The most interesting of the German struggles of 1848 was that in Saxony.  Robert Blum [Footnote:  Blum, born at Cologne in 1807, was a writer and an agitator, leader of the Liberal party in Saxony.  He was executed in November, 1848.—­ED.] was present at a ball in Leipsic when the news arrived of the French revolution.  He at once hastened to consult his friends; and they agreed to act through the Town Council of Leipsic, and sketched out the demands that they desired should be laid before the King.  These were:  “A reorganization of the constitution of the German Bund in the spirit and in accordance with the needs of the times, for which the way is to be prepared by the unfettering of the press, and the summoning of representatives of all German peoples to the Assembly of the Bund.”  The Town Council adopted this address on March 1st, and sent a deputation with it to Dresden; and, on the 3d, the people gathered to meet the deputation on its return.  The following is the account given by the son of Robert Blum: 

“By anonymous placards on the wall the population of Leipsic was summoned on the evening of March 3d to meet at the railway station the deputation returning from Dresden.  Since the space was too narrow in this place, the innumerable mass marched to the market-place, which, as well as the neighboring streets, they completely filled.  In perfect silence the thousands awaited here the arrival of the deputation, which, at last, toward nine o’clock, arrived and was greeted with unceasing applause.  Town Councillor Seeburg spoke first of the deep emotion of the King; after him spoke Biedermann.  But the crowd uproariously demanded Robert Blum.

“At last Blum appeared on the balcony of the Town Council House.  His voice alone controlled the whole market-place, and was even heard in the neighboring streets.  He too sought, by trying to quiet them, to turn them away from the subject of the address and of the King’s answer.  But the people broke uproariously into his speech with the demand, ’The answer!  The answer!’ It could no longer be concealed that the petitions of the town had received harsh rejection.  Then came a loud and passionate murmur.  The masses had firmly hoped that the deputation would bring with them from Dresden the news of the dismissal of the hated ministers.

“But Blum continued his speech, and they renewed their attention to him.  ‘In constitutional countries,’ said he, ’it is not the King, but the ministers who are responsible.  They, too, bear the responsibility of the rejection of the Leipsic proposals.  The people must press for their removal.’  He added that he would bring forward in the next meeting of the town representatives the proposal that the King should dismiss the Ministry, ‘which does not possess the confidence of the people.’  Amid shouts of exultation and applause, the appeased assembly dispersed.”