“Spenersche Zeitung,” of 1852, Feb. 4, No. 29.—The transactions in
reference to the formation of the second Chamber have repeatedly been
the subject of our communications. It is perhaps not equally well known,
that at this moment the attention of higher circles is also directed to
the formation of the Second Chamber. The present electoral law presents
the right of suffrage as one to be exercised or not at the option of the
voter, without a corresponding obligation on his part. A law compelling
men to vote would seem to be equally inexpedient and impracticable. But
by refraining from voting in any number, the voters repose the decision
of the question in the hands of an unknown minority, who, by exercising
their privilege, frequently bring about a state of things by which
representation is given, not to the political views of the constituency,
but to their very opposite. The principles had in view in fixing the
reconstruction of the First Chamber, have, by force of logical
inference, led to the proposals to alter the electoral law for the
Second Chamber in this manner, _that His Majesty, the King, shall
appoint in each district, long before the election, a government
candidate, who shall be the representative, unless the majority of the
voters should at the election record their preference for another_. The
specific arguments in support of such a plan will appear to-morrow in
connexion with its details.
148.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _February 12th, 1852_.
It may interest you, dear friend, to see collected on one sheet all the
efforts making by the Orleans dynasty to counteract the robbery. The
Duchess of Orleans sends the paper by the Princess of Prussia.
Are you acquainted with a candidate for theological honors, named
William S., of Dresden, disguised under the name of Wilfried von der
Neun, who torments me by sending aphorisms in manuscript?
Yours,
A. V. HT.
Be kind enough to return the enclosed at your early convenience.
149.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
BERLIN, _March 23d, 1852_.
One of the many inconveniences of old age is that of liability to
attempts at conversion. Do you care to deposit this curious,
good-natured letter among your psychological curiosities? (The man who
is entirely convinced of Bernadotte’s salvation, circuitously informs me
that Satan wields the baton of command in my heart, as in that of
Goethe, that of the pious Kant, and that of Wieland.) And our
parliament!! If necessary the cities must be expunged from the face of
the earth—such is the desire of our diplomatist at the Diet.
With heartfelt attachment,
Yours,