National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-09-02

In March, 1911, Frederick William
Ill, of Prussia, father of the present
sovereign, instituted the Order of the
Iron Cross, for peculiar military or civil
distinction in the war then carried on
against Bonaparte. just at that Prussia,
long depre ,sed, Lad taken place in the
van, and Ter troops We're part of the
great German Army of Liberation. The
so-called Confederation of the Rhine,
OF which Bonaparte had been head had
been dissolved. Frederick's motto was
"Honor and our Country" and this was
also adopted by Alexander of Russia.
Frederick William had invited his sub
jects to pour their gold and silver orna-
ments into the public treasury, whence
they would receive iron ones fashioned
i'll the same form, to preserve III their
families-lndicatlng pnst wealth and
present patriotism-and the call had
been nobly responded to. Bracelets,
necklaces, rings, brooches, crosses, soil
taires, earrings of gold, and jewels were
taken to the treasury and there ex-
changed for similar bljoux, beautifully
worked III bronze, and inscribed 81 give
gold for iron, 1873" From that time
until the war was ended, golden orna-
ments were never worn, and hence arose
the beautiful Berlin bronze ornaments,
so well known and SO highly priced
throughout Europe, as well as the order
of the Iron Cross of Prussia.
The present King of Prussia has re-
vived this, the most honored and honor
able national decoration, conferred only
for service and high merit during the
War of Liberation in 1913 and 1915.
No other rank will be handicapped for
the chase of this reward for courage
exhibited on the field Of battle, or in
shielding the household gods at home,
but that of merit. The soldier of Prussia
has now before him two classes and
grand cross. The tirst-class medal and
ribbon is to be worn the instant he wins
it, on the left breast, where his heart
beats the second class in the button
hole, where of all places should be sport
ed the flower of valor the third, a
double size medal, to dangle round
his neck as cross round the throat of
"A Crusader But to possess the second
he must make good his title to the first.
| The Grand Cross will be the recognition
of nothing less than signal victory accom-
plished, the conquest of an important
position or place, or the brave defence OF
IA fortress The iron cross was the glory
of glories during the wars of Liberation.
Even when you had won it, it yet remain
| ed to be won for the number of these
precious badges were limited, and it's
recipient had not only to distinguish
himself against the foe, but to wait till
one of his fortunate countrymen died.
He might, however, have handed it down
to his son Ms an heirloom. Here, then,
IA bit of cast iron, whose intrinsic value
would be magnifcently paid for by few
cents, becomes more valuable, to n brave
man, than the Sancy diamond or the
Kohnoor could possibly he, for it is the
perpetual testimony of valor, honor,
love. of freedom, and the fatherland.
Louis Napoleon may distribute baskets
full of the insignia of his uncle's cele-
brated order, but what is their value
compared with that of the simple iron
cross of Prussia, in itself II trophy and u
history p? IL has been revived, King
William declares to his German friends
and subjects, Sin consideration of the
serious situation in w'rh the country is
now placed, and in grateful memory Of
the heroic actions Of our fathers during
the War of Liberation. philadelphia
Press.