The New York herald., 1872-10-20
Prince Bismarck and tho RecOnstruc-
tion OF Germany.

A few days ago 1t was announced that
Prince Bismarck was somewhat seriously y,n-
well. On later day the report was in
qualified manner contradicted. AT the present
moment however, there is general feeling
that the hard work which the Chancellor has
gone through during the last six or seven
years has told even upon his vigorous consti-
tuition, and that his health is really not so
good as his friends would wish it to be.
1t is not wonderful that, in such circum-
stances, the question should be occupying the
minds of many persons, What would be the
immediate effect Of Bismarck's death
would the work of reconstruction and con-
solidation go on, or would it be
effectually checked? In modern times
no statesman has dared as Bismarck
has dared; nor has daring, either in modern
or in ancient times, ever been rewarded with
80 much success German unity has been the
dream Of German poets and the desire of the
German people for many generations but the
desire and the dream, up until 1866, in spite
Of certain efforts which resulted in failure,
seemed equally vain and foolish. What Ger
many wanted was a practical man to give
shape and form to her thoughts and Wishes
Such man must have mind to conceive, o
will to dare and endure, and power to give
effect to his thought and purpose. Such
man might have arisen in Austria. He might
arise in Prussia. It was not possible he could
be found in any of the smaller German States
At critical moment the Schleswig- -Holstein
koI .kcolf voI
the opportunity and the result was Sadowa.
Austria was crushed and compelled
to retire from what was called
the German community. Prussia was
mistress of Germany and Bismarck was the
master mind of Prussia. German unity if
not yet fact, had at least become prob
ability. The incorporation Of the Kingdom
Of Hanover, the subjection Of the Kingdom of
Saxony, the confederation of North Germany
and the treaty arrangements with the South
German States revealed the tendency of events
as we'll as the force and purpose of the man
who was guiding the ship Of state. 1t was
doubted by some whether what seemed SO
grand on paper would stand the test of the
battle field. The Summer and Fall Of 1870
brought another opportunity, and German
unity, which was encouraged by Sadowa,
became fact at Sedan. Since Sedan Ger
many is confessedly the mightiest Power in
Europe and Germans, everywhere the wide
world over, feel and reveal increased indi-
vidual importance. The dreams Of the poets
have become realities. The crows have fed
from the hill under which the Great Frederic
slept and the Emperor has reappeared.
All this wonderful work has been mainly
accomplished by one man. But for Bismarck,
SO far as the human mind can judge Germany
would to-day have been divided and weak
To him, in the great future, the praise and the
glory of unifying the Fatherland will be un-
grudgingly given. Unifcation is a fact but
consolidation is only in progress If Bis
marck's brain was necessary for the one task,
it seems to us indispensable for the other. In
questions to settle. Now that the war is over
the smaller States feel and fret at the loss of
their individual importance. The nation has
won Prussia has reaped all the glory; but
they have lost The Catholics of the Empire
are exasperated almost to the point of revolt
by the harsh measures of the Chancellor,
sanctioned by the Protestant majority in the
National Council. Towards Prussia the King
CT Saxony has become cold and the King of
Bavaria is sullen. It is the strong hand Of
Bismarck which holds the Empire together.
1t is his stern policy which prevents the out