The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-08
OBITUARY..

FREDERICK WILLIAM, ELECTOR OF HEsSE
cable report from Berlin under date OF yester.
day, the 7th inst, announces the death OF Fred
erlck william, Eector OF Hesse The Elector and
Landegrave Of Hesse, Frederick william, was born
on the goth OF August, in the year 1902. He was,
consequently, seventy-two years OF age at the
time Of his decease-nve years younger than Kaiser
William, with whom he has Witnessed many I'm
portant changes in the governments Of Europe.
and shared the exctements OF some OF the most
stirring phases In the history OF Prussia. Having
served as co-regent IN the Electorate OF Hesse he
succeeded to full power the Goth November. 1S47.
The Elector contracted q morganattc marriage
with Gertrude Falkenstetn, created Princess de
Hanau and Countess de Schumbourg In the year
1881 but was again married to Princess Of the
royal house OF Prussia The first named lady was
the divorced wife OF Prusslan offlcer. He had
many children born to MIN. He descended III q
direct line from Henry l., the common ancestor OF
the three families OF Hesse. His successor is
Prince Frederick, one OF his cousins. The Elector
distinguished himself by his reactionary ardor in
ls49 during the Ministry OF the notorious Has
senppfug. The country OF the Electorate or Hesse
was invaded by the Prussian troops in the
month OF June, 1866. Bismarck then sus-
pecting that the Elector was endeavor-
ing to stand ON the "fence" with Hessc
between Prussia and Austria. The English
people approved of the oct at the moment The
Berlin correspondent OF the London Times, writ.
ing the 18th OF June, 1866, said :-"rne Elec-
torate OF Hesse has been invaded account OF
Prussian summons The Elector was packing up
his plate and preparing to leave Tor Frankfort
but the people showed that thew did not intend to
let him on quite 30 easily. Crowds assembled,
raising revolutionary cries, and vowlng they would
make MIN share IN the sunerlngs ne had entailed
June may prove TO be the last day OF his reign.
Prince Frederick William or Hesse-Cassel, his
day summoned to Berlin aud offered the
regency OF the Electorate after the
ance TSe Pnce Whose we is Sister Of
Prince Frederick Charles OF Prussia, the CON-
mander-ln-Cnlet in saxeny Is SAID to nave as.
to welcome to the throne any successor of the
despicaole tyrant now trembling in ms paiace, the
marck Is likely to take place within lew days.
The old Eiector, whose character is moral
enormIty in this nineteenth century OF ours, has
not only violated Ior years every clause or the
constitution he had taken the oath TO observe,
but oy the CRYING 81 ms 81 Iamy lie DE-
Some SIX years ago Count Bernstorn, then Prus-
sian Minister OF Foreign Affairs, compelled him to
had presumed to abolish altogether. He
yielded to force. recognized the charter
a anysrnmen in tbs country s snoWse %
indulge bis evil propensitles once more, took
his revenge in way unprecedented In the annals
wages, at least Tor absolut1sm. For years past he
has neither sanctioned any OF the laws proposed
by his Chamber nor allowed his government to In
troduce any bills While thus endeavor!ug to rum
his SUBJECTS, whom he bitterly mates ior having
repeatedly restrained his innate depravlty, ne was
known TO beat his vile and servants and In
number OF well authenticated instances to have
been subjected TO acts OF fetrlbutve justice by his
impatient victims. Nay the very streets OF Cassel
and Frankfort have WI messed personal encounters
between the stammerlng. squintlng holder Of arbi-
trary power and his subjects, whO by the
combined pressure OF Austria, Prussia and
the Bund, were prevented from oustng HIM
from his dcmlnions. How he came by his
vile, a morRanatc lady, and how he behaved to
his father and his Sons, and now his sons requteu
his many acts OF paternal tenderness will lot
here detail. Suffice 1t TO say that his Court mas
been a standing scandal in this part oil the world !;
that boIh he and his have long been Cut OF from
all intercourse with their equals and that his
reign mas, more than anything else, contributed
TO wer the Institution Of royalty IN the eyes Of
the nation.- Imperial Germany mas since sertled
the scandals and rhe properties OF the Elector.
and now he has gone TO his account at the great
ri a A