Our readers are aware of the rapid progress in Germany of 
Republican and Communist principles, which progress has of late 
excited unusual terror amongst the crowned brigands and their 
advisers of that great confederation of nations.? Additional measures 
of repression are, therefore, being called into operation to check the 
growth of these “dangerous doctrines”, particularly in Prussia. It 
appears that in the year 1834, a secret Conference of Plenipoten- 
tiaries was held at Vienna, when a Protocol was agreed to, but which 
has only recently been published, imposing most absolute restrictions 
upon the press, and proclaiming and enforcing the “right divine” of 
Princes over all legislative and other popular bodies whatsoever. Asa 
specimen of the “Holy Alliance” principle of this atrocious Protocol, 
we may state that the eighteenth article provides that 


“Princes who are menaced on the part of their states by any infringement of the 
orders laid down by the decree of the Diet of 1832, are to dissolve these states, and to 
obtain military aid in support from the rest of the confederation.” !78 


We may add, as a proof of how the fairness and freedom of the 
press is understood in Prussia, that strict orders have been given to 
the censors at Cologne, Minster, and other Catholic towns, not to 
permit the republication of any parts of the Irish trials now in 
progress.'”? One German journal wished to send a reporter or 
correspondent to Dublin; but there was no hope of being allowed to 
publish even his letter. No matter, liberty shall yet be triumphant, 
despite their dungeons and bayonets.