The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-08-12
THE HOUSE OF HOHENZOLLERN-ITS
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS.
From L.ooiniop Nationa,e. July ts.1


The house of Hohenzollern. which to-
day makes such noise in Europe, and
menaces all nations by its ambitious
projects, is of Suabian origin. In
leaving the town of Hechingen, water
ed by tributary of the Neckar, the
traveller who directs his steps south
ward toward Berlingen, sees rising on
his left conical shaped hill, on the
summit Of which is situated q castle of
feudal proportions. This is the cradle
of the house of Zollern, called Hohen
or high Zollern, on account of the ele-
walton of the ancient manor. This cas-
tie, which. gave its name to the royal
house of Prussia, was built about the
year $50, A. d. The petty mobiles to
whom it served as aresidence. lived for
long time in obscurity, and became di-
vided into three branches, that of Fran
coma, whence has issued the royal house
of Prussia, and those of Hechingen and
Sigmaringen, who remained stationery.
The two latter have played but an in
significant role in history, but the line
of Franconia learned early to appreciate
the value of money, and Frederick VI,
afterward Frederick /, conceived the
happy idea of lending 100000 forms to
the Emperor Sigismund. That 100, 600
fiorins was the origin of his greatness.
Sigismund, being unable to repay them,
yielded as collateral security to his cred
itor the Margravate of Brandenburg,
till he should be able to discharge the
debt. Frederick found some trouble in
installing himself in the Marches, for
the mobiles of the district did not feel
disposed to submit to this hypothetical
superior. The Litgows, the Bismarcks,
and others revolted, and at first came of
eonquerors. But Frederick was a man
of ability. He learned that the Mar
grave of Thuringia was the possessor
of new weapon of war of marvellous
power, called a cannon. He brought
this to bear upon his adversaries, and,
thanks to the cannon, terminated the
struggle to his own advantage. Thus
was Prussia born by the power of gold
and cannon balls. Despoiled
of their possessions in consequence OF
the wars of Napoleon, the little prince
doms of Hechingen and Sigmaringen
lost their royal dignity, but having Civ
en- their adhesion to the Confederation
of the Rhine, they were reconstructed
by Napoleon /, a proceeding which did
not prevent them from turning against
him in 1914. Having but scanty reve-
nues and abundant debts, Hechingen
and Sigmaringen decided upon resign
ing, in 1913, all their rights in favor of
concluded in 1850, agreed to pay the
former branch an annual sum of 10000
thalers. He felt his honor concerned in
the possession of this little bit of terri
tory, containing 1900 inhabitants.
which gave him, besides, footing in
South Germany. Scarcely was he in
vested with his double principality be-
fore he fastened to repair the manor OF
Zollern; to rebuild anew its Gothic for
tifications, and to cause to be inscribed
in letters of gold and azure, above the
entrance door, this inscription:
''Zollern, Nuremburg, Brandenburg
united, built this castle in I45S. The
strong hand of Prussia raised me up.
am called the door of the Eagle-1S51.'
Above this proud gateway of the
Eagle his Prussian Majesty caused a fig.
ure in relief to be erected, representing
a fully armed knight, with this motto
"VoDa F'ets zuna Meer"-from the rock
to the sea; that is to say, from ZollerI
to the Baltic, from Zollern to Trieste, OF
the Adriatic, being understood.