The Present Position of Switzerland

The People's Paper. Nr. 6, 12. Juni 1852

The Present Position of Switzerland.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Revolution of February, the canton of Neufchätel became the scene of a violent political commotion, in consequence of which the sovereign yoke of Prussia was thrown off, and the union of Neuenburg to the Swiss confederation proclaimed. The king, Frederick William, atthat time was glad enough to preserve the crown of Prussia on his head, and did not think of offering the slightest resistance to the act. No sooner, however, had the continental despots, with the aid of their powerful armies, and the treacherous assistance ofthe middle-class, succeeded in putting down the weakminded and disorganised opposition of democracy within

their own dominions, than they begun, step by step, to re-constitute the whole state of things previous to the events of '48, and to re-model the map of the Continent on the basis of the treaties of 1815. Hungary, Baden, Sleswic-Holstein, Rome, and Venice, became each in their turn the victims of the resuscitated giant of reaction, and Switzerland could not escape a similar fate. Twice already it has been menaced with a combined invasion of Austria and France, and only avoided the threatening crisis by an unreserved submission to the arbitrary demands of those powers. For though it has been asserted that the independence of Switzerland, and the maintenance of constitutional freedom on the Continent was mainly the result of Lord Palmerston's liberal exertions and unflinching perseverance, we cannot be induced to ascribe any real importance to the action of a diplomatist who, after surrendering Cracow to Austria, Sicily to Naples, and Rome to French bayonets, finishes his career by declaring himself in favour of an adventurous usurper, whose sole object in destroying the middle-class reign was to supplant it by the no less oppressive but only more despicable tyranny of a Bandit Emperor. England anew recognises the principies of the holy alliance, and Neuenburg is to be restored to the dominion of the Prussian Crown.

The Constitution of 1815 placed into the hands of the old patrician aristocracy the central administration of the country, leaving, however, such a degree of independence to each particular canton as to render the central government unable to introduce any general alteration in the affairs of the confederation. But gradually it here arose, with the introduction of modern industry, a new interest, a new class,

which partly severed from the aristocracy itself, partly raised itself from the ranks of enterprising mechanics and small capitalists. Zurich and Geneva became the centre-points of this industrial class, which even in Berne soon gained considerable ground. Their leaders, with the well-known radical phrases in their mouths, easily induced the people, and particularly their own workmen, to back the new liberal movement, and by such powerful aid they obtained their election as representatives of their respective cantons at the "Bundestag" of Berne.

Each year the struggle against the old conservative party became more violent, till at last the Liberals, or Radicals, as they are called in Switzerland, carried the victory. The great powers, of course, witnessed the defeat of the Conservatives with indignation, and determined to interfere in favour of their allies. But the Radicals adopted the very clever policy of securing to themselves the sympathy of public opinion on the whole Continent, by denouncing the Jesuit Propaganda, which had its principal seat in Lucern, and by proposing a new system of education, which combined and represented all the liberal ideas circulating in Europe. The Jesuits saw the danger that threatened them, and made an appeal to the absolute powers—caressing, at the same time, the cantons of Lucern, Fribourg, Schwytz, Uri, and Unterwalden, where they possessed an almost unlimited influence among the rude pastoral population—to reject the central authority of the "Bundestag. " Trusting to the help of foreign armies, they openly prepared for war; but, forsaken by Austria, which in such a cause could not expect to be supported by Protestant Prussia and England, they were defeated, and the result of the "Sonderbund" war was the definitive triumph of the Radical party. It may be imagined that they now hesitated no longer to place the government of Switzerland entirely into their hands by abolishing a Constitution so little adapted to their purposes, and by establishing anew one, which would guarantee for ever their prevailing influence. This new Constitution was scarcely introduced ere the revolution of 1848, most happily for the Radical party, surprised, and for a time entirely prevented the great European Powers from occupying themselves with the affairs of a small Republic, which at all events promised to remain neutral in the great struggle that was being fought in every other country. When the re-action in Europe triumphed, the Radicals, to save their government, their class influence, and their constitution, sacrificed their principles, their honour, and their very traditions. At the head of an independent republic, without combat they surrendered, and placed their country at the disposal of an enemy, who had scarcely yet lifted his hand for a blow.

Yet all this was not enough to reconcile the angry feelings of those powers. The Radicals were yet at the head of this country: therefore no intrigues, no bribery, no menaces were spared to remove them from power; and the Conservatives, under such favourable circumstances, have actually rallied and got hold of the government by the last elections at Berne. The first consequence of this change has been the revival of the Sonderbund tendencies in the Catholic cantons, in which the Radicals had established a government of their party. At Fribourg the Jesuits are busily stirring the population to overturn the government; and though they have not succeeded at the late meeting of Posieux to create a violent counter-revolution, it cannot be doubtful that the Conservatives of Berne will lend them all possible aid, and that the

The Present Position of Switzerland

old administration will be effected at no distant period. In Zurich the same party is gaining ground, and it may be inferred that Geneva also will be lost to the Radicals. Neuenburg again is in the hands of Prussia. Such is the certain future of the Swiss Republic, until the coming revolution of the working-classes on the continent will sweep away in one common flood the great Absolute Powers, and the Swiss Conservatives and Radicals alike.