The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-21
BISMARCK AT HOME.

BISMARCK AT HOME.
Furious Speech Against the Polish Mem
bers In the German Reichstag-He Tells
Them Poland is no Nation, and the Poles
may Thanh their Stars they are Cared
for by Prussia.
Frern the German Correspondent of April 8.
Though the draft of the German Constitution
which has been submitted to the Reichstag
differs from that which was accepted few
years ago by Northern Germany only in
change of terms, German" being substituted
for North German, and SO on, the introduce
tion of the measure has given rise to long and
warm debates. The very title led to discus
sion as the party Of to ssr
into Imperial territory" (ReiehsgebieO After
Prince Bismarck declared that the Bundersrath
attributed no political Importance to the express
sion, which had been adopted for reasons of
style alone, the motion was negatived. The
Poles then moved an amendment to article for
the purpose of excluding the Polish districts
from the federal territory. This gave rise to
warm discussion, which was opened by Prince
Bismarck, who replied to the arguments of Won
Zolowski, the mover of the amendment, as fol-
This is not the first time our attention has been
occupied by a discussion of the fundamental ques-
ton which the gentleman who has just spoken has
short reply, and refer 70 the stenographic reports
OF sittngs of the Reichstag and OF the Prus
in the motion before you, and in the words Of the
gentleman who has Just spoken. 1t will be enough
and to refer to former arguments in support OF my
views. deny that the gentlemen who propose this
speech from the throne as they do. Reference is
there made to other nations and States whose inde-
to no other nation and no other State than that Of
the Prussians, OF which too am a member, and
they cannot include Posen and West Prussia which
have long been portions of the Kingdom OF Prussia,
in the other States and nations spoken Of in the
This is one of those fctions which dim the sight
and confuse the judgment. Again. deny that
e naye Of aay scs OF prassa
ever the language OF those Inhabitants may be.
will nes tS Sp aS SSq o
district and that you can have no special mandate.
occasion more carefully proved, that those who
elected you do not approve OF the declarations you
make in their name Ihe TACT Is SO notorious that
Your countrymen have fought for the cause which
unites us here with the same courage and devotion
displayed, and your countrymen, whom yeu repre-
sent here, just as grateful for the blessings OF
Prussian culture as The Inhabitants OF Scheswig.
Further-and j believe It is the tenth time this
has been done from the position o"cupy-I deny
that you have right to appeal TO treaty with re-
spect to the peculiar position of single provinces in
the Prussian State. You have always carefully re-
Trained from quoting the full wording or these trea-
ties In the Prussian Landtag had an opportunity
OF proving this word for word, and it is only because
repeat nv contradiction OF them. The existence OF
the Grand Duchy of Posen and West Prussia in the
fury would not have been possible If anything such
as you have repeatedly asserted had been stipulated
us us tolerance rather by example than BY precept
When the Poles were an Independent nation, what
they'll they had ID % Conquered with the swordg Do you re-
commend to our imitation the SYSTEM you employed
against the e anS aHs WIG mo es ner
mans7 -,
become perfectly intoerable IL we were to treat yol
as you rea ed the Germans you had conquered
The gentlemen who have studied the special hstorl
CfU Nest pruc Ia m a we
had an opportunity OF celebrating the anniversary
day memorable In the history OF the town OF Thorn
when Polish rulers taught the Germans, in letters 0
blood what Interpretation they were accustomed b
put on national efforts for separate existence. Yo
need entertain no apprehension, gentlemen, tha
these historical "reminiscences, which against m
wish you compel me TO make VIII either serve us a
Federal Governments and more especially the Gov
ernment OF your country that OF his Majesty tn
King OF Prussia, will continue their exertions to ex
tend the blessings OF law and civilization to tn
grateful and to the ungrateful; and fortunately tn
grateful are in majority even In your districts
After several other members had addresse
the House, Prince Bismarck again rose an
said:-
in harmony with the expectations OF the Assemb
II were not to speak at present only do 80 !
circulation which the good Will OF my parliamentar
opponents has frequently attributed tome. Thu
credit OF Count Schwerin's words-'la force domiu
lie droit'-"might goes before right" though 1t
well known never aseu Ineu. NOW nu0 from u
emphasis OF the last speaker Won NiegolewskD thu
he Is preparing new phrase OF the kind al
ne nation" The sentence is capable OF being great
abused the important point is what is understood
by the tive" BY the "we" unders Gand-and
this sense am ready to support the WOrds-the boo
OF representatives, some twenty gentlemen In a
who here act the part OF a nation-Of the Polish n
tion. You, gentlemen, are really no nation, an
You represent nation; you have nothing to re
on but your factions and your illusions, one
which is that the Polish people have elected you
pembers OF the Reichstag, In order to represent II
Polish nationality. / too know something OF II
reasons why you have been elected
On q former occasion / explained them to 20
and can give you some details on the subject. Y.
elected TO support the interests OF the Oatho
Church, and II you do so whenever those interes
are discussed you will have fulfilled your duty
your constituents. For that purpose you were no
estly elected, and you nave full right TO act In
cordanee with those views, but you have not ma
date to represent In this place the Polish people
the Polish nationality. No human being has col
missOned you TO do so, the people In the Ora
Duchy OF POsen and In West Prussia least OF q
They do not share the fiction you hold that
Polish rule would have been good or ''not b
thing" to use the expression OF the gentleman W
has just spoken. With all impartality, and WI
every desire to be just, can assure you that IL
very bad thing indeed, and that, therefore, IL "
never be restored. (Cheers.)