The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-07-10
conversation with Count Bismarck.

The Paris Steele prints conversation Pc
tween Bismarck and a distinguished fTench-
man who visited the Count in Berlln iate,y,
and frankly expressed his opinion ABOUT the
part played by the leader OF Prussia nc
S;ec1s appears to believe in the genulneness
of the dialogue. which has a significance OF
;ts own in any case Bismarck IS reported
to have said. " know very well that L am
rs unpopular in France as am In Germany.
T am everywhere made responsible Tor
situation which l did not create, but when
was pressed upon me as it was upon every
body. | am the scapegoat OF public opinion,
but / don't much care. l strive with goou
conscience after an object which l consider
useful for both Prussia and Germany. AS
reoarCls the means, I have employed such
MS offered themselves, faute de naaeu&. lhefe
is q good deal to be said about the 1nterhal
situation of Prussia. To be able to Judge OF
this impartialy, it is necessary to know ana
study thoroughly the peculiar character OF
the inhabitants of that country. Nhie
France and Italy form great social communl-
ties, animated by the same spirit and the
same sentiments, in Germany individualism
predominates. Every one living for himself
with wife and children in his small corner,
cherishing a theory of his own, always sus
Dicious of his Government and his nelghhors,
and always Judging by his own and not ny
the general view. The sentiments OF lndl-
yidualism and the desire to contraoIct are
developed in Germany to an incredible eX-
tent. No Government will ever be popular
in Prussia, whatever it may do. The great
majority will always oppose. The fact OF It's
being the Government, and acting authofl-
tatiYely toward the individual, brings II INTO
bad repute with the moderate party, and sun
more with the advanced section. Neither
the Liberal nor the reactionary Ministries
have found favor with our politicians. On
Ii
the general dissatisfaction might produce
revolution, Bismarck replied: The Govern
ment docs not think that any revolution Is
to be expected, and it does not fear 1T. Our
revolutionists are not so very formidable
Their hatred finds vent in number OF bao
names given to the Minister, but they respect
the King. am the guilty party iromsbegln-
ming to end, as it is l alone against whom
they rave With little more importantly
they would see, perhaps, that did not act
differently because it was Impossible 10 act
otherwise. In the present position OF Prussia
in Germany and especially considering Aus
tria we wanted above all things an army
This is the only power in Prussia that can be
disciplined A Prussian who would get MS
arm smashed at a barricade would come
home rather depressed, and get we'll scol!iei
by his wife. In the army, however, che Is a
magnificent soldier, who fights like non 1of
the honor of his country. oiAleeh
years ago 1 lived quietly as country gentle
man, when the viii of the King (tie late1
called me to Frankfort as Minister OF the
Diet mad been broughtup in the admira-
ton, I might say veneration, of the Austrian
policy. But it did not take me long to .; get
thoroughly disabused of my youthful li!u-
sions about Austria, and became its arm
antagonist [ did not know that was ever
to play part, but at that time already con-
ceived the plan which now try to carry out,
viz: to free Germany from the Austrian
pressure-that part Of it at least which by
spirit, religion, manners andinterest Is closely
allied with the fate of Prussia. :; 10
reach this goal l Shall defy everything, even
exile and gallows. l once told the Crown
Prince, who by education and tendencies is
more the man of parliamentary government !:
"Wha matters if they hang me, if only that
rope ties your throne more firmly to the
fortunes of pure Germany"