The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-21
The PRUSSIAN PREMIER.
Count Won Bismarck.
The Master-Mind of Germany.
His w on d e rful Care eer.


antagonist of Napoleon in the struggle now going
on in Europe. But behind the throne Of King Will
liam stands Count Otto Edward Leopold Won Bis
marck, the Chancellor of the Bund its creator, the
master-mind of Germany and the moving spirit OF
Prussias present greatness. without him King
william might get along at present, might possibly
conduct the present to successful
issue. But without him King William
could never have wrested Scheswig- -Holstein from
Denmark, Inundated Austria at Sadowa, annexed
to Prussia dozen of the surrounding kingdoms and
prncpalities, and on the ruins of the old Germanc
Confederation built up the new Confederation of
North Germany with Prussia at its head, and hold
ing the position OF the most formidable power the
Continent. He is reported to have said recently
probably al the time Of the Luxembourg imb roglio
in 1867 as that would make the dates tally
'Sixteen years ago was living as country gentle
nan, when the King appointed me Envoy OF Prussia
admiration, might almost say the worship, of the
Austrian policy. Much time, however, was not
needed to dispel my youthful illusions. The humi-
alton Of my country, Germany, sacrificed to the in
terests of foreign nation, crafty and perfdious
line of policy these were not things calculated to
give me satisfaction. conceived the idea of snatch
ing Germany from Austrian oppression-at least that
manners and interests identify her destinies with
Prussia-Northern Germany"
To this gigantic task he inspired King William,
and through his cunning statecraft and indomtable
will, even more than to the neede-gun at Sadowa,
its consummation was indebted. Now that Napo-
leon alarmed at the gigantic strides made by Prus-
sia under his inspiration has taken upon himself
the task OF undoing his great work, the life of this
man Of "Iron and Blood" becomes vital portion Of
the history of the pending struggle
Otto Won Bismarck was born on the family estate
of Schoenhausen, in the province Of Brandenburg
on the tst OF April, 1915
The Bismarck Family.
He came of family which belongs to the ancient
gentry Of the country, and has furnished many OFF,
GERS and servants to the Electors and Kings of Prus
sia. On the banks of a small stream known as the
Biese in Ait Mark, lies quaint old town of pictur-
esque appearance which was once of considerable
importance within itself, but is chiefly interest
ing from its associations with the traditions OF this
iustrious Bismarck family. BY some antiQuarlans
the origin OF the name is traced to its situation on
the Biese by others to the Bismarck family, whose
early seat it was; but the more generally received
opinion is that, having been possession of the
Bishops Of Havelberg, who erected there strong
fort castle for the protection of their territory
Mark, the town originally called Blscopes-
marck (Bishopsmark). In process of time the name
became shortened to Bismarck. Anciently the town
had ecclesiastical Importance from the presence
OF holy cross, which was said to have fallen from
heaven
Little is definitely known respecting tie origin of
the BismarCks One tradition asserts that they
noble family of Bohemia, settled by Charlemagne
in the Alt Mark, and the founders of the town that
bears their name; but they now generally be-
leved be, like most of the families OF knightly
rank in the Alt Mark, the descendants of German
warriors who, under the Guelph, the Ascanian, or
other princes had conquered the Slavic lands on
both sides OF the Elbe for Christianity and German
civilization, and had then settled them
selves on those lands as fefhoders
The Bismarcks, according to this view
belonged to the warrior family that held
Biscopesmarck; and when surnames came into use
called themselves after their dwelling place, and
thenceforth were known in German annals as Won
Bismarck, retaining the name after the loss ces-
sion Of their original seat. Like many other knighty
families Of the Alt Mark, the Bismarcks gradually
spread towards the east conquering larger territory
for German Christian culture, and subdung the
Wends, or driving them back towards the oder.
Then, at the beginning OF the fourteenth century,
the Bismarcks appear as warrior knights in Prieg-
nitz and the region of Ruppin. on the other hand
the German historian Riedel traces the family OF
the great Prussian statesman to a plebeian origin
It appears to him credible and plausible that the
chivalric race of Bismarck found at the commence
ment OF the fourteenth century in Priegntz should
have descended from the castelans at Bismarck,
who were provided with territorial efs on the down.
fall of the episcopal CASTLE while he holds it for
certainty that the Won Bismarcks OF Prussia arose
from citizen family, and attained their rank a
ward for distinguished military services Herr Riede
lays great stress on the fact that in the four
teenth century Claus Won Bismarck appears as
freeman OF the Guild OF Tailors in Stendal, the
circle county to which the town of Bismarck be-
longs; but this proves nothing by ITSELF 1t is well
known that in early times many knightly families
settled in towns and took part in municipal govern
ment. which at first was always more less patri-
clan in character and the noblest families were fire.
quenty associated with citizen guilds patrons or
honorary members in modern times, for
example, the Worshpful Company of Merchant
Tailors in London made the Duke of Wellington free
of their guild.
But, whether noble or plebeian, the first ancestor
OF the Bismarck family of whom we md any certain
mention in German annals not man TO be
ashamed OF. This was Ruo or Rudolf Won Bismarck,
whose name appears in the records from 1909 30
1898. This parsonage was a respected member OF
the Guild OF Tailors, often its presiding oficer as
well as q municipal magistrate. lie was held in high
esteem for hs prudence and wealth; but, by found
ing system OF common schools in Stendal, aroused
the opposition of the clergy and gave rise to a
dispute which was not settled until long after his
death. AS reward for important ser
vices rendered by Claus Won Bismarck
his eldest son, to the Margrave Lud
wig, the latter, in the year l345, granted the
castle OF Burgstal, one OF the stroagholds OF the
country, protecting the southern frontier OF the All
Marx towards Madgeburg, to Claus Won Bismarck
and his descendants as hef Thus the Bismarckl
entered the first rank OF the nobility OF the Alt Mari
as castellans.
The family OF Bismarck remained in uudisturbeC
possession OF Burgstall until the year 1866, wheI
the huntloying Electoral Prince, the Margrave JohI
Georgian order to obtain wider preserves attacked
their ancient privileges and forest rights, and
years later compelled them to exchange their an
cestra seat for Crevese and Schoenhausen. To tn
branch OF the family settled at the latter place be
longs Count Bismarck the Chancellor OF tn
North German Confederation.
His Early Life.
Born at Schoenhausen, as already stated, on tn