The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-26


his state; In that capacity assisted In framing
new constitution for the canton OF Berne. Shortly
after coming into office civil war broke out. Seven
cantons made strenuous efforts to secede from the
confederation, the questions at issue between the
antagonistic parties being that Of religion and edu
cation. Staempfi violently opposed the alleged
right of secession, counselling not only recourse
to arms, but took himself an active part In the
fight, which ended ultimately In bringing back the
rebeous cantOns.
Mr.. Staemp1i, with varied success continued to
take an active part in all the leading questions
corning the politics OF his country Unhestatingy,
never for moment looking behind he followed In
the track he had c0mmenced-namey, that OF adv0-
eating reform and progress Having filed with honor
various offices OF State well OF the Confedera-
t0n ne was elected Vice President In the year 1855,
and In the usual course OF events he was elected
@ o. bs ee N the %nas
not admit the reelection as President for two
consecutive terms, the term being one year. But
In 1859, Mr.. Staempfis turn came again; he was
elected President and filled that office again and Tor
the third time during the year 1862.
Since that period Mr.. Staempni has ceased to de-
vote his attention exclusively to political matters
and became eminently useful In commercial
sphere Of action; In the year 1854 he created
Zurich and elsewhere. Mr.. Staempni was elected
President OF the institution known as the Federal
"Eidgenoesische Bank.n The bank building, oppo-
site the railroad depot is one OF the principal
where called upon the President OF the bank. NY
conversation with the gentleman was OF but short
duration, Mr.. Staempni being man OF few words.
He Is evidently one OF those few persons we meet
on this side OF the water who knows the value Of
time, and whose conversation is always to the
tentvely to the matter which formed the object
OF my visit Regretting that nothing had been
published SIC, to which he could direct my attention
his past life, he said that some two months ago an
English publication had printed what prOfessed to
be biography. Mr.. Staempni added that he was
of the from which that person had gathered
being discussed in public; sti as the whole career
OF mis- life had been spent In public almost any
body In Berne could tell me his history; His re.
ception was exceedingly courteous. Mr.. Staemphi
is the very type of Switzer. His personal appear
ance as well as his manners, strongly reminded me
by several inches. Mr.. staempni only slightly ex-
ceeds five feet or five feet two inches. He has q
round face clean shaven except
most reliable sources have gathered
ton of the Alabama question. At or about the end
OF the month Of April last Mr.. Staempfi left the
city of Berne and retired to st. Beatenberg,
small station near the Lake Of Thun. At that
retreat he remained more than three weeks, solely
FOR the purpose OF studying the case He absented
moested during his absence, in order to devote his
undivided attention to the task before him. The
IL
Staempni not to disturb him on any consideration,
save Of the most urgent necessity. Mr.. Staempni
Is not the man OF half measures; whensoeyer he
undertakes anything 1t Is done thoroughly. There
fore he had set himself the task of mastering the
AngloSaxon tongue. His modest and retiring
habits do not permit Mr.. Staempfi to boast of this
fact; nay he will not even acknowledge 1t; but
When the hour OF meeting at Geneva arrives 1t
must not be surprising If the switzer in his clear,
firm voice, shall give unmistakable indications OF
his success.
AS stated above, Mr.. Staempfi, although engaged
I'm nulIrn oil TIC ut ont hos mt oh
doned the tenets OF his former political life. In fact
he may be considered the very head and front, as
agitates Switzerland, namely, the revision Of the
old federal constitution. AS stated above, Mr..
Staempni with unnlnching tenaclty, clings to the
doctrine OF central federalism. The difficulty which
arose In the year 1S46 regarding the "Sonder Bund,
already alluded to, was nothing but an attempt at
breaking up the federal pact, and, on small SCALE
the controversy may be assimilated to the Ameri-
can civil war; Mr. Staempf ever since the expert
ence OF 1896 has advocated strong measures. Our
borne witness to the fact that Mr.. Staempfi has
always expressed strong and warm friendship
the State Department will undoubtedly bear out
this assertion II the dispatches OF our Ministers be
The people of Switzerland look upon Mr.. Staemp-
I'll as the ablest statesman OF the present day.
a difficulty into the face. His bold attitude has
more than once saved Switzerland from being
exposed to humiliation. The Confederation has
humiliation, or at least of seeing her independ-
ence assailed. When, after the Italian campaign,
portion OF Savoy territory was transferred to
France, the Swiss government energetically pro-
tested. While some OF his colleagues counselled
moderation, and neld to the maxim that for small
country 1t seemed prudent mot to provoke the
hour OF peril, with insufficient forces at home and
without hope OF receiving aid from without''-when
forward, asserting that 'when it appeared evident
that the hour Of peril was nearing 1t far more
preferable at once to face the danger rather than
cowardy to await Its ap roach"
That Mr.. Staempni firmly adheres to these views
he has shown on more than one occasion. Thus he
acted with equal firmness when the Prussian gov
eminent raised a difficulty in regard to the SOW
eregnty OF the canton OF Neufchatel. Threats were
held out that SOC, 900 Prussians would march into
Switzerland, and that threat was replied to by q
general call to arms The people OF the canton Of
Berne took IL tine n h I'VE saying I'VE certainly
hausted all means to maintain an honorable peace
We must forthwith prepare for war;" It must not
frebrand Quite the reverse. He is cool, but de-
termined In support Of this assertion an incident
Of Office in 1861 Under the First Napoleon, in the
year 1904, Switzerland lost small strip OF land,
i known ,., as the Valley Of Dappes. For more
had not ceased to claim the restitution OF
that valley. But the government Of France
persstently refused to recognize and the Parisians
violently opposed the just demands made by the
Swltzers. Mr.. Staemphi renewed the demand, and
IN December 1892 the territory was restituted to
ability OF Mr. Staempf, but above all to the secrecy
with which the negotiation had been conducted.
hi has again the admiration OF his fellow citi-
Zens as regards the Alabama question. He has
never been heard to breathe, publicly or privately,
word respecting our case. His most intimate
friends have not heard him make any mention OF it,
Although wrapped up In silence, the general
belief among his friends tends to prove that he de-
plores the publicity which has been given to the
negotiations between the administration at wash
ington and the British government. However that
may be- 1t Is quite certain that vacilation and want
of decision are words MOI to be found in Mr.
Staempns dictionary. The whole course OF his
life gives ample proof that when once arrived at
resolution he will stand by 1t, irrespective of con-
sequences "Under the circumstances" added a
friend OF Mr.. Staempni's. 'you may Judge for your
self what his ideas are about the pending uncer-
tainty in regard TO the Geneva arbltraton.r
The banking establishment over which Mr.
Staempni presides Is the largest, and, am told
the most prosperous in switzerland. Independent
OF his financial operations, MIR. Staempni takes the
greatest amount OF interest in the development of
the Swiss railroad system. To stranger IL would
appear that railroads In Switzerland were con-
sructed, not for the use OF the public but for the
benefit OF hotelkeepers There are no night trains
in any part OF the considerations there are but few