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present； rendered impracticable by Holland if she sells her
colonial produce to Germany while she purchases her requirements in
manufactured goods from England； because England （no matter how
much of manufactured goods she sells to Holland） will always supply
the greater part of her own requirements of colonial produce from
her own colonies； or from the countries which are subject to her。
Hence the interests of Germany require that she should either
demand from Holland a differential duty in favour of Germany's
manufacturing production； by which the latter can secure to herself
the exclusive market for manufactured goods in Holland and her
colonies； or； in case of refusal； that Germany should impose a
differential duty on the import of colonial produce in favour of
the produce of Central and South America and of the free markets of
the West Indies。
The above…named policy would constitute the most effective
means of inducing Holland to join the German Zollverein。
As matters now stand； Germany has no reason for sacrificing her
own manufactories of beetroot sugar to the trade with Holland； for
only in case Germany can pay for her requirements of this article
by means of her own manufactured goods； is it more to her advantage
to supply that requirement by an exchange trade with tropical
countries； than by producing it herself at home。
Hence the attention of Germany should be at once chiefly
directed to the extension of her trade with Northern； Central； and
South America； and with the free markets of the West Indies。 In
connection with that； the following measures； in addition to that
above adverted to； appear desirable： the establishment of a regular
service of steamships between the German seaports and the principal
ports of those countries； the promotion of emigration thither； the
confirmation and extension of friendly relations between them and
the Zollverein； and especially the promotion of the civilisation of
those countries。
Recent experience has abundantly taught us how enormously
commerce on a large scale is promoted by a regular service of
steamships。 France and belgium are already treading in the
footsteps of England in this respect； as they well perceive that
every nation which is behindhand in this more perfect means of
transport must retrograde in her foreign trade。 The German seaports
also have already recognised this； already one public company has
been completely formed in Bremen for building two or three steam
vessels for the trade with the United States。 This； however； is
clearly an insufficient provision。 The commercial interests of
Germany require not only a regular service of steam vessels with
North America； especially with New York； Boston； Charleston； and
New Orleans； but also with Cuba； San Domingo； and Central and South
America。 Germany ought to be behind no other nation in respect to
these latter lines of steam navigation。 It must certainly not be
ignored that the means which are required for these objects will be
too great for the spirit of enterprise； and perhaps also for the
power of the German seaports； and it seems to us they can only be
carried into effect by means of liberal subsidies on the part of
the states of the Zollverein。 The prospect of such subsidies as
well as of differential duties in favour of German shipping； ought
at once to constitute a strong motive for these seaports to become
included in the Commercial Union。 When one considers how greatly
the exports of manufactured goods and the imports of colonial
produce； and consequently also the customs revenue； of the states
of the Zollverein would be increased by such a measure； one cannot
doubt that even a considerable expenditure for this object must
appear as only a reproductive investment of capital from which rich
returns are to be expected。
Through the increase of the means of intercourse of Germany
with the above…named countries； the emigration of Germans to those
countries and their settlement there as citizens would be no less
promoted； and by that means the foundation would be laid for future
increase of commerce with them。 For this object the states of the
Zollverein ought to establish everywhere consulates and diplomatic
agencies； by means of which the settlement and undertakings of
German citizens could be promoted； and especially to assist those
states in every practicable way in giving stability to their
governments and improving their degree of civilisation。
We do not share in the least the opinion of those who think
that the tropical countries of America offer less advantages to
German colonisation than those of temperate climate in North
America。 However great； as we have openly confessed； is our
attachment for the last…named country； and however little we are
able or desire to deny that an individual German emigrant who
possesses a little capital has greater hope of permanently making
his fortune in Western North America； we must nevertheless here
express our opinion that emigration to Central and South America；
if it were well led and undertaken on a large scale； offers in a
national point of view much greater advantages for Germany than
emigration to North America。 What good is it if the emigrants to
North America become ever so prosperous？ In their personal relation
they are lost for ever to the German nationality； and also from
their material production Germany can expect only unimportant
fruits。 It is a pure delusion if people think that the German
language can be maintained by the Germans who live in the interior
of the United States； or that after a time it may be possible to
establish entire German states there。 We once ourselves entertained
this illusion； but after ten years' observation in the country
itself； on the spot； we have entirely given it up。 It lies in the
very spirit of every nationality； and above all in that of the
United States； to assimilate itself in language； literature；
administration； and legislation； and it is good that that is so。
However many Germans may now be living in North America； yet
certainly not one of them is living there whose great…grandchildren
will not greatly prefer the English language to the German； and
that for the very natural reason that the former is the language of
the educated people； of the literature； the legislation； the
administration； the courts of justice； and the trade and commerce
of the country。 The same thing can and will happen to the Germans
in North America as happened to the Huguenots in Germany and the
French in Lou