speech which relates to the different branches of the
German question:
"A full account of the use made of the credit of
18,000,000 thalers, voted for military purposes, will be
laid before you.
"The dangers by which you were induced to grant
that credit have not yet been removed. My pacific
relations to the great Powers of Europe have not indeed
been interrupted; but, unhappily, it has not been
possible to carry into effect my intention to create for the
German States a Constitution equal to their necessities.
I cling to the idea which was the foundation of my
efforts, in firm hope in the future; but I will only again
attempt its realisation on new grounds, when a decision
has been come to on the future organisation of the
German Bund.
"I hope that the negotiations on this subject will
soon lead to a successful result.
"The peace with Denmark is concluded and ratified;
but it has not been possible as yet to carry it in all points
into effect.
"In a neighbouring German State disputes of the
most irreconcileable character have taken place. An
attempt to interfere, made from one side only, threatened
to violate the rights of Prussia, and has led to
misunderstandings in which we are directly involved. Our
representations, founded on the conditions of our
geographical and military position, did not meet with proper
attention on the part of the Sovereign of the State and
his allies. Besides this, concentrations of troops were
made close on our frontiers, in places distant from the
scene of those embarrassments, by which the security of
the monarchy was menaced. Then I could no longer
defer what had been long postponed. I have called out
the whole warlike power of the land, and I see with
pride and joy that all my people capable of bearing arms
have risen like one man, and joined themselves to my
brave and faithful army.
"In a short time we shall stand more strongly armed
than at any period of old or modern time. We do not
seek war; we wish to lessen no one's rights, or force our
proposals on any one; but we require an organisation of
collective Germany, consistent with our present position
in Germany and in Europe, and commensurate with the
sum of the rights that God has placed in our hands. We
have a good right; that we will defend, and we will
remain in powerful preparation, under our weapons, till
we are certain it has obtained recognition.
"This we owe to Prussia and to Germany.
"I hope that our rising will be sufficient to assert our
right; if this is attained, it is without danger to the
peace of Europe, for my people are reasonable in the
same degree as they are strong.
"It is for you, gentlemen, to furnish me with the
means by which this end is to be secured. I lament the
sacrifices which on this account must be imposed on the
nation, but I know, gentlemen, that your zeal will not
be behind that of the whole people. You will furnish a
proof that our Constitution, to which I inviolably adhere,
hinders not, but on the contrary promotes strength of
action in Prussia.
"And as all party spirit has been merged in the
enthusiasm of the moment—as the people and the army feel
themselves united with me and each other—you too, the
representatives of this admirable people, will stand by
me, unanimous and firm, in the dangers of the present.
"Well then, let our watchwords be, union in fidelity,
confidence with God in one spirit—in the real old
Prussian spirit.
"God has often and largely helped us with it, and will
help is still further.—Such is my trust."
The latest accounts from Berlin state that the Emperor
of Russia has reiterated his demand for the
immediate intervention in Schleswig Holstein, and threatened
Prussia with his army if she opposes it. The Czar would
not object, however, to the pacification being
accomplished by Prussia.
The Austrians are reported to be in Saxony.
Letters from Munich state that the Hessian question
will be settled by mutual declarations.
The sending of provisions from Lower Hesse to the
neighbourhood of Fulda has been forbidden by the
commander of the Prussian troops.
The Queen of Spain in person opened Cortes on the
31st October. The royal speech was of unusual length.
It announced the happy resumption of diplomatic
relations with Great Britain in a manner worthy of both
nations; proudly referred to the brilliant results of its
intervention on behalf of the Pope, and to the expedition
of foreign pirates in Cuba, who had been obliged to fly
before the loyalty of the population and the resolution
of the forces; it referred to considerable reforms in the
administration of roads and institutions, in the conduct
of prison discipline, and in the removal of obstacles to
agricultural and commercial industry; and it promised
schemes for the definite settlement of the public debt,
and for the settlement of the fueros of the Basque
Provinces.
The accounts from Constantinople mention the
Destruction of the Flag-ship of the Turkish Admiral, with
the loss of 500 men. She was a beautiful ninety-gun
ship, and was moored in the harbour, near the Arsenal;
on either side of her lay a three-decker or a ninety-gun
ship. At half-past 9 on the 24th of October, without
any kind of warning, or anything having occurred to
excite suspicion, the powder in her magazine ignited, no
one knows how, and she blew up; nor were there more
than a dozen barrels of powder on board. The explosion
was just sufficient to separate her sides and lift her decks.
She opened forwards, broke in the middle, and sunk
bodily. It was all over in three minutes. Five hundred
men perished with her, including 16 officers; 163 men
have been saved, of whom 43 are badly wounded. Her
band was playing when the explosion took place.
A letter from Aleppo, of the 26th of October, gives
an account of a Dreadful Massacre of the Christian
population by the Moslems; a sudden outbreak, it
appears, of fanaticism. On the night of the 16th numerous
armed bands of Moslem people forcibly entered
the dwellings of the Christians inhabiting three-quarters
of the town called Sulibi and Fedida, plundering every
house of what it possessed; and, whenever the least
resistance was shown, wounding and murdering the
inmates. On the 17th the same scenes continued to be
perpetrated. The roads everywhere leading from the
above quarters were thronged with Christians, men,
women, and children all hurrying away in the terror
with which they were inspired by the burning of their
churches, the desecration of their homes, the spoliation
of their wealth, the destruction of their property, the
dishonour of their wives and maidens, and the ruthless
slaughter of their relatives. All these atrocities were
committed in broad daylight, and under the eyes of Turkish
soldiery; there were none to prevent these ruffians from
accomplishing their horrible designs on an inoffensive
people. Three handsome churches, worth upwards of
£25,000, were burnt; five churches have been plundered;
an invaluable library, containing ancient Syrian
manuscripts, destroyed: three priests and several other
Christians were killed; many, among whom is the
Syrian Bishop, a highly respected octogenarian, were
wounded, and some of them afterwards died. The
principal Christian quarters, such as Sulibi, Fedida,
Toomayat, Haret, II Un Kabobt, Tudrebee, Bowabet,
Butrosse, Bowabel Aset, Essa il Khul, were sacked.
The loss of property is estimated at nearly a million
sterling. In the space of 24 hours several hundred
families, comprising the most respectable native
Christians of Aleppo, and consisting altogether of about
7,000 individuals (Rayahs) have been rendered houseless.
On the morning of the 17th the Pasha hastily removed
to the military barracks, where, surrounded by the
troops, he remained an almost passive spectator of what
was going forward in the town beneath. General Bem
pledged his life to stop the persecution if he were allowed
a few pieces of artillery and 500 soldiers, but the Pasha
would not grant them, on the plea that they would
prove insufficient. He rather preferred to yield to popular
fanaticism than set Moslem to fight Moslem in
defence of the Christians. At the date of the account, ten
days had elapsed since the Christians fled from their
houses, and none had yet ventured to return to them.
The khans were full of the fugitives—680 in one, 2200
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