The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-09
DEVELOPMENT or GERMANY.

substantive force, are the more and more
amazing the more and more they are oon-
sidered and those that must follow them
within the current month will most probably
add perplexity to the astonishment which of
itself almost confounds our speculstions
The downfall of a French dynasty and the
erection of a republic in q day is net such a
novelty as need occasion much surprise, but
we may well wonder at the complete destruc-
tion of an army that was held to be the finest,
bravest, best oficered in Europe, in the space
of q little month, and at the fact that it was
outgeneraled in every manoeuvre and beaten
in every battle by a nation which, within the
lifetime Of its commsnder-in-chief, was the
common duelling ground of the continental
nations; her forts garrisoned by foreign SOL
diers, and her fortunes the sport of her enc
mics. In 1906 the whole military power of
Prussia was crushed in the battle of Jena.
From that time till the fall of Napoleon in
1915 her fortresses we're occupied perma-
nently by French troops. Just then, or only
fifty-fve years ago, her king rallied ''his people
for the field of Waterloo by calling on them to
throw off the French y0ke." But the year of the
great historic battle was not the new era of
Prussian history. In the three following
years the productive industry of North Ger
many, which had fourished under Napoleon's
blockade of the continent against English
imports, went down under foreign compe-
tition, and unusual distress drove the King
upon the policy of the Zollverein league,
which has fostered German industry ever
since. In 1918 it was established by Prussia
and the two SRartzburg principalities, and it
grew by the accession of other German States,
until now it embraces population as large
as that of the United States of America
Profane history, the annals of vulgar enthu-
siasm, punctuate national adventures with
great battles, coronations, and political revo-
lutions. Providence marks the progress of
peoples by the movements that develop men.
Just at the time that the Prussian monarch
inaugurated the system of industrial inde-
pendence among his people he adopted also
that sys em of common school education
which has made mon Of the masses. The
labor of the nation guarded against invasion,
military and literary education strictly en-
forced for fifty years, and the riddle OF Ger
man supremacy in Europe is read.
Half century ago military men held that
the nearer soldier was reduced to ma ,hine
the better. Our own recent history and that
which is now making in Europe shows that
the muskets which think are sure to vanuui III
those that are only drilled. The chassepot
has asomewhat longer range than the needle
gun, but the men that invariably hold their
fire and march within a hundred yards of the
foe before they pull trigger sweep every
thing before them against all advantages of
arms and position. The courage of a frantic
enthusiasm is no match for the courage of
character. Men are every way better than
machines. For half century Prussia has
carefully cultivated the brains of her chill
dren, provided and defended self-supporting
industry for her men, and in that time has
gathered in and consolidated into an effective
government some twenty or thirty little prin-
cipalities which to-day, as the United States
of Germany, command the fortunes of Eu-
rope. In this brief period, first Austria,
next England, and now France, and all to-
gether, are below her in power.
But this wonderful story will take turn
unless her rulers are guided by wisdom and
their objects are ruled by justice and benef-
cence. If during this eventful month of
September she takes the Apostles advice,
and makes her moderation known to all men,
her glory will henceforth equal her goodness.
The immediate future of Europe depends
upon the civil and military staff of King
William. Modern civilization owes so much
to the race which they represent that we may
well hope from them the other reformations,
economical and civil, which Europe so much
needs.
Whoever would look deeply into the causes
of the events we have witnessed and those
we wait for will do we'll to read and reread
Madame de Staels Germany" recollecting
that it was written in 1910, and correcting it
by the changes wrought into the character
and condition Of North Germany since her
day. The literature of the French Revolu-
ton is mere folly in the light of this book.
1t is German in philosophy, morals, religion,
and economy, and the Germany and France
of to-day represent the differences 1t is
good to know by the demonstrations of ma
tional experience that principles have force,
and that the facts of history follow and vim
dicate them.
The agents of the Government have been
set at defiance by Congressman r. r. Butler,
of Tennessee, who is charged with forgery