New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-03


than twenty thousand persons it is estimated took
part in the solemnties. 1t took at least two hours
for the funeral procession to move from the house
of the deceased to the grave. A crowd of perhaps
100000 filled the streets in the vicinity Not even
the funeral of Humboldt, eleven years ago, called
forth such universal demonstrations of respect and
grief A brief but impressive, discourse, describing
the public services of Waldeck, and presenting
heartfelt Tribute to his memory, was pronounced in
the churchyard, by DR.. Lowe, whom many of your
German readers will recall TO mind, as an enthus-
astic advocate of liberal politics for several years
New-YOrk and now leader of the movement party
In the Prussan Legislature.
The departed statesman was native of Minister.
the capital of the province of Westphalia where he
his academlca education, he devoted himself to the
study of Jurisprudence in G0ttingen for three years.
and was soon called to important official posts in
different cities of Westphalia. In 1896 he took up his
residence in Berlin, where he had received the ap
pointment of judge in of the higher courts of
that city. From his youth up, he had cherished a
profound sympathy with the democratic spirit of
the Prussian civil CODE On account of the pro
gressiye element in her legislation, he had ardent
faith i'll the destiny of Prussia, to take triumphant
part IN the development of the political institutions
of Germany, and the establishment of her national
unity. Prior to the year lSiS his influence was pTn
cpally confined to his judicial functions in the ex-
ercse of which he resolutely applied the provisions
of law in behalf of the people Ill spite of the feuda
reaction which left no means untTied TO defraud
them of their rights or curtail the enjoyment of
their freedom. He was so faithful and yigilant
at this period, in his devotion to the popu-
lar cause. that he became known far and wide in
Westphalia by the name OF the " peasants KING"
The revolutionary movements of 4S gave him
wider field of activity, and enabled him 10 assert the
principles TO which his life was devoted i'll the halls
of legislation. He elected in four different
places as representative to the Prussan National
Assembly. The people, i'll spite of their want OF
fmH wG public WHALE 2d 'T bCT b6d eSna
confidence in his integrity of purpose and his at
tachment TO their interests They had no fear that
his head would be bewildered, or his heart cor
rupted by the illusions of office They had trusted him
in the quiet and simple life which they had seen HIM
lead their friend and theirneghboT, and they well
knew that the seductiOns of the capital would never
bring stain over the purity of his DEVOTION. Nor
their confidence, in any degree disappointed
Waldeck at once assumed an important place IN the
Legislature. His judicial acconplIsnnentS ana eN-
perience could not but be respected even by those
who regarded his principles as eXtrayagant ana
dangerous HIS radical IDEAS were always 1ound III
company with vigorous sense and practical sagaclty.
No man could him Of visionary tendencies, or
of incompetence or unsklfulness in the management
of affairs. He was thoroughly acquainted with the
wants of the people; his heart beat only with synpa-
thy for their claims; but he never failed to take
counsel of prudence he knew when to speak
and when to keep silence; when to deal an effect
i've blow, and when to let his sword rest IN
the sheath. His legal attainments brought his
services into req est III the revision of the consttu
ton he was Chairman of the Committee appointed
for that purpose and to his foresight and resolution
the most valuable liberal provisions Of the new form
were mainly due He was strenuOusly opposed to
the representative system, after the fashion OF
France and Belgium, which he believed fell far short
OF consulting the actual wants OF tne masses OF
people, and possessed little efficiency as safeguard
against the absolutst cravings Of arbitrary govern
ment. On the contrary, he insisted on a constitu-
ton based on broad democratic principles, ana car
Ted into practical operation IN free, sef-actlng
communities and circles He entertained the
sniff and srsnected every influence which
could thwart his plans for the construction OF
a constitution. He feared the TENDENCIES OF the
army, of the moderate party in the Legislature. and
OF different political societies of more private char
acter He fought these enemies of democratic recon-
structiOn with all the energy of his nature Unwll-
ling to give them the slightest foothold in the
government of the nation, he was ready In case OF
need to renew the popular revolutionary movements
which had so recently subsidized, andl TO appeal 70
force for the establishment of the rights which could
not be obtained by compromise He, accordingly, at
that time, became the subject OF lively aversion,
among the mole timid and conservative portions OF
the liberal party. With the "Old HunkeTs" OF
PTussian politics he, of course, the best hated
man in the country from k6nlgsberg to CoIogne
In the Spring of 1Si9 Waldeck was accused OF par
ticpatiOn in "a conspiracy against the Government,
but after a legal examination OF the case when
lasted nearly seven months he was fully acquitted
of the charge which was shown to be destitute of
the slightest foundation i'll reality. Even the States
attorney, who had the management of the atalr
pronounced the trial and the evidence 10 be only the
offspring of intrigue ana knaNery; III lhe heHt VI
Waldecks undOubted innocence, the shame OF ms
accusers was made sgnally conspicuous During
the same year. he retired from pohtlcal me, ana
devoted himself exclusively 10 his judicial
duties, and TO literary pursuits, in which
from the commencement of his university
career, he had continued to cherish the
deenest interest. Although advanced i'll life,
the new turn of public affairs IN 1860 led to renewal
of his political activity; he again became member
of the national legislature, and prominent leader
of the democratic party-ater whichin Europe still
retains its original significance, without having been
tainted by the corruption of audaclOus pretcnders 10
the honorable name. He continued TO hght the
battles of popular freedom with undated vlgor
until the approaches of disease warned HIM that 1t
was time to lay aside his armOr. Since the Autumn
of last year. he had gradually Withdrawn from
the cares and responsibilities of political leader
ship. Although retaining his youthful freshness
and strength of spirit TO the last DAY OF ms
active career, he was finally compelled to Yield
TO the bodily infrmities of his age. The decline
of life produced no change Ill his convictions. Inc
man of many years still cherished the dreams OF ms
YOUTH TO the idea of a German democratic unity,
founded on popular education, popular intelligence,
and popular freedom, he faithful to the last.
The natural timdty of age never led INN 10 dlstrust
of the people. Amid the crumbling and precarlous
institutions of European society he looked Tor the
dawn of better day, in which the happiness OF the
people would rest on the basis OF knowledge ana
virtue and the grim specters OF superstition ana arD-
trarv rule would disappear before the light OF truth
The example of such mana judge of integrity
incOrrupt a statesman without guile or cunning, a
political leader without private ends, legislator
above the approach of temptatlOn-may not be lOst
upon our strenuous and heated population, though
it is sent from thousands of miles beyond the sea- r.
CLOSE STEAMING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.
An accidental ocean race has just been run
across the Atlantic with result even more closely eqaa
than the celebrated performances OF the Russia anu he
Cy of Paris in February 1869 The cOntendng vessels
i'm This instance also belong 10 the Cunard and lnnan
Companies the vessel of the former line being the Nene
ais and OF the latter the City Of BrO0kyn me last new
shin INT one OF the line. The City of Brooklyn left on
her eglar day. saturday Goth April and the Nemesis
being In NewYork left an extra vessel on the same
day and nearly at the hour Both vessels arrived
together off the Rock Lighthouse at the mouth OF the
Mersey on the afternoon of May H. at 400 Inc Clty OF
Brooklyn according TO the record in her log ei he per
I'm New-YOrk at l:22 u. III. on the 3Olh OF APIn,
and proceeded Slow waiting for the ude, Az
p m she OFF SANDY hook anu az
4l5 discharged her pilot The log OF te Nemesis decos
that she passed Castle Garden, NewYOrk, at 800 M
Sandy Hook at p. at 5O7 discharged her plot anu