwoven with tho wretchedness of Germany politically ho oulled . Wo would ask thoao who hold a contrary opinion whether tliuy retain any recollection of tho piisl ? If they do they must know that tho present connexion butweeu Denmark and tho Duohlos U tho work of tho groat powers of Germany . Who ( liearmoil tlia Sohlonwig-IIolKtoln amiy P Who iriarchoU in troops to pacify tho country and , under tho

      The authorities of Mecklenburg-Strelitz have closed their frontiers against Uckermark and Pomerania on account of a dreadful pulmonary disease which has broken out in the village of Sarnow . Cattle of all kinds , either alive or slaughtered , are . strictly forbidden under a penalty of from five to fifty dollars . The Bavarian Diet has been dissolved after a session of six da vs . The journals make merry over it , and say , if English history can show its Long Parliament , Bavarian history can show its short one . The causes which led to the " dissolution are unknown . I mentioned in a former letter that some new clauses to the laws against the press would be introduced this session . Possibly the state of affairs in Prussia may have modified the opinions of the majority upon the prudence of enslaving t he press .

      ma , places ? The men who did this were the so-callec German brethren of the people of Schleswig and H . 61-stein . If anybody wants to know where German rights are encroached upon , we will tell him that in no country in the world are the rights of Germany so scandalously arid ruthlessly trampled under foot as in Germany itself . Exempla sunt odTosa , and we have no desire to be pounced upon by the police . Those who will not believe what we have said , let them read the first unconfiscated newspaper that comes by chance in their way . " In Austria the stamp-tax upon articles of commerce which has been repeatedly and for many years past petitioned against , has just been abolished by an imperial ukase . This stamp-tax upon goods was introduced in the year 1696 . and first applied only to leather , but It was shortly afterwards extended to all imported articles under the plea of moderating the injurious hankering of the people after the productions of foreign lands .

      is published respecting the health of the King . It is merely presumed from the statements sent forth in the official papers that his Majesty ' s stay at Lake Tegern Castle has not been productive of any improvement . The King is now , it appears , unable to take pedestrian exercise , and a wheel-chair has been made for him , in which he can likewise sleep . It is said that his Majesty is very obstinate , and demands the most patient care . Notwithstanding that all the world believes the King totally irresponsible for his slightest actions , the Ministerial organs persist in the pretence that he is in full possession of his faculties , and that there is nothing to hinder him from carrying on the Government but bodily weakness ; one of them informs its readers that it is presumed that the King will sign the proclamation of the Regency before his departure for Meran , that is . if his Majesty continues in his present debilitated state .

      I think the Regency question may be considered as decided . After the return of the Premier Minister from Warsaw , a" council was held , at which the opponents of the Constitutional Regency perceived clearly that their game was lost . Their savago efforts to silence the press resulted in calling the attontion of the world to them . The Prussian press itself , too , showed a singularly bold front , and there was a prospect ( hat a manly resistance would have been offered , for tho press was really unanimous , and seemed resolved to entice tho Government to its destruction by forcing tho confiscation of every journal in tho country . To perceive tho change in the situation of parties , it is but necessary to comparo the ¦ writings in tho journals that were published before ami

      after tho 30 th of September . Prior to this date , ovory article bore tho impress of doubt and timidity , but now they aro attacking the Kreutz Zeitung and its supporters with on audacity positively delightful to ovory lover of civil liberty . All insist that the time has arrived to carry out Art . 56 of the Constitution , and that the" \ nost wimple nnd desirable way to do this i « to procure the signature of tho King , which moans , of course , tho consent of tho Queen . The most convincing evidence of tho defeat of the Kreutz party is the fact that tho Ministerial organ , Zeity has adopted this view of tho question , for wo may eupposo that this paper would not have oppressed such if tho

      on opinion Queen had not boon induced to submit to tho Regency of tho Prince of Prusaia . A bitter pill for this haughty woman , for , as rumour goos , sho entertains an implacable hatred towards the Princess of Prussia , which is oven extended to her daughter-in-law ; such is tho report , but I should bo sorry to say I could confirm it . Tho Kroutz Zeitnm / is beginning to " sing small , " and only hopes now , 'that an the Prince must become absolute Rogont , tho King , wlH nt once take tho initiative and put an oriel to the agitation . This paper notices tho articles which lately nppeared in tho Times , Herald , and Daily News , upon Irusaia , thus i—" Prussia has no need ol'Britlsh aclvloo

      Untitled Article

      INDIA . RE At POSITION OF THE MUTINY . We extract the following important information from a private letter from an influential quarter : — ¦ " Madras , Aug . 25 , 1858 . " It is expected that the new India Bill will be received by the next mail . Of course we must prepare for carrying on affairs On the new system , and for conducting business in the name of her Majesty . I do not think that the change here will be very great , in fact , I consider it will only be nominal . I do not think that the change will be understood by the natives . Not one in a hundred will comprehend its meaning or its necessity . Upon the whole , I should say that affairs are brightening . The Gwalior rebels have been well thrashed and dispersed—they have lost all their guns and ammur liition . As far as the Oude mutiny is concerned the

      principal landholders are sending in their adhesion daily , and the area of the rebellion is certainly narrowing rapidlv . AVe expect soon to have quelled all our enemies , except a few mutinous Sepoys and their leaders . These , however , will be difficult to subdue completely . They will give our troops trouble enough all the next winter , or cold weather , and even longer , unless some enlightened plan is put into operation of discriminating between positive and compelled guilt , and some conditions of amnesty offered to those who have not shed European blood . It is generally believed now that Arrah will give us most trouble . The Commander-in-Chief at last seemingly thinks so , as he has ordered Brigadier Douglas to make an attack , and to expel them , no matter at what risk and cost . But this is easier said than done . I think Brigadier Douglas requires many more troops , and tho belief is that littlo will be done until the end of

      next month . Everybody feels the scandal of seeing ono of the finest of our Indian districts in the hands of the rebels , who have superseded our power , and have of themselves appointed a commission , judge , collector , and magistrate , and who havo the audacity % o offer rewards for thc ^ heads of European officers . "

      Untitled Article

      CHINA . STATK OF AFFAIRS AT CANTON . The following extract will be found of much interest . Curiosity-collectors who are looking to China for tho means of adding to thoir stores , may take a seasonable hint from tho writer ' s reply to an appli , cation from a friend to purchase a few Chinos c raritioa and send thorn homo . Further , the extract vlUch wo give ( tho letter was not intondod for publication ) throws a very strong light upon tho condition of affairs , and especially on tho value and estimation of certain official porsonagos , who 3 Q names arc for obvious reasons suppressed : — " Canton , August , 1858 , 41 Ab to QuriositicR , you made your friou . l and mysolf laugh at your notion " of tho oaso of getting fhom , I rofor you to Wardour-atroot . Why , I ' m thinking ovon . of having my tea from England . I haven ' t boon into a Chinoso shop throe tliuos niiico I linvo boon hero . Ono ' f > eta anything hero through one ' s servants . Its a groat tlonl too much trouble to do imytliliiff ono ifin t obliged to do , nud no ono , except tho . vory idle- and tho vary

      Untitled Article

      T H EI A R sk of friendshiptook possession of all the fortified . No , 446 , October 9 , 1858-1 . _ , g PJE . 105 & —~—— ¦ - ¦ " - ¦ -- .: : . ^ B ^^ M ^^^ M ^^^^^^^ —^ * ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ¦ . ! nl . _ £ _ & ! ¦ _ __ . 1 _ 1 _ !„ i > yv > vli- n * V « f * A 0 O 1 fWl f \ Y <• I I ^ . ilf > Tftt * i . l ' n ftfl

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 9, 1858, page 1059, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2263/page/11/