The “upper house,” on the 24th ultimo, agreed unanimously to the present
draft of the constitution. At 3 p. m. on the same day the Prussian
Landtag was closed. Chevalier Von der Heydt, minister of finance, read a
royal message from the King. I enclose herewith a copy of the speech in
German.
The constitution has been promulgated in all the states of the Bund. On
and after to-day it will come into force throughout the northern
states.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Illustrious, noble, and honorable gentlemen of
both houses of the Landtag:
His Majesty the King has devolved upon me the duty to close, in his
illustrious name, the sitting of both houses of the Landtag of the
kingdom.
The government of his Majesty acknowledges with lively thanks that
the House of Lords with unanimity, the House of Delegates with a
vastly preponderating majority, shared in assent to the constitution
of the North German Union.
In the readiness with which the two houses, by relinquishing a
portion of their ancient privileges, overcame antagonistic opinions,
the government of his Majesty respects a fresh proof of that German
good sense and patriotic self-sacrifice which are an inheritance of
the Prussian people, and on which Prussia’s appeal for Germany is
founded.
Through the consent of the Prussian agricultural representation to
the building up of the North German Union, every condition
preliminary to the establishment of the constitution is attained in
Prussia. The recognition of the constitutional union will, without
delay and at the same time, ensue in all the united states.
Therewith, the national development of Germany over new grounds is
prepared in bringing about the fruits all the energies of patriotism
must combine.
The Prussian people, however, should regard the newly constituted
Germany with the more satisfaction, because from her came that
shapeliness which in Prussia fosters, in every respect, community of
interest between prince and people.
While northern Germany could only form a narrow strip of associated
states, the national intercommunion, now secured to the extent of
the German territory, as well as the domestic habits of the German
people and the Zollverein, indicate the surest grounds for the
development of the German unity, at a future day, in harmony with
the conditions of the North German Union.
Thanks to the moderation and love of peace of all the powers, it has
so fallen out that the pacific development of the European relations
has been secured from disturbance; the friendliness and the
confidential intercourse between his Majesty the King and the more
powerful of the monarchs of neighboring states give lasting
assurances of the duration and sure pledge of a peace fraught with
blessings.
The wish and the endeavor of his Majesty’s government will ever be
directed to maintaining the importance and power of the recently
established state organizations, and the security of the blessings
of peace.
In the name of his Majesty the King, I declare that the sitting of
both houses of the Landtag are closed.
