The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-19
THE UNION.


one-seyeral old veterans and nvads having made sim
liar applications with no better success. take pen,"
said the Ming, and write new petition to the minister
for the place you want" The sergeant did he or
dered "Now add" continued the King, that we old
soldiers are OF opinion that your exceency does not treat
the veterans OF the army OF the King with the consdea-
ton due TO their services and merits and that unless JUS
tce Is done to ourselves and comrades, shall take
measures to procure your exceencys removal and the
appointment OF some who will treat better in your
place" The old sergeant stared and wondered but obey
ed orders without question. Good" said the King ;
now sign your name, and then give me the pen" The
sergeant signed, and handed the pen to the King who
once appended his signature below that of the petit
toner. and sent thedocument to the minister saying with
a smile, we old soldiers must make common cause when
the great folks treat i'll let what the minister
will say to that pehtone" II is needless to add that in
this case, as well as in all OF similar character, there
was no longer any ground for any complaint the
OF inattentlon or neglect.
corporal of the guard whose gallanlry in the field
was only equaed by his love OF display upon parade,
sported dashing watch chain and bunch of seals to
which, for want of watch, he attached musket bullet
which he carried in his fob. Frederick found it out
Really, corporal" said he to him one day, "you must
have been very economical to have saved enough out
OF your pay to buy watch; what time are you III am
just six" "Sire," replied the corporal my watch says
neither six seven; all it is good for is to remind
to be ready any hour to die for your majesty "Here
my friend" returned the King, handing the corporal his
own watch, which was enriched with diamonds, take
this you should be called upon to die for me, it will
indicate the hour rather more exactly"
Equally mild and gentle the King TO his personal
attendants and his household servants He seldom spoke
to domestic page without using some kindly appel
laton, as "my friend" or "my child" and all who
were faithful and deserving received from him the most
paternal treatment Faults frequently forgiven or
ihara IN
royal households would ha' been considered unpar
donable, were taken with him, they only ELECTED
arch and good humored eproof which, while il checked
presumption inflicted no serious wound upon the feel
ings Passing lookng-gass day. he observed one
of his pages behind his back helping himself to pinch
from the royal snuf. box. "How do you like it /" asked
the King turning quickly, and addressing himself to the
embarrassed attendant Confused and abashed the young
man could not answer a word 4" | asked you how you
liked my snuff repeated the King, "and expect an an
swer" Forced to reply, the culprit last stammered
Out that il was very good Put the box in your pocket
them" said Frederick is not large enough for both
OF u.s."
The freedom which this absolute monarch accorded to
the press virtually great that which enjoys
under the most liberal governments; for, notwhstand-
ing his ministers wrung from him ordinance restrict
ing under the pretext Of restraining its RIGHTEOUSNESS,
was poweess from the fact that the King invariably
defeated its enforcement by the exercise of his supreme
prerogative. Any prosecuted and convicted under
this law for political had only TO apply TO the
King and his penalty to be remittedthe words
wish the press TO be- free being usually appended
the royal pardon 1t is difficult TO reconcile such ex-
ercise Of power with ideas of desposm and yet, if
the absolute and unlimited control and disposal OF the
lives and property of people constitute despotisn.
the Prussan monarchy in the time of Frederick the Great
was most undoubtedly Had his LOT been cast in this
country in the nineteenth century, Frederick might have
proved Jackson had Jackson been born in the egh-
teenh TO the throne OF Prussia he would have filled the
part of Frederick 10 perfection Seldom in the whole
range Of history do encounter striking
blance. mental, moral, or physical, between two
prominent characters presented by glance the
two great personages whom we have just named