[p. 510]
The further course of this speech is a historical compilation of the fortunes of Württemberg under its constitution; the general result that emerges is that the condition of the land at all times while it had that constitution was wretched, depressed, unhappy. From this the conclusion, contrasting with such a premise, is drawn “that the old Württemberg constitution has made the land happy for centuries, that it has the most decided advantages over all constitutions of other lands, is without doubt from of old the best constitution of a German land, the object not only of the admiration of Germany but even repeatedly of the attention of England”. Hereby, and because in it everything is determined by contract and nothing doubtful, because it is guaranteed, sworn to by all rulers, the people has not renounced it, etc., it alone is to be recognised as fundamental law and fundamental contract. A few modifications, which have become necessary through the altered circumstances, those mentioned above, are to be based only on it. The address proposed accordingly by the speaker and accepted by the assembly does not express these thoughts in direct style but brings them obliquely into the form of indirect hypotheses in the following manner: If the people has elected representatives only on the presupposition that the old, inherited constitution, confirmed etc., which has made Württemberg happy for centuries, must be laid at the foundation of all modifications, if further the majority of the mediatized lords have had to reserve their rights and the pronouncement of the Congress, then the estates recognise with most humble thanks that the King in the opening of this day has given them an occasion for deliberation on the application of the newer relations to the old relations of the land. Just as the assembly must therefore reserve to itself to lay the outcome of its deliberation before the King, so they do not doubt etc.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.