Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-11-16
King William and Bismarck.

LILO lOiIOWlu5 P1oooSC 40 AAOLa
Charles Summers recent lecture on the
European war:
1.-TWO personages at this present mo-
ment hold in their hands this great ques-
ton teeming with new civilization. Hon.
est and determined, both are patriotic,
rather than cosmopolitan or Christian, be-
lieving in Prussia rather than humanity.
And the patriotism so strong in each keeps
King William and his Prime Minister,
Count Bismarck. More than any other
European sovereign, William of Prussia
possesses the infatuation of Divine right.
He believes that he was appointed by God
to be King-differing here from Louis
Napoleon, who in spirit of compromise,
entitled himself Emperor 'by the grace
of God and the national will The infat-
uation was illustrated at his coronation in
ancient Kopigsberg, the first home of
Prussian royalty, and better famous as the
birthplace and lifelong home of EN-
manuel Kant, when the King enacted a
scene of melodrama which might be trans
ferred from the church to the theater. No
other person was allowed to place the crown
on his royal head. Lifting it from the al
tar, where itrested, he placed it there him.
self, in sign that he held it from Heaven
and not from man, and next placed another
on the head of thesQueen, in sign that her
dignity was derived from him. Then
turning around, he brandished gigantic
sword in testimony of readiness TO defend
the nation Since the battle of Sadowa,
when the Austrian Empire was so suddenly
shattered, he has believed himself the
providential sword-bearer of Germany,
destined, perhaps, to revive the old gIories
% Do hob H,tc arlxr
and, Notwithstanding his seventy-three
years, he continues to find pleasure in
wearing the spiked helmet of the Prus-
sian camp. Republicans smile when he
speaks of my army my allies and 'my
people, but this egotism is the natural
expression Of the monarchical character,
especially where the monarch believes that
he holds by "divine right" His public con-
duct is in harmony with these conditions.
He is q Protestant, and rules the land OF
Luther, but he is 10 friend to modern re-
| form. The venerable system of war and
prerogative is part Of his inheritance hand
ed down from lighting despots, and he evi-
IDENTIFY believes in it. His minister, Count
| Bismarck, is the partisan of "dlvine right,
and, like the King, regards with satisfac.
ton that hierarchicai feudalism froa
which they are both derived. He is no.
BILE and believes in nobility. He be-
| lieyes also in force, as if he had the blood
of the god Thor. He believes in war, and
| does not hesitate to throw its iron dice,
insisting upon the rigors of the game. AS
the German question began to lower, his
policy was more persistent. Not through
speeches and votes OF the majority SAID
he, in 1862, 'are the great questions OF the
time decided-that was the blunder o.
184S and 1849-but by steel and blood.
Thus explicit was he. Having policy, he
became its representative, and very soor
thereafter controlled the counsels OF his
sovereign, coming swiftly before the world
and yet his elevation was tardy. Born IL
1915, he did not enter upon diplomacy
until 1851, when 36 years of age, and only
in 1862 became Prusslan Minister at Paris
whence he was soon transferred to tht
Cabinet at Berlin as Prime Minister. Dow1
to this time he was little known. But from
this time he drew so large share OF pub
lio attention that the contemporary pres
of the world became the dctionar,
where his name was always found
Nobody doubts his intellectual re
sources, his courage or strength O
will, but it is felt that he is nat
urally hard, and little affected by huma,
sympathy. Therefore is he an excellen
war minister. 1t remains to be seen if b.
will do as much for peace. His one ide
has been the unity of Germany under tn
primacy of Prussia, and here he encoun
tered Austria, as he now encounters France
But in that large unity, he can do less, 8
long at least as he is a fanatic for king
and q cynic toward popular institutions
Such is the King and such his Minister.
have described them that you may see ho'
little help the great ideas already germ
mating from bloody fields will receive frol
them. In this respect they are as one,"