Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-08-10
From tho Pail Mall Gazette.
THE CAREER OF COUNT B1smARK.


on the Elbe, and IS of a |
family which claims lineal descent from
one of tho ancient chiefs of powerful
Sclavonic tribe. He studied at the Uni
versties of Gottengen, Berlin and Greifs-
wald, became volunteer in the infantry,
WAS dame member Of the Diet of Saxony
in ls4G, and of The General Dict in the
following year. The singular vivocity of
his language, and his irrcrrossible tenden-
cy to start some bold and audacious para
dox, which be then maintained with re-
m"'kable vigor and ability, quickly fixed
the attention of political people. Ono of
tue theories whichhe cxpouuded in this fash
ion was to the effect that large cities were
centres Of all that was mischievous and
wrong-tEat they were obnoxious in the
highest degree 10 the general welfare of
nations, and ought to be destroyed as hot
bed Of the evil principles. The revolution
of 1913 had tie effect Of completely con-
firmi"g NJ. Bismalk in his absolute ,enden.
cies. Tie King had at,entively watched
the career of the young sta,cman whose
political views were so eminently accepta-
BILE to him, and in 1851 NJ. Bismark was
invited to enter the diplomatic service.
Ills talents were, it would appear, quite
understood at first; for soon atierwarl the
post of Prussian representative in Frank
fort was vacant, aud it was certain that diff
ficult and delicate questions would the ,e-
quire to be discussed and settled, and Bis
ma'k was appointed.
Whether anything occurred here to
wound his susceptibli,cs or irri'ate his
dogmitic and ovcrbearing temper cannot lie
rctual'y ascerlained but undoubtedly
from that period may be dated his constant
manifestations OF enmity toward Austria.
lie never lost any opportunity of declar-
ing. in season and out OF season, that Aus
tria was not only the hereditary foe OF
Prussia, but was a common source of dan
ger to Germany and disquiet and uneasi-
ness to the whole of Europe. Though, in
point of fact, Austria always has been and
in the nature Of things always must be, a
Conservative Power rather than otherwise,
sluggish in commencing war, and more Of
ten condemned to defend herself than 10
attack Others, bY continual reiteration
these accusations received a certain amount
Of cleiit. The Prussian Liberals did, in
deed, dislike NJ. Bismark, but not with
that bitterness with which man is said to
regard the enc mics in his own household.
At any rate, they deested Austria more;
and when in 1902 Nj. Bismark wac cent to
Vienna, and contributed largely to the ex-
clusion Of Austria from the Zolvcrein, or
ganizing systematic opposition to Count
Rechberg and oil propositions which eman-
ted from him, the hatred of liberal and
constitutional principles which has always
distinguished the Pruss;an Minister was ap
parently forgiven if not forgotten.
1t will be remembered that in 1853 re-
markable brochure appeared, entitled "La
Prusse ct 10 Gmenstom Halienne," in which
an alliance Of Prussia, Prussia and France,
was advocated, as the sure means Of estab-
fishing German unity which should be
once safe and honorable of course, it was
to be under the guardian care of Prussia.
There ia hardly any doubt that M. Bis.
mark, i he did not actually write this
pamphlet, inspired it, and superintended ito
introduction into the world and this fact
gives light whereby to read his charac-
ter, for it is NOT only despotic in theory ana
daring in action, but that contrary to the
generally accepted idea, he. has patience
and had "bide bis time" In 1857, M.
Bismark Was sent as an Embassador to St.
Petersburg, and remained for three years
8. the court Of the Gear. Whatev>- in:
huence he may have acquired will probably
remain barren except under certain cifcum.
stances which are not very likely to arise.
When NJ. Bismark left st. Petersburg be
was for about six months ambassador. at
Paris, and was summoned thence to Ber.
lin to oficiate in the double capacity Of
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Master of
the Kings Household. This was in 1862
At that time Prussia was prey to in.
ternal conf ct, carried on, however. with
phlegmatic cain and cumbroma slowness
which were both incomprehensib and
vexations to Euglish politicians. The
Lower Chambers steadily and resoluteIy
resisted the military reorganization, which
tended to weaken the Landwehr as much
as Il would sfrennthen fha standinn arunu