The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-07-11
Conversation with count Bismarck.

The Paris Steele prints conversation be
tween Bismarck and distinguished French
man who visited the Count in Berlin lately,
and frankly expressed his opinion about the
part PLAYED by the leader of Prussia. The
Steele appears to believe in the genuineness
of the .dialogue, which has significance OF
its own in any case Bismarck is reported
to have said, 81 know very well that am
as unpopular in France as am in Germany.
am everywhere made responsible Tor
situation which / did not create, but which
was pressed upon me as it was upon every
body. am the scapegoat of public opinion,
but 1 don't much care. strive with good
conscience after an object which l consider
useful for both Prussia and Germany. AS
regards the means, have employed such
as offered themselves, faute de mieur. There
| is a good deal to be said about the internal
situation of Prussia. To be able to judge OF
this impartially, it is necessary to know and
study thoroughly the peculiar character OF
the inhabitants of that country. While
| France and Italy form great social commune
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 theory of his own, always sus-
| picious of his Government and his neighbors,
and always Judging by his own and not by
the general view. The sentiments OF lndl-
vidualism and the desire to contradict 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 authorl-
tatively toward the individual, brings 1t into
bad repute with the moderate party, and still
more with the advanced section. Neither
the Liberal nor the reactionary Ministries
have found favor with our politicians" On
being asked whether he did not think that
the general dissatisfaction might produce
revolution, Bismarck replied: 1.-The Govern
ment does not think that any revolution IS
! to be expected, and it does not fear It, Our
revolutionists are not so very formidable
Their hatred finds vent in a number OF BAD
names given to the Minister, but they respect
the King. am the guilty party from begin
ming to end, as it is alone against whom
they rave With little more Importantly
they would see, perhaps, that did not act
differently because it was impossible TIC 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 his
arm smashed at barricade would come
home rather depressed, and get well scolded
by his wife. In the army, however, he IS
magnificent soldier, who fights like lion for
the honor of his country. = Sixteen
years ago lived quietly as country gentle
man, when the will of the King the late)
called me to Frankfort as Minister of the
Diet. l mad been broughtup in the admlra-
ton, might say veneration, of the Austrian
policy. But it did not take me long to get
thoroughly disabused of my youthful lllu-
sions about Austria, and | became its firm
antagonist l did not know that was eyel
to play apart, but at that time already con-
ceived the plan which Inow try TO carry out
viz: to free Germany from the Austrian
pressure-that part of it at least which by
spirit, religion manners and interest is closely
allied with the fate of Prussia. - Tc
reach this goal shall defy everything, ever
exile and gallows I once told the Crown
Prince, who by education and tendencies /:
more the man of parliamentary government
"What matters if they hang me, if only tia
rope ties your throne more firmly to TIT
fortunes of pure Germany"