The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-08-03
Count Won Bismarck.

At this time, when the subject of the war is the alb
sorbng topic with all classes because all classes will
be more or less affected financially, from sentiment
in its progress duration and results everything con-
nected with it possesses peculiar interest. One of
the most prominent pieces the political chessboard
and upon which WILL in great part depend the success
failure of of the combatants is the man whose
name heads this article Since his first appearance
prominently in the politics of Europe, and more
pecialy in his conduct of that short but brilliant
paign which was crowned with such complete success
at Sadowa while regarding him. does all the rest of
the world, as a remarkable man, we have also con.
ceTed that he had many of the elements of Andrew
Jacksons character in bis mental if not moral organ.
ization. selfTeliant, domineering, ambitious, and
witha remarkably asue, he evidently has contempt
uous regard for the opinions of Others and has treated
his King as though he we're subordinate and the
Germans as though they were puppets.
The following, which partially condense from
the New York Standard, is probably correct por.
trsiture of the man: Notwithstanding the overshad
owing emnence on which stands Napoleon the Third
it evident that thinking minds are, at this moment
occupied in studying Bismarck rather than in conten
plating the Bonaparte representative. Count Bismarck
is the only European statesman who has dared to OPP
pose his schemes of national unity his King, his
try, and his personal reputation, to that dognhe-
manger spirit of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT which has character
zed for the last fifteen years. tie policy of the second
empire. AS nomnslly responsible minister, he has
again and again flung down the gauntlet, and has
offered the Emperor of the French direct provoca
ton to that all Europe has stood aghast at his te-
merity and marveled while they sneered at the su-
plneness of his Imperial antagonist. He has trans
formed the Prussia of his youth, poor imitation of
second,ate power into the controlling State of the
most powerful European confederation of modern
days.
"The principal charge brought against him is that
though advocating German unity he persistently op
poses German liberty That this is true, the political oc
currences in Germany during the last five years fully
demonstrate. Bismarck has fought, and will fight
again, for United Germany, but it must be Germany
the trunk, and Prussia the head of the Conederacy.
He will not tolerate in reality, though he can make an
appearance of toerating, any assumption of equiva
lent power the part of any other of the Confederate
States Any proposition from them is almost certain
to meet with opposition from him when independently
offered, but may possibly meet with his approval if
placed under the shadow of the Prussian wing Count
Bismarck is the representative of idea, but he is
not truly man of Ideas and so far, he is no true
German.
Unlike Lord Derby but like the present Mr.. Dis.
raei, he is senaualist as regards patriotism. He
would like it, did it quit bis whim-his fancy He is
willing to prostitute patriotism to bis own ends He
has done So in far he has striven to PROSTATE
the idea of bis w-countrymen--German unity
at the foot of that God Bismarck which, with the
recklessness of Nebuchadnezzar, be has allowed his
selfish vanity to raise on high. He worships not at
the shrine of ancestral tyranny but ancestral tyranny
is the sweet smelling incense which he offers at the
shrine of patriotism He represents territorial
tynot in broad acres for his personal estate is not
imposing in its vastness-but be is the political strong
hold the ayowed mouthpiece of territorial influence
His views the land question almost ndentical with
those of Mr. Disrae and he far comedies with that
plant gentemans ideas popular representation as
to think that it is not great popular institution but
gracious permission the part of benefcent gov
eminent. ln Bismarcks character there is much that
is attractive; much that, the American mind is re-
polling He is one of those curious mixtures of whom
we likely to know from history than from the
present. In his public life he is hard obstinate and
implscable. In his private life, if we are to Judge
from George Won Hesekie, he is aniabe, Affection
ate country gentleman. But there are millions of
Germans ready assert that his political life is di.
rect contradiction of his private life In their eyes
bis only good quality is the bulldog courage with
which he has SO far frustrated French imperial in.
trigue."