stria, for it guaranteed to
her only the possession of her German possessions, and in
Schleswig-Holstein, Bavarian troops were in the service of Denmark, and
Prussian soldiers in that of the Duchies. Then, each State being
absolutely independent, could and did establish custom-houses, and levy
tolls and duties upon its own frontier, to the great disadvantage of
commerce. This at last became so intolerable, that a general
Customs-union (Zollverein) was formed, under the auspices of Prussia, by
which duties are levied only upon the common frontier, and the proceeds
distributed among the States, in the ratio of their population. The
Customs-union embraces more than four-fifths of Germany, with the
exception of Austria. A strong desire has always prevailed throughout
Germany for the construction of a united government, which should take
the place of the petty principalities into which the country is divided.
Thus alone can the German people, having a common origin, speaking a
common language, and possessing common interests, assume that rank in
the political world to which their numbers, position, and civilization
entitle them. But this desire on the part of the people, has of course,
been strenuously opposed by the princes, although circumstances have at
times induced the Prussian government to favor the movement, in the
expectation of becoming the leading power in the new State, or rather of
Prussianizing all Germany. This question is the true origin of the
difficulties in Schleswig-Holstein, and the present threatening aspect
of affairs, growing out of the disputes in Hesse-Cassel. The Duchy of
Holstein is the northernmost State of Germany, lying upon the Baltic, on
which it possesses one or two good seaports. The sovereign is the King
of Denmark--not, however, as such, but as Duke of Holstein. The present
King of Denmark is without male heirs, and upon his demise the crown
will pass to the female line. But it is contended that the principle of
the Salic law, excluding females from the right of succession applies to
Holstein, in which case the heir of the Duchy is the Grand-duke of
Oldenburg, a German prince. In order to avoid the separation of Holstein
from Denmark, the king issued a patent conforming the succession in
Holstein to that of Denmark. The inhabitants of the Duchy, whose
sympathies are with Germany rather than Denmark, resisted; appointed a
provisional Government, and appealed for protection to Germany. At tha