Austria

The whole world is being agitated upon the one principle of Liberty! Liberty! The pulse of every nation beat in unison, and all join in one general aspiration after liberty. The following extract is from a London correspondent of the National Era. Who can read it without admiration of the German character? "The flight of Metternich from Vienna before the fury of the people whom he had so long trodden as the dust beneath his feet, is the great event of our day. It is the failure of our despotism in Austria, the last place, with sad exception of Russia, where it could be expected to fail. The progress of Constitutional Government from one German state to another, during the last month, ceases to be the cause of wonder, in comparison with the fact, that the iron mace of Austria is broken. "Allow me the gratification of stating, on the authority of a gentleman well qualified to inform us on the real causes and the probable results of the movement in Germany, that we have every reason to anticipate from the whole of that assemblage of countries the most excellent results. The demand for freedom of the press, for governmental reform, for Constitutions, throughout the States of Germany, is not the result of excitement and sudden determination. The German mind has been for years back preparing to throw off the incubus which has sat upon it. The professors have directed their attention to the claims of political justice and freedom, and the students very generally have been informing their minds on the great questions which are now agitating Europe. There is in the halls of learning a vast amount of political wisdom, and there are minds well prepared, now that the opportunity is afforded them, to come forward and benefit society by well-digested plans for working out the great political problems which statesmen are called upon to solve. We have no reason to fear that, in the crises which are now springing up so rapidly, there will be any want of preparation for the mighty work which has to be accomplished. "A pleasing instance of the goodness of the German mind is mentioned in the Times this morning, by its correspondent - 'At Hanan, after the Elector granted their demands, a most impressive scene occurred- the whole populace, men, women and children, soldiers and burghers, civic guard and plowmen, walked hand in hand in procession to the market place, where a rude pulpit was erected. A pastor addressed them, urging peace and good will; after which, with one accord, this mighty mass knelt and returned thanks to God for haring spared them the miseries of a civil war. They then sang a hymn and returned home. In most of the States where danger of collision has been imminent, the people have pursued the same course, indicating thereby the goodness of their cause, and their disinclination to spill one drop of blood.' "