A Letter from Archduke John to Beda Weber

Germany.

Frankfurt, 7 May. The following letter from His Imperial Highness Archduke John to the local Catholic parish priest and effective ecclesiastical councillor Beda Weber possesses, alongside a deeply heartfelt expression, such a contemporary political coloring that it may almost be regarded as a historical document. Mr. Beda Weber, whose kindness made the communication of this remarkable letter possible for us, introduces it with the following prefatory remark: "Although I am by no means authorized to publish this private letter of His Imperial Highness, anyone who shares the just revulsion at the attacks with which attempts are occasionally made to besmirch this spotless character feels an inner right to do so. The straightforwardness of this illustrious man will not hold this step against me; it is done in the interest of truth, toward which no German heart, especially at this moment, remains indifferent."

The words addressed by Archduke John to Beda Weber read as follows:

"Since my departure from Frankfurt am Main, I have not yet given You any sign of life; do not believe that I forgot You. I often learned how You were doing and what You were doing. After a brief stay in Vienna, I proceeded here to Gratz, where I am staying with my wife and child. My time was spent inspecting My estates, making various arrangements, and finally, as the weather improved, traveling through the different parts of the country to inform Myself of the sentiments of the inhabitants and the state of My associations. What I have seen so far has satisfied Me greatly. Even if the last two years unsettled everyone, good sense and love for the Emperor and the fatherland remained undamaged among the great majority. It is now a matter, for the good of the country and in support of government measures, for the preservation of internal peace and lawful order, of all well-meaning people rallying together and cooperating with one mind and heart, and this they will do, I am convinced. This is My task, not only in Styria, but in Your fatherland, which is so dear to Me. There may be many who wish to rush everything and will not like this; therefore, I must prepare Myself to serve as a target for that party which I persistently opposed in Frankfurt. It must begin by casting suspicion on My honesty and sincerity, traces of which are already evident; were it the truth, I could raise no objection, however painful it might be to Me, but if it is a lie, I cannot be blamed for being indignant. My thoughts and actions concerning Germany are known to You, which is why the article from Gratz in supplement no. 98 of the 'Frankfurter Journal' of April 24 of this year must have caught Your eye; since it is taken from the 'Kölnische Zeitung', it seems to Me that it flows from the very same source from which similar ones arose during My stay in Frankfurt am Main. I can only wonder at the impudence of saying that Detmold, who was always a loyal friend to Me, is repulsive to Me, and that I am on such friendly terms with General von Radowitz, which strikes Me as entirely novel. All this could still be endured, but the worst remains Auerbach's bungled work: 'Andree Hofer', where I appear as a deceitful man who abuses the trust of an honest people. Whoever knows the history of Tyrol knows whether I meant well by this land, and whether I was not at all times, even to My own detriment and annoyance, an honest defender of its rights and freedoms. Only a stranger who was not impartial during the October days in Vienna could write such a thing. My consolation is that in Tyrol people hold a different view, and that the truth will be defended by honest friends, since I, although capable of doing so, do not wish to step forward Myself, reserving that for a later time. – I often think of Germany, and especially of Frankfurt am Main; in the latter city I met many honorable men. As for Germany, deep melancholy grips Me when I think of what might have been, and what passions and craving for aggrandizement have ruined. The nation would be worthy of a better fate; yet unfortunately it will still have to endure many sufferings; may it one day reach the goal of a happy condition. I hope to see our Landl in the course of this summer and carry out My winter projects. Do not hold it against Me that I employ another hand, but I must spare My eyes. Write to Me when You have time, as one countryman writes to another, with the candor peculiar to our mountains. Gratz, 2 May 1850. Yours, Johann." (Fr. O. P. Z.)