Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Seward.
No. 4.]
Legation of the United States,
Berlin, September 10, 1867.
Sir: This day has been one of greatest interest
in the history of Germany, being marked by the organization of the first
imperial Diet assembled under the new constitution of North Germany. The
protestant members of the Parliament met in advance, for religious
service, in the King’s chapel. The King, the Crown prince and princess,
and other members of the royal family, the chiefs of
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the diplomatic corps, and the great
officers of the State and of the army were present, and were all seated
on the floor of the chapel. The glitter of official uniforms was as
great as I ever saw, there being but one person in plain clothes among
all those who were invited to attend. The services were appropriate, and
implied the assurance that the movement towards union, as yet
incomplete, has proceeded thus far with the favor of Providence,
The Catholic members of the Diet held their services apart.
After these exercises were over the Diet repaired to the White Hall,
remaining standing. The King, as he entered and took his seat, was
heartily cheered. The proceedings were in conformity to the usage of
constitutional governments. The president minister put into the King’s
hands the speech which he was to read, when the King rising from his
throne, put on his helmet, and read the speech in a clear and simple
manner, without emphasis or display, or any attempt at theatrical
effect. At the close of the speech, and as the King withdrew, he was
again warmly cheered.
I enclose an official copy of the speech. The points in it to which I
would especially direct your attention are the second paragraph, which
implies that there is a German nation including the South German
provinces, as well as the North; that the measures thus far taken for
the commercial union with the German states is but a “step,” though an
important one, and that the German “feeling” has been an instrument of
happy political activity. It also merits the remark that the
constitution is described as a work of peace, of which the advantages
are to be enjoyed in peace.
I remain, sir, yours, sincerely,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Translation.]
Illustrious, noble, and honored gentlemen of the
Reichstag of the North German Union :
From the resolution of the first Reichstag of the North German Union,
I could express the confidence that the popular representatives of
the single states of the Union would not withhold their
constitutional recognition of what had been done by the Reichstag in
common with the governments. It is a matter of great satisfaction to
me that I was not mistaken in my confidence. The constitution of the
North German Union has, in all the states of the Union, in a
constitutional manner gone into law. The council of the Union has
commenced action, and I am therefore enabled to-day, with joyous
confidence in my and my high confederates’ behalf, to greet the
first Reichstag assembled under the constitution of the Union.
For the regulation of the national relations of the Union to the
South German states, an important step was achieved immediately upon
the promulgation of the constitution of the Union. The German
sentiment of the united governments has created for the Zollverein a
new basis, adapted to the altered relations, and has secured its
continuance. The convention entered into for that purpose, which has
been approved by the council of the Union, will be laid before
you.
The estimate of expenses for the Union will form a prominent subject
for your consideration. A careful restriction of the expenses to the
necessary wants will make it possible to supply almost three-fourths
of the former from the independent receipts of the Union, and a
cautious estimate of these receipts will guarantee that the
contributions from the single states, provided for in the budget,
will be amply sufficient to cover the common expenses.
Outlines of laws have been and will be laid before the council of the
Union, having for object to make such regulations concerning the
different jurisdictions of the law-making power of the Union as the
moment requires and the time permits. A law on the right of free
emigration is to develop further the common citizenship established
by the constitution. A law on the obligation to military service is
to make this common citizenship effective to the army, and at the
same time to supersede the regulations which are provided in the
constitution in part independently and partly depending upon laws to
be prescribed by Prussia to govern the obligation of service. A law
concerning the passport system is intended to remove all obsolete
restraints on communication, and to establish a foundation for an
alliance suited to the national interest, between the Union and the
South German states.
The regulations in regard to measures and weights are to equalize the
system of weights
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and
measures of the Union, and to regulate it in a manner desirable for
the international commerce. The sovereign ownership of the postal
system, as an institution of the Union, renders legal provisions
regarding the post roads and postage necessary. The establishment of
consulates of the Union requires a legal determination of the rights
and duties connected with the functions of those officers. The unity
of the commercial marine will require a foundation by a law
concerning the nationality of merchantmen.
I trust that these laws, which are a primary but decided step toward
the accomplishment of the designs of the constitution of the Union,
will meet with your concurrence, and with that of the council of the
Union.
The conviction that the great problem of the Union can only he solved
by readiness on all sides to accommodate the special with the gene
al and national interest, actuated the deliberations which give
birth to the constitution of the Union. That conviction has again
found expression in the proceedings of the council of the Union, and
will, I confidently expect, form the basis of your counsels.
With that predetermination, honored sirs, proceed in the
accomplishment of the work begun by the constitution of the Union.
It is a work of peace to which you are called, and I trust that,
with the blessing of God, the fatherland may enjoy the fruits of
your labor in peace.
