The conflict of parties in Germany is growing very hot
indeed. The Hamburger Nachrichten is supposed to be the organ of Prince Bismarck, and is certainly an organ of the Conservatives ; and it advises in so many words that the Social Democratic party should be crushed by military force, like any other enemy, before it has time to grow stronger. Indeed, it goes farther, for it recommends strongly coercive civil measures, in order that the Social Democrats, driven to desperation, may by an insurrection justify a formal appeal to arms ! The party thus menaced returns fifty Members, includes more than a fourth of the electors of the Empire, and utterly repudiates violence until at least it possesses a majority, when violence will be needless. There is some- thing of the old spirit of religious persecution in German parties, of a desire to punish rather than conciliate hostile opinion, for which we seek an explanation in vain.
The Social Democrats cannot hinder legislation, or resist executive acts, or diminish the authority of the throne. Why are they to be killed any more than Armenians ?
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