liesfria.—The Prince Primate of Hungary has protested formally against the
conduct of the Emperor of Austria. This prelate, who is the second Catholic prelate in Europe, and was, until the Concordat, as supreme in Hungary as the Pope in Italy, was selected by the Viennese Government as a moderate politician, and was even distrusted by the Hungarians. He is, however, lord-lieutenant of the county of Gram and as such he has just made a speech to the County Committee in the most decidedly national sense. He declared, in the most solemn terms, that the old hereditary constitution could not give way while the nation did not "with sinful imprudence" destroy it, and that a reconciliation upon its basis was still possible. "That those hopes may not abandon me (be concluded), I need, after God, above all things, the sincere and hearty support of this honour- able assembly ; for it depends on the prudent bearing of the counties, and on the judicious course of the public deliberations, whether the Diet may again soon be called together, and that the discussions between the parties, which, in the mean time, may have been led by experience and reflection to a more yielding disposition, may be resumed with a happier result." -
The speech was ordered to be placed in the archives of the county, and has created great sensation at Vienna, where a great Catholic dignitary is considered beyond official rebuke. The sittings of the Pesth County Committee, however, have been suppressed, and the Gazelle announces that it is to be reorganized. Two other com- mittees are also to be immediately suspended. The Austrian Reiclismth has forwarded an address to the throne approving of the resolution not to debate the point of the unity of the empire, and the Emperor has made the following reply : "The Address of the Chamber of Deputies which I have just heard strengthens me in the gratifying conviction that that House has not only understood me, but also, itself true to the Constitution, has confidence in my benevolent intentions. The House fully agrees with my fundamental Vrinciples of the legal self-government of the kingdom and countries bound together in a natural unity, but has, on the other hand, with equal justice, comprehended that this self-government is bound up, as a condition of its possibility, with the conscientious fulfilment of the common duties towards the powerful whole. The appli- cation of this principle to those who may misconstrue or disre- gard the same is certainly a necessity, but I hope it will be con. fined within the narrowest possible limits, and that the result will make clear the overpowering might of its truth and justice. The devotedness with which the House is resolved to fulfil its duties, on the firm basis of the Constitution, under the reconciling influences of the fraternal sentiments by which it declares itself inspired, and the firmness and frankness with which this determination is expressed, suffice for the salvation of the fatherland, and do honour to its de- puted representatives. I thank the House for this manifestation of loyalty and patriotism, and continue to it my Imperial grace and favour." There is still, however, a great indisposition to push matters to extremities, and the Primate has visited Vienna in the hope of suggesting a compromise. This was the recognition of the Hun- garian Constitution as it existed previous to 1847, to which the Emperor, it is reported, has refused to accede. Instead, he pro- poses to call a Diet, taking the diploma of October last as the basis for further negotiation. It is not known whether the Diet will be summoned according to the ancient electoral law, but any attack upon this fundamental right would render its negotiations illegal and worthless.
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