New-York tribune., 1874-07-08
THE LEGATION AT BERLIN.
,lp RANCRoTTs REFINEMENT.


close an important period in the history Of the
American Legation at this Court. l find that he
was accredited in August, 1867, that he has been
here seven years. To say that these seven years
are the most eventfu in the history of modern
Prussia OF Germany might provoke useless disputes
with people who recolect the Frankfort Parlla-
ment the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm ". the
Danish war, the constitutional struggle IN Prus-
sia, and the Austrian war. What may be called
the tentative period of German policy was over
when the new Minister arrived. He had no OppOr-
tunity TO see a King of Prussia refuse the Imperial
crown to see one National Parliament dissolved by
force and another one still more radical after being
turned out of doors by the soldiers, march through
the streets Of Stuttgart headed by DR.. Lowe and
the poet INLAND bareheaded. He came too late TO
see Bismarck make his fame, for SadOwa had been
fought, and the man of iron and blood was
famous. In August, 1867, the era of doubt seemed
m be over The North German Confederation
well organized, and though four of the Southern
States were not yet received into the fold and
France hung along the border strong Jealous and
monacug il was clear to politicians of less sagacity
than Nr. Bancroft that complete German unity was
only question of time. lie had only TO wait and
watch, and he did both with as much anxiety any
native
II the period from Sadowa were given almost
tIey 10 preparations for the inevitable conflict with
France, the three subsequent years have been well
occupied IN the highest sort Of work in constructive
politics. Ii is unnecessary say that the latter
followed with keen interest by diplOmatlst who,
besides being warm friend of tins country, was
scholar and a philosopher and historian. Prince
Bismarck has more than once said that his only
models were the federal system of Switzerland and
America. lie was not obliged to study the leagues,
more OF less solid, Of medieval states for he the
system. modified by centuries of practice, its worst
features wisely eliminated in the Swiss Republic.
liz LAD occasion TO prove the lessons and examples
Of antiquity for he had them profoundly analysed in
the Writings of Hamilton and Madison and jay, and
embodied, rs tar eXpedlent, IN the American
Constitution. Ii was natural in the circumstances
that Sir. BIucr0fts advice should have been often
SOUGHT. 1t must have been at once pleasure and
aduty for llr. Bancroft to watch and contribute to
the solution Of problems so ike those which he had
described in his owl history On a suitable occa-
sl3n-a dinner given him here by the Academy of
Sciences. the most exalted scholastic body IN Ger
many aud the University of Berlin the first school
Of lhe couutry-he explained the joy with which he
saw realized his dream of German unity, and the
fcryor with which he prayed for Its perpetuauon.
The retiring Minister loves Germany indeed better
than many of Aer own sons.
Mr Bancroft was fortunate in being sent TO a
country already well disposed toward the United
State. The e!uendship between America and Prussia
has been less public and osteutatous than that be-
tween America and Russia. 10 has NOT been held
70 the admiration of the world. But 1t is really OF
much older growth, since 1t dates from the Great
Frederick himself and has never failed 10 critical
moments. To- become an active and effective force.
II Prussia stood warmly the side of the North
during our civil war. and charged her Minister to
give the loyal cause all possible encouragement so
tie American people followed with sympathy the
course OF German unihcariOn. and were represented
at Berlin by Minister equally sympathetic But
We would not expect friend to show its goodwill
m wavs which might be misunderstood in other
quarters. This, l am sorry to say, is what was ex-
pecJed ot US IN 1870 If We're not openly sum
moucd 10 observe a benevolent neutrality" as
ENGLAND was. we owe our exemption To
fortunate treaty clause in part and
in part to reasons OF policy in the mind OF Prince
Bismarck himself. IL is worth knowing in America
that. aside from the treaty the Prince was averse
% any action IN the of the arms sold by our
citizens 20 the French, while the protest eyeed at
Great Britain for the oiense was by his dlrec-
tiOn. aud had his warmest sympathy. When he was
az Versailles the officials here inquired if America
should DE prosecuted like England. The Premier
SAID DO. After the war. a deputy once asked the
Prince in the lobby Of Parliament if he would
respond 90 an Interpolation about the case of the
United states This was soon after the Sumner
Sclurz motion for an investigation of the sales
OF arms To- France motion which caused a very
sore feeling here The Prince again deprecated any
agitation Of the subject. Il care nothing aboH the
United states" SAID he, but was resolved to give
those rascally English a lesson The good favor
IL which M Bancroft stood with this Court served
beyond doubt 70 soften the resentment of the Gov
eminent II not of the people, at proceeding which
wac at least rather shabby, in view of the steady
friendship that Prussia showed us ten years
earlier At least Mr.. Bancroft worked very
actively IN the matter do not know
whether he ventured TO offer excuses
where his Government had certainly offered none,
on just what basis he proceeded; but the affair
plainly regarded by him As serious one. People
here stu refer 10 the subject with evaporation but
they do not ike 70 dc 5ceud to the questions OF law
involved Il is hardly probable that personal esteem
for the American Minister had anything to do with
the Naturalization treaty. That was, suppose, a
pure triumph OF oglc OF perseverance, OF ability, and
n s regarded here, if not in America. as tue most
striking achievement of Mr.. BancrOfts term The
Sau Juan mat ter made more noise at the time 1t
was simpler and better understood, and II
was perhaps more highly priced because 1t
wa victory over the traditional foe But
10 justice 20 all parties II must be said that. the
basis which the question submitted to arbi-
uatlou, bat one judgment was possible. Between
the channel claimed by US and that claimed by
Great Britain there was practically ground for
argument; and while, a more general reference,
an arbitrator might have accepted the middle chan
nel' rejecting the extreme pretensiOns of both par
ties, the case was secured for by the limitation
named IN the Treaty Of Washington. do not wTite
tins 10 lessen Mr.. BanerOfts part in the case His