The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-02

Prussia. Is he really so thoroughgotng Ger
man? BY no means. There has always been
more spec fc Prussanism in hlm than ia
hundred other Prussians put togetner. What
he cannot now openly make known as minister
and diDlomatist, he often ard unreseryedly
expressed in 1910 as deputy-namely, his utter
contempt for the aspirations towards German
unity. Prusslanism alone, he used to say Ia
those days, "has saved the State" The army Is
inspired, mot by German but by PruSslan
enthusiasm" He had ''never heard Prussian
soldier sing the German national hymn" we
are Prussans, and PTussians we wish TO remain"
he exclaimed in conclusion; and on another
occasion he vented his abuse on the tri-color,
''tbe Colors of insurrection," which are worn
only by the democrat aud the ''regrettully o0e.
dient soldier" (The Prnsslan army wore at
that time, as we have already remarked, the
German Cockade by the side of the Prussian.)
How eagerly would Count Bismark now order
the Prussian soldier, however ''regretfully
obedientn to wear the German COCkade next to
the Prussian, not only on his helmet, but in
every possible part OF his uniform! and how
gladly would he allow German flags to wave
over all the Prusslan Government buildings
although he once in Erturt looked upon the
presence of these flags as "a mourntul sign of
the times"--if he only could thereby lure the
arms and the heart of Germany into his camp
The struggle for Schleswig Hostein, which he
had censured as petty act of revolution, and
an attack on Denmarks written right>," he
afterwards carried on on his own account, not
withstanding these same rights and the remon-
strauces OF Europe. Austria, whom he vene.
l.
the representative of the ancient power OF
Germany" he now attacks with all the military
force at his command, in order to drive her out
OF Germany. With Italy, the offspring of revo-
luton, who has turned nalta-dOZen OF divine
Tighted sOvereigns out of doors, he Is now III
close alliance; and after having for fourteen
years declared himself the arch-enemy of all
revolutionists, he now regards Garlbaldi, the
one of all men that most deserves to be called
the representative of the revolutionary prlnci-
pie, as the most worthy of his allies Finally,
the Frankfort Parliament, which he has rdi.
culed, and universal suffrage, which he had
stigmatIzed as destructive OF all order and law,
are now both appealed to by Count BIsmark
under the irresistible pressure Of the moment.
Notwithstanding this, he is anything put
vacilating and Changeabe. Unprincpled in
the choice OF bis means, he is unshaken in his
conviction that the power Of Prussia must
decline if she does not increase her territory In
Germany by main force. This conviction is the
sum total oil his political religion. On this
point he is with all his frivolity, true ian attic;
and for this object he is ready to make any
sacrifice ana brave every danger.
HIS WIT AND MPUDENCE IN DEBATE
Wit and readiness in reply was never wanting
in Count bismark. 1t is true that his wit
trenChed but too often on impudence (he has
become much more moderate and polished
since he has been a mnister), and was IN su1k-
ing incOngruIty with che earnestness of the
deOates and the dignity OF Parliament: but he
was always remarkable for his sharp and subtle
logic which, when he afterwards became am
bassador to the Diet, obtained him a permanent
reputation among the southern Germans. These
qualities, however, produced no impression on
the Berliners, Tor the simple reason that they
themselves are more witty, argumentative, and,
we may add, impudent than the inhabitants of
any other German capital. The true Berliner
has no veneration for anything-pot even for
God Almighty. or the learning of the late Alex
ander Won Humboldt and Blsmark who in this
point is thorough Berliner was not to be put
down by the Manteufel ministry or the presi-
hnl N no yUa 11a6
to order more frequently than the Speaker of
the House OF Comm ons has found it necessary
to do in ten sessions together. This, however,
grieved him but litte ne dehed the president
his bell, the protests of the House. and the oppo.
sition OF public opinion alike.
In the same year 1851 he came forward as
the advocate of the old system of close trading.
Again going back to the middle ages, he loudly
expressed wish-scarcely conceivable If we
consider the progress which has been made IN
political economy during the present century,
that every trade should limit the number OF its
apprentices, and be empowered by law to fix
price for each quality of the goods it sells.
This he held to be the only mode of protecting
the working classes against the oppression OF
capitalists.
One of the chief subjects of discussion in that
year was the establishment OF the right OF the
Chamber to vote the supplies; and during the
debates on this point it was Blsmark who, by
his contemptuous and aggressive conduct gave
rise some scenes of extraordinary agitation.
He denied, as he afterwards did when he became
minister, that the House could claim this
right, which is the surest guarantee of its
existence, and its most pOw werfu defense against
any unconstitutional attack from the other
estates of the realm. When he was referred to
the Constitution which the King had sworn to
preserve, he replied in his usual frivolous and
ot-hand way that he did not see why all that
relates to the Constitution should be surrounded
with sort of halo, and every Joke upon it oe
regarded as a desecration. lie himself had
sworn, said he, to the Constituton-not TO the
existing one only, but also TO any future Con.
stitutIon, with all its amendments He would
therefore treat with utter contempt the righteous
anger OF the liberals at his turning the Consti-
tuition into ridicule.
His diplomatic life dates from the summer OF
the year 1851. WHAT high influence enabled him
TO make such rapid progress-unprecedented in
the Prussian service-in the career OF diplo
speeches IN favor OF the crown and the nobility
had gained for him powerful protectors among
the latter aud attracted the attention OF the
King The latter, 1t Is true, deteSted frivolous
persons Jokes and Bismark has hardly anything
In his character with which the King sympa
thized but he could not help feeling an interes
in the man who, in this age of free thinking
rights OF the crown, and rise to fanaricism IL
behalf of Prussian House of Peers. A thTC
motive, however, perhaps influenced the KlnG
in his favor even more than the other two-i
very insignificant one, no doubt, which ha
passed unobserved by thousands, and was hardl!
worth observing. 1t was that Herr Won Bismarl
allowed no opportunity TO pass OF showing him
self in the uniform OF an officer ofthe Landwehr
which he knew how to wear with grace ant
dignity. Prussan kings respect people who d.
this under all circumstances. The wearing of
uniform has become law OF nature at the Prus
-. L. IL H.